Let’s talk about goals and setting the scene for another prosperous year of solo travel.
Goal setting for this year has been different than setting goals in years past. Typically, I would be setting goals to adjust something in my life, working out more, trying new foods, vacationing more, complaining less.
You get the point.
This year might be the first year I am fully embracing the New Year but as the same me. 2023 was a transformative year. One where I grew tremendously and challenged everything I considered to be my norm. I like the version of myself that came out of the adventures and trials of last year.
Over the course of 2023 I spent my time working to build the life I had envisioned for myself and this year, there isn’t anything I really aspire to change. Outside of adding a few more lived in states to my US map!
There are always going to be things that I would like to continue to work on and push myself to be better in. The three main goals that I am working towards this year include continuing to push the boundaries of my comfortability, expanding my network within the digital nomadic community and working to build more interpersonal connections in the states and cities I am traveling to.
Starting with continuing to challenge my comfortability. I think it fair to say that in a lot of situations I typically play it safe, because that is what is comfortable. However, something great might be waiting for you on the other side of fear.
For example, this past weekend I completed some of the most mentally challenging hikes I have done thus far. At some points during the slick rock scrambles was I terrified? Absolutely. Will I ever look back and be regretful for pushing both my mind and body past their limits of comfortability? No. Because what was on the other side of my fear was an incredible view that I might not ever have the chance of seeing again.
I would like to continue to push these boundaries and see just how much I am mentally, emotionally and physically capable of. I am continuously amazed and in awe at the things I have done and accomplished.
Next thing that I would like to continue to work on this year would be expanding my network within the digital nomadic community. In the US alone, researchers say this community has some 17 million members.
That is a LOT of people. All of which are doing something similar to myself.
While I have made some connections through social media, in my day to day life I am not surrounded by a lot of like minded people. Which is fine, however, it would be nice to make these connections to better learn how to navigate this lifestyle. Possibly learning some tips and tricks from people that have been doing it for a lot longer than myself.
Along with expanding my network, I would like to continue to grow my own personal following. It is important for me to showcase that anyone and everyone can achieve a lifestyle like this if they choose. You have every right to travel and experience the world just as much as the person sitting next to you.
You aren’t too old. You aren’t too poor. You aren’t too fat. You aren’t too boring.
Literally anyone could be in my shoes. It just takes being brave enough to take that first leap. I want to be the reason someone feels capable of taking that leap.
The last thing that I would like to continue to improve upon this year is making even more connections with the people in the states and cities I am living in.
It is easy for me to get into the mindset of doing everything alone but it is important for me to try to be intentional about making interpersonal connections when I am out and about. Whether that is talking with the bartender asking for local recommendations or joining a gym and making connections that way. Just as I am trying to figure out my likes dislikes of the cities themselves, I need to know if I could see myself within the community of people that inhabit these cities as well.
This is something that I have to actively work on, which brings me to my word of the year.
Intentional.
I will be recycling my word of the year from last year as it is still very applicable to the things that I would like to see myself working on.
It is important for me to be going through my daily life with purpose and reason. Being intentional with my time, energy, company and efforts.
What goals are you working towards this year?