I spent the past week in transition, relocating from Scotland to Portugal as part of our ongoing nomadic journey. Settling into the next place is just one of the many things I look forward to. If you're contemplating a new transition, here are some hard-won tips to help you make the most of it. Plus, I'm celebrating my sixtieth birthday this month with exciting news.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. After 15 years as an independent content creator for travel and tourism, she has been enjoying extended stays abroad for the past decade, the inspiration behind her travel memoir, "I Could Live Here" (November 2023)
In a world that often emphasizes stability in midlife, I've chosen an unconventional path for middle age—a nomadic way of life. And, while not an approach suited for everyone, long-stay travel holds unexpected rewards. For me, it's a lifestyle that has unveiled the riches of uncertainty, change, and connection. Drawn from a decade of long-term travel, here are ten advantages to embracing nomadism in midlife—or at any stage of life.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. After 15 years as an independent content creator for travel and tourism, she has been enjoying extended stays abroad for the past decade, the inspiration behind her travel memoir, "I Could Live Here" (November 2023)
A new year is ripe with potential: 52 weeks, 365 days, 8760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds to choose differently, to perceive differently, to BE different. And, whether it's optimistic or delusional, I enjoy the act of creating new year's resolutions.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. After 15 years as an independent content creator for travel and tourism, she has been enjoying extended stays abroad for the past decade, the inspiration behind her travel memoir, "I Could Live Here" (November 2023)
It’s the first day of the new year and I’m spending it defining my intentions for living a better life, being a better person and traveling to greater creative expression in the new year.
Are you using the holiday to write the story of your new 365-day life chapter? Here are 20 of my favorite quotes to help inspire the journey.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. After 15 years as an independent content creator for travel and tourism, she has been enjoying extended stays abroad for the past decade, the inspiration behind her travel memoir, "I Could Live Here" (November 2023)
I need quiet to sleep well. I need high-speed Internet to work. I need to live in a natural setting to feel at peace. Until two-and-a-half years ago I believed unequivocally in the truth of these “needs.” Today I can get a good night’s sleep amidst a cacophony of barking dogs, exploding fireworks, and blaring music.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. After 15 years as an independent content creator for travel and tourism, she has been enjoying extended stays abroad for the past decade, the inspiration behind her travel memoir, "I Could Live Here" (November 2023)
There’s a certain comfort in leading an ordinary life, slipping into the cozy habits of everyday routines and donning the familiar masks of personal and professional identities.
But no matter how snug the habitual may feel, how secure the career, house, or marriage might appear, now and again life’s Big Questions (e.g. Who am I? What is my purpose?) simmer to the surface, casting a nagging net of uneasiness over my ordinary contentment.
So, with the hope of better understanding life’s deeper meanings, I open my heart and travel beyond my comfort zone in search of answers, different ways of thinking and universal truths.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. After 15 years as an independent content creator for travel and tourism, she has been enjoying extended stays abroad for the past decade, the inspiration behind her travel memoir, "I Could Live Here" (November 2023)
Most of us don’t set off on vacation to face our fears. But if there’s one thing the past sixteen months of living abroad has taught me it is that traveling beyond our comfort zone can be a bit unnerving. It can also serve to teach, inspire and challenge us to push through and return home bolder and braver.
The next time fear strikes, learn how to put your anxiety to good use with these tips from my recent article, Conquering Fear: 5 Tips to Help Get You Through Anything
What about you? What do you do when fear threatens to ruin a vacation? Share your tips using the comments link below.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. After 15 years as an independent content creator for travel and tourism, she has been enjoying extended stays abroad for the past decade, the inspiration behind her travel memoir, "I Could Live Here" (November 2023)If the idea of sharing your vacation with others is keeping you from booking the trip of a lifetime, here are four travel-tested suggestions to help you maintain your independence.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. After 15 years as an independent content creator for travel and tourism, she has been enjoying extended stays abroad for the past decade, the inspiration behind her travel memoir, "I Could Live Here" (November 2023)Yesterday I received the sad news that fellow travel writer, Lorry Heverly, “had passed away after a long struggle with cancer.” Those of us lucky enough to have traveled with Lorry remember her passion, sassy smile, and never-say-no zest for living life to its fullest.
Little more than a year ago, I was kayaking with Lorry in Alaska, months before that we were skiing together in New Mexico.
On Lorry’s facebook page this week, friends from Fiji to Fairbanks, Portland to Perth, have shared memories and photographs of Lorry enjoying travel adventures across the globe - each reminding us of the joy and boundless spirit with which she embraced life.
If there’s anyone who turned their bucket list into reality, it’s Lorry Heverly. So it was with a heavy heart that I re-read a blog post, 5 TIPS FOR TAKING YOUR BUCKET LIST FROM DREAM TO REALITY, I’d written weeks ago, but which published the same day I’d learned of Lorry’s passing.
Is travel on your bucket list? In honor of Lorry and those like her who inspire us to embrace life fully, go now. Don’t postpone those dreams for a day that may come too late.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. After 15 years as an independent content creator for travel and tourism, she has been enjoying extended stays abroad for the past decade, the inspiration behind her travel memoir, "I Could Live Here" (November 2023)I love helping people learn the ins and outs of travel, but I’ve always wanted to create a blog that covers a wider range of topics, and is relevant to individuals interested in taking the internal journey to a happier, bigger, better, and richer, life of meaning.
So I’ve decided to start a new series, THE INTERNAL TRAVELER, featuring topics like happiness, personal growth, and relationships, because no matter how far we travel, we take ourselves along for the journey.
This is the first in that series and I’d love it if you’d use the comment box below to share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions as we travel down this path together. Better yet, if you have wisdom, insights and experiences you’d like to share, drop me an email —I’d love to have you involved!
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. After 15 years as an independent content creator for travel and tourism, she has been enjoying extended stays abroad for the past decade, the inspiration behind her travel memoir, "I Could Live Here" (November 2023)