Living Beyond Limits

get lost in the right direction

By Christina Nguyen

August 13^th, 2018

One Year later

I started this website exactly 54 weeks ago as a tool to reflect, and to share my stories. I kicked off my first post addressing some frequently asked questions about my upcoming year of adventures. I've decided to take another stab at answering the same questions with the year now under my belt.

What exactly are you doing?

August 2017: I am NOT quitting my job and taking a year long vacation around the world. I am staying in my current role and transitioning to a full-time remote employee while also joining an external program called The Remote Year. Remote Year is a yearlong program bringing together a community of ~75 entrepreneurs & professionals across the globe from a broad set of industries. We will spend a year working and traveling to 12 cities around the world, connecting to local culture & business ecosystems. My goal through this program is to pave the way for digital nomads by leveraging technology and shape the future of work while simultaneously strengthening my cultural agility and global dexterity.

August 2018: I'm still working full time, and living a location independent life. The shift in lifestyle has forced me to re-allocate my leisure time. Free time is usually filled with exploring, and immersing with my surroundings, or digging within to invest my energy towards activities, and projects that I am passionate about to help me grow personally, and professionally.

How does it work?

August 2017: I am paying a flat monthly fee to a company. They will plan my trip which includes housing, transportation, and a remote office space. This is not paid for by my employer... you can think of it as the equivalent of paying rent. This works out nicely as we are all still full-time employees busy working so we leave the logistics to the experts.

August 2018: Remote Year has been an incredible resource to help make the transition to the digital nomad lifestyle as easy as possible which has enabled me to continue to be successful in my career. There are dedicated Program Leaders (whom I call my momma bears) who travel with the group, and take care of the operations. In addition, each city has a dedicated local team who help make the experience unique. There's never a shortage of events, and activities to partake in that have been carefully curated by the team.

Where are you going?

August 2017:

September- London, United Kingdom (not part of Remote Year)
October- Split, Croatia
November- Prague, Czech Republic
December- Lisbon, Portugal
January- Kyoto, Japan
February- Chiang Mai, Thailand
March- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
April- Buenos Aires, Argentina
May- Cordoba, Argentina
June- Lima, Peru
July- Medellin, Colombia
August- Bogota, Colombia
September- Mexico City, Mexico

August 2018: All the cities above were officially part of my itinerary but little did I anticipate how many "side trips" I would take in between. In addition to living in those cities I visited the following places:

October- Zagreb, Hvar, Trogir, Primosten, Omis, Paklinski Islands, Plitvice Lakes (Croatia)
November- Brno, Mikulov, Lednice, Nizbor, Hrensko (Czech Republic)
December- Sintra, Costa de Caparica, Azore Islands (Portugal)
January- Tokyo, Kawasaki, Nara, Osaka, (Japan)
February- Bangkok & Chiang Rai (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City & Vung Tau (Vietnam), Siem Reap & Angkor Wat (Cambodia)
March- Seremban, Cameron Highlands, Ipoh (Malaysia)
April- Iguazu Falls (Argentina & Brazil)
May- La Cumbrecita (Argentina), Austin & Houston (USA)
June- Cusco, Rainbow Mountain, Machu Picchu (Peru)
July- Guatape, Cartagena, Nemocon (Colombia)

Where are you going to live when you come back?

August 2017: No idea and I'm not worried about it. This last year has taught me that opportunities will present themselves in the most miraculous ways when you allow yourself to be completely open and present.

August 2018: I'm excited to finally close the gap on long distance, and relocate to Houston temporarily to be with my love. We're both planning to move to Austin, Texas next year! Although I am setting up a home base I am still working remotely so I plan to continue the travels, but at a slower pace.

What are you going to do with all of your stuff?

August 2017: It's time to say goodbye to EVERYTHING. I've gotten rid of my apartment, car, furniture, and most of my clothes. If it's not coming with me in my 50-pound suitcase for the year then it's safe to consider it gone. What a liberating exercise!

August 2018: The one suitcase for the year didn't afford me to accumulate much over the year so I'm coming back to minimal things. However, this year has given me a whole new perspective on consumption. Key takeaway for future purchases is to buy less, and choose well.

What does one pack for a year?

August 2017: Good question! I'll let you know in a future post after I've figured it out :)

August 2018: It's been entertaining to see what everyone else packed. People brought everything from 18 pairs of colored sunglasses to their Grandma's ashes....what I learned is that you should pack what is most important to you, and brings you happiness. My favorite item that I've had with me all year is my chef's knife. Cooking has been such an important aspect in my life, and having the right tools in the kitchen has made a world of difference.

And the most popular question...why are you doing this?

August 2017: Somewhere along the journey, I learned that life wasn't about getting and having, it was about living and being.

Professionally: Technology has globalized our world. In my line of work, developing global solutions to universal problems is a requirement. You can't develop a truly global mindset without putting yourself in novel environments to transform the way you think, act, and empathize. My decision to move from Austin to Boston has taught me more things than I can list so this is a similar decision but just on slightly different scale.

Personally: Being truly happy takes practice and is a choice. Whether it's learning to let go of your ego, being more present, or figuring out what it means to live with intent...it takes practice. My life has always been shaped by the experiences, stories, and connections. I'm here to live a little louder through the inspirations of all the places I've never been to and all of the faces I have yet to meet.

August 2018: All of the above still rings true for me still. Going into this year abroad I didn't have too many expectations, or goals. Quite honestly I spent the better part of a few years prior feeling unsure of what steps to take next in life. I finally accepted that I needed to go beyond where I was. Limitations, and boundaries only exist at the places where you stop going beyond. And going beyond is infinite in all directions.

Remote Year came along at the perfect time, and my attempt to escape reality just gave me a larger dose of it. Reducing all of the mental, and physical clutter gave me the confidence to take even bigger risks, and that was facing the truth within myself. I stopped trying to hold myself together within my comfort zone. I became devoted to freeing myself from the limits of my own mental model. I let my surroundings, and all of the people inspire me. I tried new things, explored creativity, and recognized what I was good at. I honed in on what I loved, set intentions, and found purpose. Most importantly, I simply interacted with each day with a fully inspired heart. I began to understand that it will always be fine whether you feel like you have the answers or not. I finally relaxed, and leaned into the uncertainty. And when I least expected it, I fell through the infinite, and suddenly I was living beyond my own limits. And that is exactly where you will find clarity.