Why I Pressed Reset on My Life Before Covid-19

3 Signs it was Time to Make a Change

1.  As a U.S. citizen, just tired of watching us struggle with issues that other countries had tackled – like, 

• Health care and Universal Basic Income (UBI)
• Massive incarceration and over zealousness for the “love” of guns
• Inadequate social security for seniors and imbalance in Education
• Systemic racism 

Don’t judge me because I’m not saying problems don’t exist everywhere.  I am saying, however, Life is just short!!  I had earned a graduate degree, was in a doctoral program I wasn’t passionate about, had businesses that were profitable and others that were failures, gone through some traumatic family losses and wasn’t happy. These are my reflective thoughts. Kathleen Peddicord, International Living expert said it this way – 

“You know, maybe it doesn’t bother you… but it sure bugs me that all you see in the papers these days are stories about war, politics, and economic catastrophe.. . .But the thing is… what you don’t get in the papers are reports about attractive alternatives overseas (in Europe, Asia, and Latin America) where people are friendly, crime is almost non-existent, the health care is excellent. . . .”

2.  I found myself binge watching HGTVs International House Hunters; it was the reality show that gave me LIFE.  People like Kathleen gives me Inspiration.

But I still had to see for myself. The people on the HGTV episodes – that’s their story, their life, their experience. As with Kathleen, her story while amazing as it is, is her story, not mine. I am, Arnitha, and I am writing my own story. I can draw inspiration and facts from others but I need to control my own destiny. That, my friend, is what I want to share with you.  

It is not a cliche.  You can create the life you want. I did it! You can too.

I stated there were 3 things that made me press RESET so here’s the third:

3.  I took actionable steps to start traveling extensively, expanded my inner circle, started investing in real estate outside of the United States, and created a lifestyle that enabled me to make money from anywhere.

I did not do this through a Teach Abroad program. Although I looked into most of those opportunities like Go Abroad because I am a Licensed Teacher and I was already in Partnership to take American Students abroad for trips under World Citizens Academy. I did not do this through a Remote Work program. Although I looked into those programs as well, Remote Year, World Nomads, etc. and I did not go the backpacker route; although that is the cheapest and most budget conscious way to cover a lot of countries. I am not a believer of ‘cheapest is best’. You have to know yourself, know where you are willing to cut costs and where you are not. I look for the best deals but not at the expense of being uncomfortable, unsafe or low standards. That is a discussion for another time but for now I want you to know that I didn’t even accept a job overseas before leaving. I considered that path also but decided against it because I didn’t want to be locked into a contract. I networked with other women living abroad, including purposely reaching out to black women living abroad, but was unable to connect with them once I was on my journey. I can share thoughts about all of these options but, suffice it to say, NO, I didn’t follow these most common paths. I packed and left on MY TERMS. I did it my way so that I could have the flexibility to enter a country, leave a country, explore, learn, network, etc. on MY TERMS and it was the best decision I ever made.  

Would it surprise you to learn that most of the fears I had were dismantled? Would it surprise you that I did this SOLO?  Or that my eyes were opened to possibilities in life that I could hardly process. I was overwhelmed with opportunities, generosity, kindness, genuine interest, real conversations with people everywhere I went. I felt VISIBLE in a way I hadn’t experienced for a long time. I experienced a FREEDOM OF BEING as the layers created over the years slowly faded.  Preconceived notions of how others see me became unimportant and listening to the stories of others resonated deeply.  Especially when I ran into Expats from the US or just other American Travelers.  I am certain we had conversations abroad that we may not have had in other circumstances, if for no other reason than our paths would not have crossed.  An inquisitiveness and respect shows up when you meet on foreign soil that rarely happens at home and that experience is deep.  This was the first time I was traveling not as a vacationer and it was life-changing.  When the question would arise, “How long are you here for,” I would often respond, “I haven’t decided yet.”  

What I learned I can’t put in one blog post or article. But I want to spread it like wild flowers! 

I hope you stay with me on this journey because I’m just getting started. Let me show you how to do it your way; start a business you can take anywhere, travel on your terms or perhaps travel with your tribe of Travelpreneurs.  Let’s grow international connections, invest in markets that give the best prospectives to earn income and Live our best life.

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Arnitha Webb, is a Travelpreneur. Creator of MsTravelpreneur, NikiCay-Marbella and eLAB for Entrepreneurs.