I met Racheal during this year’s Bansko Nomad Fest and was instantly struck by her energy and enthusiasm as a new nomad. I especially love her origin story of chucking her career as a nurse to hit the open road. Follow her unique (and fun!) nomad life via Instagram: Travelby.Knight
9 Fun Facts
First Name: Rachael
Age Range: 30s
Nationality: USA
Nomadic Stance: Aspirational
Last Corporate Job: RN at a hospital
Current Job: Content Creator
Favorite Country: Thailand
Next Stop: Italy
What do you like best about the nomadic life? Choice
2 Questions
1) As a new(ish) nomad, what are you finding most challenging and how do you resolve these challenges?
As a new nomad, the most difficult thing for me is letting go and finding balance. Occasionally, when I wake up late in the morning, I often feel like I’m late for something or guilty for not having something already completed.
Trying to find balance between these mental challenges and just letting go and enjoying my nomadic journey feels never-ending. In order to overcome these mental blocks, I take time to pause and self-talk, reminding myself of all that I have to be grateful for.
2) How has your nomad life changed or impacted your personal relationships?
I met a guy while on vacation in Costa Rica, and he was from Chile. We didn’t say much, just exchanged numbers, and that was it. Six months later, we were on a two-week trip together camping throughout Patagonia.
This experience, both traveling and exploring Patagonia and exchanging our world views, woke me up and made me realize how much of the world I’m missing out on.
Have you ever met a person who prompted you to change your life? Was it for the better? Do you, too, have mental challenges as a nomad?
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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked “Explore the World with Nomads.”