Hi! I'm Jodi, the Founder of Solo Travel Tribe. I have been traveling solo since 2010 while maintaining a full-time job. In May 2015, after returning home from a trip to Turkey, I entered my apartment in Washington, DC, and rather than feeling grateful to be home, the first thought in my head was "how do I get rid of my stuff?" Since that time, I have been working toward a location independent lifestyle with aspirations of becoming a digital nomad. In the meantime, I use all my vacation time and travel as often as possible.
In an effort to begin my digital nomad lifestyle, I created Solo Travel Tribe to help others navigate the world of solo travel and to provide tips and tricks from sucessfully planning to finishing a trip. I intend to share my travel and wellness (mis)adventures on the blog. I have a passion for solo travel, photography, yoga, mindfulness, spending time with family and friends, and a general love for life and making the most out of every situation. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I want to help my readers find and pursue their calling. Life is short, so I hope this blog inspires you to make the most of it while it's here!
Hi! I'm Jodi, the creator of Infinite Exploration. I am a traveler, a dreamer, a creator, an adventurer, and an explorer. I am on a constant quest for knowledge and to discover my truth and purpose in life. I am always seeking to learn new things, ideas, and ways of life to better myself and the world. My most recent quest for knowledge and purpose revolves around my love of travel. Travel is perhaps one of the best ways to learn about yourself and the world around you. No amount of education or work experience in four years can accomplish what travel can in one month. Allow me to fill you in on the backstory...
In May 2015, after returning home from a trip to Turkey, I entered my apartment in Washington, DC, and rather than feeling grateful to be home, my first thought was "how do I get rid of my stuff?” That’s when it hit me. I wanted to continue traveling, but couldn't. I had used all of my vacation time. While my job is great with good pay and a ton of vacation time by US standards, it wasn’t enough for me. There had to be a better way.
That’s when I discovered this glorious concept called a “digital nomad.” A digital nomad is someone who maintains a location independent lifestyle while working online remotely. Essentially, as long as there is a laptop and internet, you can work and make money from anywhere in the world. You could choose to stay put while not being locked to a specific work schedule, and more importantly, it allows you to travel as often as you like. No more two weeks per year of vacation (okay, I get a little over four, but who’s counting). Essentially, it allows you more freedom to live your life and not be tied down to the typical 9-5 lifestyle society dictates us to follow. You want to work at night? Have at it. Want to go on a mid-day run? All you. Need a day off mid-week? No problem. Discovering that this type of thing actually existed was like hitting the lotto. Where had this idea been all my life?
Since this life-altering discovery, I have been researching, networking with fellow nomads and travel gurus, and learning as much as possible about the lifestyle and potential sources of online income. How could I make this dream a reality?
Number one was to save. In the last year, I have saved up enough money to live for a year without pay. It’s not a lot, but it's enough to fund my lifestyle in cheaper locations in the world (the polar opposite of Washington, DC). Considering I have lived paycheck to paycheck my entire life, this was quite the feat.
Number two is to determine a source of online income. I have done so much research and found so many great resources about making money online that it's overwhelming. There are actually so many options that it’s tough to know where to start. So, I’ve hired business coaches and am taking a bunch of courses to help me narrow my focus and perfect my strategy. The source of income is still a work in progress that I anticipate will be modified as time goes on. Eventually, I'll likely live off a few different sources of income.
Number three is mindset and focus. Since having this epiphany, all of my spare time is dedicated to making this lifestyle a reality. Whether it’s working on my blog, applying for freelance opportunities, learning a new skill (I literally coded this website!), or networking with others with similar interests and skills, that’s what I do. I read Tim Ferris’s book The Four Hour Workweek, and have been able to effectively employ many of his recommended tactics to being more productive with limited time. Everything I do now aligns with my end goal of location independence. My dating life has taken a 100% nosedive, but that’s because it doesn’t align with my new purpose. I have stopped staying out late partying with friends. I get up early to work on my side business. I employ new strategies every day to keep me focused.
Here I find myself in December 2016 and have finally set a deadline for my departure from the corporate grind. I plan to leave my job in February 2017 to pursue my dream lifestyle. I am so excited to pursue a life of adventure, new opportunities, and the unknown. While it is certainly terrifying to know I am leaving the stability of my life in Washington, DC, I know that I am not meant to stay in this lifestyle. My insatiable quest for knowledge, growth, purpose, freedom, and adventure is not meant to be stifled by the 9-5 grind.
Infinite Exploration was created to serve as my conduit for sharing what I've learned on my solo travels and digital nomad adventures with family, friends, and the world. I want to help people to pursue their dreams by sharing my stories and how I'm pursuing my own dreams and creating my own reality. The tagline "create your own reality" was born in an odd sequence of events
Solo Travel Tribe was created to prove that traveling solo doesn't mean you need to feel alone. Traveling solo but networking and socializing before and during your trip means you can gain the benefits of solo travel while not feeling lonely. As a life-long social planner, world-wide networker, and social organizer, Solo Travel Tribe was created to share my social wisdom with others who may be scared to go it alone. Further, I've created this tribe of like minded solo travelers in an effort to foster a community where members can offer tips, advice, and support, while also planning to meet with other members all over the world. I hope that the tribe inspires you to travel solo and to exceed in your own life calling, whatever that may be. Let's go!
