After a high-pressure career, Monique Giroux has done what many of us only dream about – pack up her life and become a nomad. She is singularly equipped to give us advice on how to accomplish the feat of letting go of our belongings and trading them for the road. We welcome Monique as our guest blogger. If you love this and want more, check out our interview with her and her newly released book Lost Intentionally.
The first six months of my digital nomad journey have been nothing short of a life-changing adventure.
As I reflect on my experiences, I realize that the unexpected events that have occurred have taught me some valuable lessons that I want to share with you.
1. Scrap the plan: As John Lennon once said, “Life happens when you’re busy making other plans.” I’ve come to understand this truth on a deep level through my own spiritual journey. No matter how much we try to plan and control our lives, the universe always has its own plans for us. And often, those plans lead us to unexpected, beautiful places.
Along the way, I learned a beautiful Japanese phrase called Ichigo Ichie, which means “for this time only and never again.” It reminds me to value each unique encounter with every person or situation as it is an unrepeatable experience that will never occur in exactly the same way.
2. Go slow: To fully embrace this philosophy, my partner and I made the decision to slow down our travels by staying in each place longer making more time for mindfulness practices. For me, that meant starting each day with meditation, reiki, and grounding walks. By slowing down, we were able to reduce our expenses, build relationships, and feel more connected to the places we were visiting.
3. We need surprisingly little: Letting go of material possessions has been a freeing experience. It’s easy to get caught up in the consumerist culture that surrounds us, but becoming a minimalist has allowed me to focus on what truly matters – experiences and connections. I travel with one mid-sized suitcase and a backpack and I’ve found that I don’t miss any of the things I left behind, and I’m grateful for the newfound sense of freedom and agility. It’s amazing how much we can accumulate and how little we actually need.
4. Be careful what you ask for: As a student of energy and a practitioner of forest therapy and reiki, I have come to understand that our thoughts and words hold immense power. We attract what we focus on, and the universe always responds to our desires, whether conscious or unconscious. It’s essential to be mindful of our thoughts and words, as they shape our reality. Early in our travels, I found myself in a negative mindset, longing for rest and respite from constant movement. Little did I know, I was unintentionally calling forth a significant change. When I said, “I don’t know what I want to do, but I don’t want to walk,” I unknowingly set the stage for a life-altering event. The very next day, I broke my leg and was unable to walk for nearly three months. The experience taught me how important it is to be aware of my energy and thoughts, as the universe always responds, and we must ensure our requests align with our highest good.
5. Dream big: As digital nomads, we have the opportunity to create our own paths and live life on our own terms. This is a rare and precious gift, so don’t be afraid to dream big and go for it! Take risks, pursue your passions, and never forget that anything is possible.
So where to next? While my partner sets sail on his round-the-world race this August, my plan is not to plan, but rather to be guided by the opportunities that arise and to integrate the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I will continue to support my reiki and coaching clients while continuing my spiritual journey, partnering with forest therapy guides on events around the world, meeting up with friends and family, and stopping by a few ports to say hello to my partner along the way.
Meet our Guest Blogger
After a 30-year corporate career in financial services, Monique took an early retirement, traded in her business suits for hiking boots, sold her possessions to pursue a slower-paced, minimalist, nomadic life. In 2019, she made a commitment to herself to live an anxiety-free life by finding calm and peace of mind after an enlightening experience in Bali. Immersing herself in study and becoming a certified Forest Therapy Guide, Reiki Master, meditation, and yoga teacher, she is now breathing deeply. Today, she works with clients to help them slow down and reconnect with their inner voice and intuition through nature connection, coaching and energy healing. Founder of Flourish with Monique, The Forest Guide Circle, the Flourishment Collective, and Homes to Zero, Monique travels the world sharing stories along the way publishing her bestselling first book in 2024, Lost Intentionally: The Inner and Outer Journey of a Spiritual Nomad.
