The Attempt to Live Anywhere

Spoiler alert: this story does not end up with me winning, so temper your expectations now. But buckle up, kids, you’re in for a wild ride.

Several weeks ago, I entered a dream contest through @airbnb for the opportunity to live nomadically in Airbnbs around the world for a year.

When you enter these types of things, you never expect to hear back. You give it your best shot, imagine winning only for a few seconds, and then continue on with your life.

But I did hear back. Out of hundreds of thousands of applicants, I was advancing to the next round.

I then submitted a 2 minute video explaining why I was the perfect candidate. In 120 seconds, I exuded enthusiasm, shared a tiny bit of the Forced Joy Project, and explained that living a bold and unconventional life is totally my jam.

Once again I made it to the next round. I was in the top 40. A zoom interview later, which, in my humble opinion, I crushed, and suddenly I was in the top 20.

Top 20, out of hundreds of thousands of people.

Up until this point, I didn’t let myself imagine fully how this would change my life. I would be too crushed if didn’t win.

But here I was - 20 people and one interview standing between me and this dream of living nomadically around the world…

The last several weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions. My mind flipping between the pull of daydreaming about a different life and the push back of not allowing myself the space to imagine that life.

24 hours went by and I heard nothing. 36 hours later, silence. 48 hours. crickets. And then, a full week later, I heard: I would not be one of @airbnb’s chosen few.

I was devastated.

But now, 10 days - and whole lot of perspective - later, I’ve realized this:

I am not a traditional person who wishes to live a conventional life. The 9-5 job. The being in one place. The living to work instead of living while working. It’s not for me.

Applying - and coming oh so close to winning - gave me the chance to tangibly and thoroughly imagine myself living in that unknown. And I can’t go back.

I want to travel the world. I want to see other cultures. I want to work remotely and live where I feel like it. I want to make waves and leave a positive footprint around the globe, coming back to my little house on the lake when I need peace.

So I may not spend the next 12 months living and working around the world with free lodging and free airfare from Airbnb, but I will spend the next 12 months (and all the future days I’ll be fortunate to get) having all kinds of grand adventures (starting with a trip to Portugal in September - then after that, we’ll see).

We’re not all supposed to take the same path. The house, the white picket fence, the kids - that dream isn’t for everyone. Be bold enough to chase the things - and especially the life - that brings you joy.

And never be afraid to enter the damn contest, because who freaking knows, next time, you just might win.