AlmostFearless.com

What is this?
Where it all began

About

Welcome to AlmostFearless.com- a blog that follows one woman’s journey from corporate manager to full time traveler, writer and lay about.

My name is Christine Gilbert and in July 2008 I took the leap from being a manager in a large Fortune 500 Company to being a freelance writer–traveling and working remotely from anywhere. Some people call it being a digital nomad, location independent, vagabonding, or even flashpacking. All I know is that I live where I want, earn a modest living as a freelance writer and travel when the mood strikes– all thanks to a good wifi connection and strong coffee. In July 2008, I sold all of my belongs, and began my full time traveling adventure. So far I’ve traveled around 13 countries and over 20 cities.

From Corporate Perks to Homeless Vagabond

I always wanted to travel the world. Who doesn’t? But somehow I ended up trading in my 20’s for a job I didn’t love, money I didn’t need (but happily spent on things I didn’t need), and a burgeoning sleep problem. One night after I ran out of valerian root and melatonin, I stayed up all night looking through job listings in my field. I realized something—I didn’t want to do any of them. None. I could change my job, change my environment, but the work itself had become excruciating.

It was time to take the leap and start over. I would finally pick up that writing career I had been tinkering with for years. I would start living the life I wanted now, instead of waiting for some far off reward. My husband and I would sell everything and move abroad with our two dogs, Molly and Jack.

What’s the worst that can happen?

Why I Write this Blog

When I was first thinking about leaving corporate life, I spent too many hours researching, pouring over travelogues, trying to get some sense of what it was really like to give up everything for long term travel. I kept looking for someone like me– late 20s/early 30s, married (but no kids), workaholic, uber-ambitious and normally quite cautious (oh and if they have two big slobbery dogs, bonus). I never found exactly what I was looking for, but I promised myself I’d document the process for others, as best as I could. In that vein, I’ve tried to be as honest and open as possible– even if that means admitting my own doubts and struggles. I think what I was looking for all those months ago was some small measure of reassurance, that I would be okay, that I wouldn’t regret it, that I ‘d be happy with my life and my decision. I am, I never did and absolutely.