Kristie is a travel nurse, adventurer, and truth seeker on all levels. She employs wisdom and perspective that is clear, value-driven, encouraging, and absolutely refreshing. You can find Kristie at any moment with her toes in a lake, her elbows on the family table, or gazing at the wonderous views from the top of a mountain. She is a bright light of our future.
Being my own worst critic, I rarely give myself the recognition and applause that I maybe should. I’ll be the first to admit that. I believe that I can always do and be more and for that, I’m quick to humble myself. However, this morning as I fly back to my home state, I find myself reflecting on my journey thus far in life. And what a journey it has been. I’ve experienced a lot in my years and well, I’m pretty dang proud of what I’ve accomplished.
Sometimes I’m still shocked to be living this life. It’s surreal to me, how it all started to where I am now. I still catch myself playing back the moments in my head thinking, ‘did I really do that?’
Backstory: I was burnt out. I was working a job that I didn’t enjoy. At the time, I still loved being a nurse. I loved what I did. But the facility I was working at didn’t fulfill me like it once did. I dreaded going to work and I didn’t want that for myself. I didn’t want to be someone who hated their job. I didn’t want to settle for a paycheck. I wanted to not only thrive in my career but enjoy it too.
I was also bored. Bored with the mundane tasks of what had been my life for the last 3+ years. I was constantly searching for more and those searches left for wishing- wishing I was in a new area, experiencing new things and meeting new people.
I dreamt of a blissfully, happy life. One that was full of adventure and purpose. I wanted to fill my life with people, places, and experiences, that fueled my passions and elevated my soul.
In May 2021, I decided I was going to make that dream a reality. Because, ultimately, why not? I had nothing to lose and essentially everything to gain. I owed it to myself to at least try.
Fast forward, I found myself driving out to Montana in late September to begin my career as a travel nurse. I didn’t have much of a plan when I moved. I didn’t know anyone, nor had I been to the town I was moving to. Heck, I literally found housing just weeks before I moved. The only thing I knew for certain was that I was going to be living and working there for 13 weeks.
I stayed for 8 months.
I quit my job.
I left my friends and family.
I moved to a new state. Alone.
I left everything I had known for the unknown.
I created my life.
I made my dreams a reality.
I did that.
And I’ll do it again.
What did you do?