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This quote, which comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson, uses the ocean to represent one escaping the past and indulging in a new life. He is saying to quit dwelling on whats behind you, as it will keep you from flourishing into your future self. When you are truly living in the present and have evolved, you will have the answers you once dwelled on for so long.

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July 11th, 2018, I dipped into my watercolors and decided to paint a girl, which looks similar to myself, embracing an outdoor setting. I chose her placement to capture her beautiful reflections in the water and represent her fascination with the scenery. I wanted her to appear to be absorbing the nature. In the summer, when I made this, I become much more in touch with the wilderness which is represented in this painting.

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Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus are the creators of The Minimalists, a blog and podcast based on the minimalistic lifestyle. Josh explains that removing excess will bring space for more important things and recognition of your true value. They expressed, that by removing what's not needed in your life will help benefit your health, relationships, passions, growth, and contributions.

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"I ditched my phone, moved to Nepal, and it changed my life" By Kendall Marianacci (Article 2)

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"I ditched my phone, moved to Nepal, and it changed my life" By Kendall Marianacci (Article 2)

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In the article below, Kendall Marianacci recounts on her journey in Nepal, saying it, "...changed my entire outlook on life". While there, she learned to recognize the gift in every second of life. Without technology she was forced to go outside and explore new things each day. She came to the conclusion at the end of her trip that, "Life is about connection. It’s about standing on the ground and feeling the earth beneath our feet. It’s about looking up at the sky and noticing it’s beauty."

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At 19 years old, I dropped out of college and moved to Nepal without any contact to home. Well, first things first, I think it's safe to say I'm out of my mind.

A young girl moving to a third world country with no technology, contact to home, knowledge of the language, or understanding of the customs. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

The situation that led to this decision was simple... college. For me, college was an experience of sameness. I became overwhelmed with privilege and societal expectations that I needed to see who I was when I was stripped of everything that made me, me. Hence, Nepal. The experience changed my entire outlook on life and still continues to impact the way that I live.

Culture shock can be an instigator of change

When I arrived in Nepal late one night, I sat in van going to my hotel looked out the window and literally said, "What did I get myself into?" The streets were lined with power lines, it was pitch black, and all I could hear were the barks of stray dogs. Prior to this moment, I was so excited for this adventure. For the first time, I became nervous and scared about the decision.

I woke up the next morning to realize that everything in this country was different. I literally had to learn how to eat, bathe, and use the toilet differently. I had always had a fork and a knife available to me in the USA, I had no idea how to eat with my hands. It seems simple, but honestly next time you're eating rice and beans that are piping hot, you tell me how you eat it with your hands. There's a whole thumb action that is not intuitive that is essential to eating Dal Bhat. Not to mention, this was all I was eating! For the first time in my life, eating was no longer pleasurable it was a daunting task that was purely necessity to keep me alive.

Taking a shower? I'm used to using warm showers for however long and whenever I want. In Nepal, I was taking bucket showers, freezing cold water showers, or using public bathing taps. Showers became rare and a tedious task.

Using the toilet? I'll spare you the dirty details. But what I will tell you is that in Nepal, the toilet is a hole in the ground and there's no such thing as toilet paper. I had to learn how to wipe my ass with a pale of water and my left hand.

While having to relearn basic things seemed miles outside my comfort zone. The experience taught me about how differently the world operates. Not having my phone gave me no safety net. I couldn't retreat to the online world of Facebook and Instagram to give me familiarity. I had to fully immerse into this world that was obscenely different from my New York, suburban lifestyle.

It was embarrassing and hard to have to ask people for help teaching me how to blend into this foreign land. However, despite how uncomfortable it was it pushed me to have to expand my horizons and push the boundaries of who I was. It encouraged me to explore different sides of myself which instigated me to think about my own traditions.

Suddenly, I was questioning the way that I was cultured to think about things. Nepal had radically different views on fashion, body-image, religion, and priorities. The culture shock allowed me to normalize differences and truly experience them and adopt them into my perception and self-identity.

It wasn't until I returned home to New York that I realized how much I had changed. I became quieter because the Nepali people believed in mindful communication. They didn't just speak to fill empty air. They spoke with intent and purpose. I learned to listen and respond in a meaningful manner rather than just waiting to say my piece.

Nepal also pushed me to be thankful and appreciative of literally everything. This wasn't because I was neglected luxury while I was there like many think. It's because the Nepali people saw beyond a two dimensional image of things. They didn't see food as something you eat. They saw food as a gift. They looked at each other and didn't see just another person. Their greeting "namaste" literally means, "The divine in me recognizes the divine in you." Nepal taught me to compassionately recognize the gift that is every second of our lives.

Paying attention to the life in front of you opens a new world.

Not having any distractions of a phone and being immersed in this different world, I had to pay more attention to my surroundings. I took walks every day just to explore. I went out of my way to meet knew people and ask them questions about their lives. When this became the norm, I realized I was living for one of the first times of my life. I was not in my own head distracted by where I was going and what I needed to do. I was just being. I was present and welcoming to the moment. I was compassionate and throwing myself into life with whoever was around me.

