Bloom Where You’re Planted — 6 Things I’ve Learned From Living a Nomadic Lifestyle

Bloom where you’re planted.

I’m not sure who came up with that saying – but it’s been my mantra for the past couple of years.

We all have situations in life that we can’t control.

We all have road blocks that we can’t plan for. 

We all have life planned out — until life happens.

But somewhere, there’s someone with much bigger obstacles than you, making life work.

Accept the fact that you can’t control everything.

Life is about adapting.

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If you don’t know me — here’s a little background.

The majority of my travels aren’t by choice. I’m not some travel blogger who picks spots and has time to plan all these great itineraries.

My husband plays baseball — so we live where ever he plays during the season (sometimes multiple teams in multiple states / countries).

Right now — we don’t even have a home base. Our stuff is in a storage unit in Charlotte.

My husband can get sent down, called up, traded, designated for assignment at ANY TIME. Which has made planning ANYTHING almost impossible.

But over the past few years — here’s how I’ve learned to ADAPT.

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1. Stop Constantly Worrying 

Instability can = A LOT of worrying.

I used to lay awake at night thinking about the future. Baseball is not a career that lasts forever — for ANYONE — so at some point our lives are going to change drastically.

When my mom had stage IV cancer — I worried about losing her (a rational fear at the time).

But there’s a saying:

“Worry is like a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere”

How incredibly true. I’ve learned that unless you can do concrete things to ease your worry — there’s no point to overthink it. Cross that bridge when you get to it.

I spent so many nights thinking about what I would do without my mom – but then — she beat the cancer! Obviously, bigger challenges like that are impossible not to worry about — but I spent so many months in a dark place, fearing the worst, when I should’ve been making the most of that time with my mom.

2. If You’re Worried — DO Something About It! CONTROL What You CAN Control.

Think logically about your worry. Is there anything you can DO to make it a little less stressful?

Worried about money? Start a savings account. Start monitoring your spending habits.

For me — I’m making sure that I’m still reading, keeping up with current events, creating content, and staying in good “TV” shape, so if I need to go back to work soon — I can do it with as little of a transition time as possible. I’m also writing (this blog, lol) so I can stay somewhat sharp when it comes to storytelling.

3. Live in the Present

Stop constantly worrying about the future. Stop thinking “I’ll be happy when I — get a better job, have a house, have a family, get married, etc.” —

STOP PUTTING OFF YOUR HAPPINESS.

Do something TODAY that makes you happy.

Happiness is a choice.

4. Make the Most of Your Situation

“Losers make excuses. Winners make it happen.”

Don’t like the city you’re in? Look up the best spots and be a tourist in your own city. Chances are — there are probably cool spots — you just have to look a little harder.

Don’t like your job? Be so good that they can’t ignore you. Work hard. Treat people well. Make friends. There have been jobs that I HATED but I ended up making lifelong friends, so that’s a win in my book.

Plus — people who face no struggle in life are usually BORING.

Your struggles make you relatable. Your struggles make you stronger.

5. Simplify Your Life

What really matters to you?

Don’t let things weigh you down that don’t matter.

Mentally and physically de-cluttering your life can totally change your perspective.

I used to have a full closet of clothes for my tv-sportscasting job. Now I can fit most of my things in one suitcase.

And you know what? Not one of my travels have been any less memorable because I didn’t have the perfect outfit.

6. Don’t Go It Alone

Chances are, there’s someone else in your situation. Talk to them. It helps. Even just to vent. I’m so thankful for the other baseball wives who have talked me off a ledge time and time again.

Plus — doing all this traveling with my husband has made us so much closer. I’m really thankful I’m doing this with him by my side 🙂