Nomadic Nature - Part III: Still Home, Still Moving
If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here, welcome back. If you have no idea why you’re here, I welcome you still and hope you leave this moment/space feeling better than you came.
This year, I am celebrating eight (8) years of recovery. Eight years of unlearning toxic coping skills, resetting my nervous system, and replenishing my mind, body, and spirit. On May 15th, I celebrated my actual reBEarth day. On May 3rd, I celebrated my natural BEarthday. #ThirtyFine
As I write this blog post, I’m in awe of how much I have grown and the power I’ve tapped into by telling my story. If you watched Naptown Narratives Season 4, you know I’m an open book when it comes to sharing my story and my perspective of my city, my community, and the village that raised me. My experiences planted the seeds for MRCI, my nonprofit that’s rooted in recovery, harm reduction, and sustainable care.
And if you haven’t watched it, check it out below (after you get your snacks, of course).
Now that I’ve had the opportunity to share parts of my story in two documentaries, I want to share more of how MRCI came to be and where we’re going through my own, very first multi-media project.
Before the van. Before life on wheels. Before I completely change my life, again… let me tell you the story about my evolution into the Nomad of Mercy.
When Grandpa transitioned in December 2010, I didn’t know how much that loss was going to shake me to my core. I didn’t know that I would avoid and stifle my grief for the next decade. Only to begin to face it when Mommy transitioned in September 2020.
To grow up as an only child of an only child, and then later navigate the feelings that came with being a grown-up orphan, has been a very lonesome and sometimes lonely experience. It wasn’t until I recently voiced this with a dear sister-friend that I realized just how much my desire to be nomadic is based on this very unique existence and perspective.
I first realized my nomadic nature when I decided, as a teenager, I didn’t want to have children (outside of specific conditions) and dreamed of living in a tiny house and traveling. I started to truly embrace it when I bought my first RV back in 2019 with my ex-girlfriend.
Fast-forward 6 years, after multiple near-death car accidents and living with chronic health conditions, I am finally beginning to live my life in a way that best suits me and meets my needs.
I’ve been blessed with a forever home by my Twin (best friend) and Big Momma (her mom). True divine intervention that has restored my faith in the care, love, and power of community, of having a village.
With my creativity and faith restored, I am excited to launch: Nomad of Mercy. This next chapter is a multimedia project covering the last eight years of my life. My recovery journey. The growing pains of building a nonprofit. The solitary work of staying alive and kind in a loud, hateful society. And what comes next as I prepare to take mercy on the road…
Right now, I’m enjoying the peace of housing security and exploring the rich culture and history of my city through:
Living like a nomad now, without yet having all my gear and wheels.
Preparing my mind, body, spirit, and finances for what’s ahead.
Rotating between libraries, green spaces, my office, rental cars, and wherever else the wind may take me for work.
This project is part podcast, part documentary, and part journal.
This project is my prayer and my praise.
It’s movement as medicine.
It’s mercy in motion.
The goal? To have an RV or van and spread grace, love, and mercy wherever I go by next winter.
Stay tuned for:
🎧 The first audio teaser
🎨 A chance to vote on art related to the project
💸 Additional Patreon tiers to help fuel the road ahead
Like what you’ve read? Don’t forget to let me know what resonated with you.
I create content and share my life experiences to show how I tapped into my intrinsic power and turned my pain into purpose through recovery.
I’m grateful to still be here. As long as I am blessed to be alive, I will be a blessing to others.
Support the work I do through MRCI.
For more content and conversation, join our community of Kinfolk, Nomads, and Pen Pals on Patreon.
