All About Me!

Me & Andy Griffith, Mayberry USA

My name is Jena. I am a 43 year old mother of two mostly grown and out of the house sons. They are 18 and 20. After 3 years of trying to find a job and a place to call my own and at least 30 years of yearning to travel I have finally made up my mind to take a leap of faith. I have decided to become what is known as a Digital Nomad. It is a relatively new “career” but one that is becoming more and more common and one that will most certainly suit my particular needs (and wants!!) A Digital Nomad is a person who makes their living online, from their laptop, and travels while doing it.

I decided to write this blog for a couple different reasons. Sure it would be super cool if it became a big hit and I became famous….who wouldn’t want that? But mostly I am writing it as a way for my family and friends to keep up with how their crazy sister/daughter/mother/friend etc…. is getting on. I am also writing this because I hope that maybe I will encourage other people to live their life outside the box as well.

My plan is to have lots and lots of information on here about HOW to do what I’m doing!! And if I tend to use this blog a little too much as my personal diary I apologize ahead of time!

I hope you all will enjoy and please feel free to contact me or comment with any questions or suggestions!!

19 Comments »

19 Responses

on January 25, 2012 at 5:38 pm | Reply EL

Inspiring!

Safe travels to you!

love & light,

EL
- on January 25, 2012 at 6:12 pm | Reply learningtoliveoutsidemybox
  
  Thank you so much!!
  
  Jena
on February 4, 2012 at 11:21 pm | Reply Nan

Good luck to you and safe travels! There are a lot of women living and traveling in vans. For ideas and suggestions on making your van more comfortable and/or for mental support, check out vanincidentals2 on the yahoo groups.

NanC
- on February 7, 2012 at 11:01 am | Reply learningtoliveoutsidemybox
  
  Nan thanks so much for the suggestion of vanincidentals2 – I’m already a member/lurker on vandwellers yahoo group – I’ll have to see what is on vanincidentals2 also!!
  
  Jena
on February 14, 2012 at 12:28 am | Reply Jacqueline

I agree with EL–very inspiring! Look forward to reading more about your life and travels.
- on February 14, 2012 at 9:18 am | Reply learningtoliveoutsidemybox
  
  Thank you so much Jacqueline!!
  - on February 14, 2012 at 7:18 pm Jacqueline
on February 16, 2012 at 2:31 pm | Reply tlms337

Hey Jenna,
First, a big thanks to leaving a like on my new blog. It’s still under construction and that was encouraging. Secondly, I am equally thrilled to read yours. The changes in our lives and goals we are working towards as women and moms are parallel and it is always great to read about how others are doing it. I look forward to reading more. Good luck and stay sane!
- on February 17, 2012 at 12:59 pm | Reply learningtoliveoutsidemybox
  
  Thank you so much for commenting and your kind words!! I have gone back and read some more of your blog and every time I do I feel “good” and “inspired” and ready to get on with it!! So thank you and yes….let’s keep inspiring each other
  
  Jena
on February 20, 2012 at 3:24 am | Reply Desiree E.

This is so inspiring…I love meeting other women who are taking a leap and trying to make a life living, while still being able to travel…it’s nice to know I’m not alone. Best wishes to you!
- on February 24, 2012 at 1:21 pm | Reply learningtoliveoutsidemybox
  
  Thanks so much Desiree! As I am finding out….you are most certainly not alone!! I hope I can continue to inspire you!
  
  Jena
on March 1, 2012 at 5:19 pm | Reply Marcia Clarke

Interesting concept “digital nomad”. I’ll be sure to follow along see if I learn something along the way. I would love to find a way to earn a living online! I am not sure how I stumbled upon your blog, but glad I did.
- on March 3, 2012 at 3:36 pm | Reply learningtoliveoutsidemybox
  
  Hi Marcia – however it is that you stumbled onto my blog I’m glad you like it!!! Glad to have you!!
on March 8, 2012 at 3:51 am | Reply Spiritual World Traveler

Awesome!! I never heard of a Digital Nomad, but that’s what I am! LOL I lived in NJ and hated the cold, but had my own business. I figured out a way to be able to work from home and move to FL! After about a year 1/2 of doing that, I finally figured out I could travel and do the same thing! LOL Took me a bit, Duh! May I use that term?

What an inspiration to the world and more specifically, to your boys, to do the thing you love, regardless of circumstances! Love it! xooxox
- on March 12, 2012 at 2:45 pm | Reply learningtoliveoutsidemybox
  
  Hi There – of course you can use the term Digital Nomad LOL….I didn’t coin it. You should google it….also “location independent”. Thanks so much for the words of encouragement!! AND glad to meet a fellow Digital Nomad!!!
  
  Jena
on March 26, 2012 at 10:35 pm | Reply Currie Rose

Hello, I tagged you in a fun little wordpress game. To find it, go here: http://currierose.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/tag-im-it/
on April 24, 2012 at 12:11 pm | Reply natezackheard

So glad you are doing this! Shows the world that life is short, and to waste it would be the greatest of tragedies. I wish you well and I hope you find what you are looking for in life!
- on April 30, 2012 at 11:14 am | Reply learningtoliveoutsidemybox
  
  Thank you so much – I just love that I’m finding so many new and supportive friends through my blog!! I hope you will stop by again!
  
  Jena
on May 6, 2012 at 10:20 am | Reply Jesse

Kudos, Jena. I’m in the early stages of hitting the road myself. Picked up a conversion van yesterday. Checking into all the details of retirement and “makin a list and checkin it twice”. I don’t know where my road leads, but it starts in northern VA, Loudoun County. Maybe our paths will cross. Maybe not. But, sometimes you just have to jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down. Unless, of course, you’re hang gliding…
Jesse