Embracing the Nomad Life: A Letter from Eri

Have you ever dreamed of breaking free from the conventional 9-to-5 life and embracing a journey of endless possibilities? I did, and today, I’m living that dream as a full-time nomad, house sitter, and digital storyteller.

Like many of you, I once stood at the crossroads between comfort and adventure. The thought of leaving behind a stable apartment, a structured routine, and the familiar faces of daily life seemed daunting. But sometimes, life has a way of pushing us toward our true calling – even if that calling means living out of a suitcase and turning the whole world into your home.

In this letter, I’m sharing my journey from a desk-bound content marketer to a location-independent adventurer. It’s a story about finding courage in uncertainty, discovering beauty in impermanence, and learning that home isn’t always a place – sometimes it’s a feeling we carry within us.

Whether you’re considering a nomadic lifestyle, curious about sustainable travel practices, or simply dreaming of a different way to experience the world, this story is for you. Let’s explore what it truly means to embrace the unknown and live life on your own terms.

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First steps to becoming a Full-time Digital Nomad

My dearest friends were probably sick of me talking about making this leap of faith. I am getting rid of my charming apartment in Capital Hill, Denver. Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs nagged at me for having stable and consistent shelter and scared me that I wouldn’t have a home base in Denver to come back to. So much circulated through my mind, what about my stuff, what about a mailing address, what about my remote job (I loved going into the office for water cooler banter), but most importantly, what about my green girls (plants)? What about all the book clubs and social engagements I’m overcommitted to, I’ll miss out!

I realized in 2023 that I traveled the world and house-sat most of the year, only living in my apartment for a total of three months.

Why the heck am I paying rent? Subletting wasn’t in the cards with my property management. My dearest friends encouraged me and made me see that I was already doing the nomadic life. It was time to be untethered. Then I did it.

I sent the 45-day notice to my property management that I’m moving out.

I told my boss I would be working remotely full-time (he was also working remotely full-time, so it didn’t matter).

I secured my virtual mailbox in case I got packages, mail, and birthday cards.

I got my small storage unit.

Told my family and friends.

I invited all my friends over for a fare well brunch where I gifted them my plants (it was reassuring my green girls were going to good homes) and regifted my belongings that I no longer needed. Tote bags, a rafting float, reusable water bottles, and magic mushrooms. Yes, it’s Colorado.

I have a tight-knit community and I foster my relationships, near or far with virtual coffee chats, but accepted I would not be in-person for special moments.

Confidence is gained by taking the leap

“What ifs?” consumed me.

What if this doesn’t work out or that? I was the gatekeeper to living to my fullest potential. Self-sabotage at its finest. So then gave myself a pep talk: I am capable, I am worthy, I am confident and if things don’t go the way I plan, I’ll figure it out.

I did all the things that got me out of my comfort zone because that is where growth happens. I plunged into the uncertainty the wild nomadic lifestyle brings — where will I be next? To create the life I wanted to live. As hard as society makes it, I wasn’t going to let others define or judge the life I was living. Or put me in a box.

I embraced my differences and hoped to encourage others to do so.

Being a seasoned housesitter, I secured up my house sits for the next 3 months (live rent-free, baby!) and I’ll figure the rest out. I just needed to trust myself. That we don’t have to know what the full staircase looks like, we just need to take the first step. Living my truest, authentic, and most beautiful life will not be an easy one, and to let go of the lie it’s supposed to be.

Then a few months later my job role after 4.5 years was eliminated. I became jobless, I was by definition homeless (but not unhoused), but I still had my dignity and sense of humor.

And so, Wander with Eri was born.

The Nomadic Lifestyle Isn’t Always Glamourous

The nomad lifestyle is often glamorized. Influencers traversing the globe and taking staged photos in over touristic locations — I know damn well locals beyond the camera are disgruntled at their vain photoshoots. The reality is travel isn’t always glamorous. It requires resilience, curiosity, creativity, patience, flexibility, adaptability, and grit. We need backup plans upon backup plans, be resourceful, and improvise when needed. Accept that we may not have control over situations, but we have control over how we respond.

At times the nomadic life is lonely, and isolating, and sometimes it’s grappling with the emotions and privilege we have in an unequal world.

I grapple with seeing the darker underbelly of death, pollution, and destruction the tourism industry brings in so many ways. How can I be a more conscious and responsible traveler and put these practices in place? The bigger question is how can we travel more ethically and responsibly.

I want to educate and inspire other travelers and digital nomads about responsible and sustainable travel that respects local customs, communities, and the environment and a greater awareness of our footprint and impact. From housesitting, to travel and packing hacks, being more conscious of the resources we use, such as water, electricity, and transport we take on our travels, and supporting the local economy. To give more than we take. Travel and these communities are not our playground for entitled travel and reckless vacations but are homes of others.

While I may not have all the answers or solutions, and while it may be impossible to be sustainable 100 percent of the time, implementing small changes in the way we travel makes a big impact on others.

Most importantly, I learned to honor myself, my curiosity, and my life. What scares me most on this earth isn’t solo travel, but jellyfish and teenagers: they can smell my fear.

My Eternal Gratitude for the Outpour of Support

I am eternally grateful and indebted to my community, friends, former colleagues, fellow travelers, and family for their support in launching Wander with Eri. Providing feedback on my strategy, seeing my potential when I didn’t, and the words of encouragement when I felt like I was going to end up like any other travel blogger.

But we all have something unique to bring to the table. I’m not a polished influencer. I hate selfies. Staged photos. I love to capture candid, organic content. Make unattractive faces and know my content is not for everyone nor should be. All too often women are taught to be people pleasers, be polite, not rock the boat. I’m learning that when we stop trying to please the world, we are free to please ourselves.

“What we need right now is more women who have detoxed themselves so completely from the world’s expectations that they are full of nothing but themselves. “ Glennon Doyle

So what is holding us back from living this life we want to live? Is it the excuses we make? Fear of failure? Is it the misconception we need tons of money to travel? Is it the obligations, pets, family, kids? I’ve seen people do it: bring their dogs, bring their kids (world schooling). We make it work. We are much more capable than we think.

We pave our path because there are as many paths as there are people.

By providing educational and engaging content, I hope to inspire and empower you to add sustainability to your travel toolkit and become a champion of change on your next journey.

Slay the day, Erica “Eri”

Want to connect or get personalized travel planning assistance with responsible and sustainable travel in mind? I’d love to help make your travel dreams a reality!

• 📱 Social Media: Follow along on Instagram @wanderwitheri for daily travel inspiration and tips
• 🗣️ Travel Planning: Need help planning your next adventure? Book a 1:1 consultation where we can discuss sustainable travel options, housesitting opportunities, and creating an itinerary that matches your interests and budget
• 📧 Contact: Let’s chat about your travel goals, drop me a line!

Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Let’s take that step together!