How Becoming a Nomad Has Made Me a More Effective Space Holder

How Becoming a Nomad Has Made Me a More Effective Space Holder

For most of my life, I sought security in control. I meticulously planned, organized, and held onto routines that gave me the illusion of safety. My perfectionism wasn’t just about doing things well—it was about ensuring I never felt the sting of uncertainty. But deep down, my soul craved expansion, adventure, and a deeper connection to both myself and others. My inner child wanted (and still wants) deep love, acceptance, security and belonging with others.

Becoming a nomad was not just a lifestyle shift; it was a radical act of healing. In stepping outside of my comfort zone, I’ve discovered that true safety isn’t found in control, but in trust—in myself, in the universe, and in the flow of life. And as I navigate this ever-changing journey, I’ve also become a more present, accepting, and effective space holder for others.

Embracing Different Cultures, Expanding My Perspective

Living in different cultures and being in places where I don’t know “my way” has humbled me and asked me to step outside my comfort zone. The only thing I have in these moments is my security within. Every new place offers a different rhythm of life, a unique set of customs, and a fresh perspective on what it means to be human. I’ve learned to listen more deeply, to ask questions rather than assume, and to honor traditions that are not my own.

This immersion has directly impacted my ability to hold space for others. By stepping into unfamiliar environments, I’ve become more attuned to the unspoken nuances of communication, more sensitive to different worldviews, and more adept at meeting people where they are, rather than where I think they should be. Healing and personal growth are not one-size-fits-all. The more I understand and respect the richness of human experience, the more effective I am at supporting others on their journeys.

Releasing Control & Finding True Security

Nomadic living constantly invites me to release control. I don’t always know where I’ll be next month, who I’ll meet, or what obstacles I might encounter. In each challenge, I am asked to surrender. To trust. To remember that I am capable, resourceful, and supported by the universe in ways I cannot always foresee. I don’t, and rather, I can’t plan 10 steps ahead. I have to sink myself into the ever-present NOW.

This surrender has been one of the greatest healings for my inner child. The perfectionism and control I once clung to were coping mechanisms—ways I tried to create safety in a world that once felt unpredictable. But what I’m learning is that true safety is not found in rigid structures or external validation. It’s found in the deep knowing that I can handle whatever comes my way. It’s in the realization that my security is internal, not something dictated by the external world.

A Journey Back to Self & Inner Security

Before becoming a “nomad,” I relied heavily on external markers of stability—job titles, schedules, my normal workout studio, relationships, a consistent home, work space, or grocery store. But now, my stability is and must be internal. I’ve cultivated a relationship with myself that is grounded in trust rather than fear. I’ve learned that no matter where I am in the world, I am home within myself.

This transformation has made me a more present and compassionate space holder. When we do our own healing work, we naturally become more available to others. We no longer project our fears onto them. We no longer try to control their process or expect them to heal in ways that mirror our own journey. Instead, we meet them with openness, curiosity, and deep respect for their path - for where they are now, versus where they think they “should be.”

This is why my mission of Guide to Be is to support people in finding THEIR path: the one that lives outside of what they think the should do, where they should be, what life path is most admirable, what labels are good versus bad. In Guide to Be, I am here to help people see and embrace the learning lesson they are currently in without forcing themselves to be elsewhere. I, too, am embracing where I am in my path now without the force of being 10 steps ahead and living in the future. I am here to drop my own labels (of therapist, of a MA, MFT behind my name) to meet my clients on the same level - as an equal. I am here to discover for myself and uncover for others that our labels only limit us. I believe we are here as human beings to free ourselves from the labels.

With that being said, dream but also allow yourself to root yourself into the beauty right around you, now. Root yourself into who you are without the labels of your past. It will open up space for your authentic future.

Surrendering to the Flow of Life

Nomadic life is an ongoing lesson in surrender. It asks me to let go of rigid plans, to embrace the unknown, and to trust in divine timing. And in doing so, it has freed me.

I no longer grip tightly to how things should be. Instead, I allow life to unfold, knowing that every experience—every challenge, every moment of uncertainty—is an opportunity for growth. And in this surrender, I have found a kind of peace I never knew was possible.

Final Thoughts

This journey of nomadic living is not just about travel. It’s about liberation. It’s about shedding old survival patterns and learning to exist in a state of trust. It’s about deepening my ability to hold space for others by first learning how to hold space for myself.

Every step into the unknown has brought me closer to the truth: that real safety comes from within. That healing is an ever-evolving process of letting go. And that the more I surrender, the more life opens up in ways I never imagined.

So here’s to the journey—the messy, unpredictable, beautiful unfolding of it all. Here’s to trusting, expanding, and holding space with a heart wide open.

Sending love.

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If you identify with these patterns: with perfectionism, control, and a searching for external security… I am here to support you. The Guide to Be Membership container is a beautiful space for metamorphosis for perfectionists ready to step off the never-ending ladder of climbing expectations and find rest and peace within themselves.

If you are in a relationship and want to be on the path to more awareness of your own inner child patterns, take the free 2 minute quiz to unlock your Relationship Archetype!