My mornings in St.John's look like this: wake up, get kids dressed, head to Coffee Matters, drink a cafe mocha and have Joon map out our walking journey that day. One day my sister took the kids and I went for a walk on my own. Something said to me, "try that little cafe on the steps you saw the other day." So I did. Though I couldn't remember exactly where it was I figured I would just walk wherever I felt like and I would find it. I did.
I tried to sit outside, but the tables were sticky. I looked for a napkin to wash the table off, but I couldn't find them in the cafe. I was getting frustrated. Looked like I would be sitting inside during this beautiful day. So I chose a seat in the back of the cafe. There were 50's style Jesus paintings on the walls, such a strange feeling of nostalgia I had while looking at them...
Then he walked in. Laptop in hand, eyes searching the walls. My headphones were on and music was blasting. But I caught his attention and motioned to the hanging extension cord at the next table.
I had all the recent albums I purchased spread across my table, my journal was filled with scribbles about the show I had seen the night before. I immersed myself in my writing again. Then a tap on my shoulder, he's offering me a bite of his chocolate something or other. I kindly turn him down with a shake of my head and a smile. Refusing to take off my headphones and break this amazing creative space I am in. So 15 minutes later and I am finished my first draft of my blog post. That's when I come back to reality and realize, he probably was the reason I was told to come here.
So I started up a conversation to see where it goes. Turns out he's a digital nomad. Someone who does his work via the internet and travels wherever he wants supporting himself all the while. This is exactly what I want to do. I want to find work that will allow me to travel freely. Not only is he a digital nomad, but he also hosts a meetup group to help other digital nomads share information and tips on how to do this successfully. I told him that I need a skill that travels and makes money (I can write, but there hasn't been much money coming in from that). So he asks me: what do you like?
I told him that I love human rights, particularily when it comes to medical situations. I describe to him my doula work. Then he says: I'm sorry but I have to interupt you, I just had a flash and I need to show you this:
It was one of his client's websites. They sell TENS machines and they are looking for sales reps. You choose your target market, you choose where to sell them. I could travel anywhere there are healthcare facilities and sell them... And yes that is right up my alley.
After another hour of conversation I had to go, I thanked him for the exchange. He gave me his email address to keep him informed on how it was going for me. I haven't emailed him yet, nor have I looked into the TENS sales opportunity. I feel like I need a year to sort things out, maybe during this year I will begin to look into those options. I try not to think of obstacles, but there is a fairly large one when it comes to me travelling with my kids. Making sure they get time with their father. They are not old enough to fly on their own yet and that only would come into play if their father was willing to change up his schedule with them. So instead, I am planning a 3-4 week vacation next fall and perhaps a few small excursions in the meantime, just to lightly scratch my travelling itch while my kids get older.
