When choosing to live a nomadic lifestyle it is incredibly important to practice balance. Balance in figuring out how to fund your trip, decide where to go, and also staying in contact with your loved ones back home. In my 22 years of life I have done a fair amount of traveling, however, a majority of it has been with friends or family. The trips I’ve taken alone have been structured around school so it ensured I’d meet people and have a comfortable fall back. Maui is the complete opposite. I came out here all on my own after graduating from college. I don’t know if this can count as the big “finding” myself trip or if I am just scared to join the big bad world of adulthood. I came to this island with full intentions of working on a nursery for a few days a week, spending time exploring the island, and getting my foot in the freelance door. This has not been as easy as it sounds. For starters it has proven to be difficult to explore the island without the convenience of a car. Hitching can only get you so far (in my case just Paia) and the bus system is not up to par with the public transportation that I am used to. However, I have made Paia and Makawao my stomping ground and I cannot complain one bit. I have also come to realize how expensive it is to live here. I had to find a real paying job in order to be able to remain living on the island. This was all well and good because my coffee shop job fell into my lap and I absolutely LOVE IT! The people at Sip Me are so kind and welcoming. They make the six mile bike commute with it. Starting the new job has limited my exploration opportunities and has required me to really start balancing my life between working on the farm, at the coffee shop, and exploring my backyard. This is an easy task because I am meeting the best people.

Another secret of the not so pretty side of living the nomad life…. Planning the next trip. I came to Maui knowing full well I’d be leaving after a few months. Ireland was my main plan. Dealing with visas, insurance, my program, and airfare all without sufficient internet can throw a huge wrench in the side of one’s plans. Shout out to my dad for dealing with me and keeping me calm. It is so important to remain level headed and calm about challenges such as these because you could go crazy. Keeping a positive attitude about how everything will work out in the end.

Living with complete strangers on an island can at times get pretty lonely. (I make it sound like survivor) The people I live with are all great and have become my Maui family. However, they are here for the long run. Making Maui their permanent home. They said goodbye to their mainland friends and family to live the island life. Before I came here I did not realize what a homebody I was and how much I rely on my friends and family. I talk to them on the daily and the time difference definitely makes it hard. I have learned life goes on both here and in my loved ones lives even if we aren’t together. It is an odd realization, but it is definitely part of living the life on the road.

Though I know I might not live the nomadic life forever it is a life I am enjoying for the time being. I love being able to be outside and enjoy the scenery around me. I love being able to see different parts of the world and work with new people regularly. I come in contact with the most amazing people everyday. This lifestyle isn’t for everyone and it is definitely pushing me out of my comfort zone, but for now I will continue to see the world in this way and appreciate the opportunities jumping out of the norm has given me.