I would look up in the sky often and recognize the beautiful blue and white swirls in a way I never looked at it in the USA. I danced in the streets with strangers or helped women weave baskets on the side of the road. Life isn't just about us. It's seeing beyond. It's not just looking and observing at our surroundings, but letting our curiosity take us to be a part of something bigger than what we know. It's stepping outside of our comfort zone and being with those who we know nothing about.

Living in Nepal wasn't hard. Almost everyone I talk to about it says, "You didn't have a phone or even a real bed? Sounds horrible." It was the best few months of my life because it was no distraction, no luxury, or fluff. It was a simple, authentic life that put an emphasis on the human experience. There was no distraction from what the purpose of life is.

Life isn't about going to work every day. Nor is about achieving happiness or comfort. Life is about connection. It's about standing on the ground and feeling the earth beneath our feet. It's about looking up at the sky and noticing it's beauty. It's looking into someone's eyes and recognizing that there is a whole life that brought this person to meet your glance. It's about letting go of what's familiar and jumping into the present moment with a whole heart and quest for further understanding of what it means to be alive.

When I ditched my phone and moved to Nepal, it changed my life. It taught me that all I have is this second. The only way to truly live is to be present in the moment with those around us. Life is too short to not eat with your fingers, dance with strangers, and fall in love with the sky. The only way to truly live is to step outside of our comfort zone, listen to our curiosity, and say, "Hi, can I sit with you?"

Thank you for reading.

Up Next: My story on intention and overcoming fear

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I ditched my phone, moved to Nepal, and it changed my life

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At 19 years old, I dropped out of college and moved to Nepal without any contact to home. Well, first things first, I think it's safe to say I'm out of my mind. A young girl moving to a third world...

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The photo below was taken by the famous photographer Galen Rowell. Galens interest in outdoor photography stemmed from his passion for the wilderness. He describes his photography style as "..a portrait of the earth as a living, breathing being...". His fascination with the outdoors is clear throughout his beautiful work.

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"Help Them To Learn (Help Them To Learn) Songs Of Joy Instead Of Burn, Baby, Burn (Burn, Baby Burn) Let Us Show Them How To Play The Pipes Of Peace, Play The Pipes Of Peace" Paul McCartney - "Pipes Of Peace" (Song 1)

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"Help Them To Learn (Help Them To Learn) Songs Of Joy Instead Of Burn, Baby, Burn (Burn, Baby Burn) Let Us Show Them How To Play The Pipes Of Peace, Play The Pipes Of Peace" Paul McCartney - "Pipes Of Peace" (Song 1)

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The song "Pipes Of Peace" is about moving past the hate that comes from nations at war. It sends the simple message, spread peace rather than conflict. We should be teach our children peace and acceptance, not how to kill

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"Living Off the Grid in Paradise" (Video)

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"Living Off the Grid in Paradise" (Video)

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In this video below published by Great Big Story, Warrick Mitchell shares of his outdoor lifestyle in Fiordland, New Zealand. In the national park he lives in isolation from civilization, with only a few dozen others. Mitchell relies mostly on the resources around him in the wilderness. He has a strong connection with the environment and hopes to conserve the national park and its natural glories.

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"And I told 'em about equality And it's true, either you're wrong or you're right, But, if you're thinking about my baby, It don't matter if you're black or white"  Michael Jackson - "Black Or White" (Song 2)

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"And I told 'em about equality And it's true, either you're wrong or you're right, But, if you're thinking about my baby, It don't matter if you're black or white"  Michael Jackson - "Black Or White" (Song 2)

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In the song below, Jackson shares his feelings on racism. Michael was a strong believer in equality. In "Black or White", he voices that he won't be defined by a color and won't define others a color either. He advocates that love is love regardless of color.

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Michael Jackson - Black Or White (Official Video - Shortened Version)

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This photo was taken April 9th, 2016, in Florida. I took this off my balcony in awe at the clear water and sky. Here I attempted to capture the landscape and the perfectly fixed sail boat off in the distance. The emptiness and peacefulness of the shore and water was inviting and had to be captured.

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The Other Cheek? (1989), John Keane (Image 1)

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The Other Cheek? (1989), John Keane (Image 1)

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This painting by John Keane depicts the destruction of war. Its more specifically showing the violence of the 1980s Northern Ireland conflicts and the tragedies it causes. He paints this to call for change and give people a sense of reality.

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In this quote from Emerson's book , Nature, he is expressing his passion for the outdoors. Emerson describes nature as the closest feeling to gods presence. To appreciate its power you must become one with nature. When that happens he realizes his place in the wilderness as a "transparent eyeball". He uses the eyeball to show he can see all things around him, but he’s transparent since he's there for the experience of solitude.

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Rosie The Riveter, By Norman Rockwell (Image 2)

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Rosie The Riveter, By Norman Rockwell (Image 2)

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During World War II, women were a huge factor in the war effort. Since the men were out fighting, millions of women were encouraged to join the work force to replace those jobs. Posters like this famous one by Rockwell, empowered women around the country to break from their housewife image.

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This short poem comes from Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur.  Kaur is suggesting we find answers within ourselves rather than others and material possessions. She suggests that we find happiness from our own ideas and beliefs. Rupi continues stating we must connect our mind with our body to “be whole”.

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"People killin', people dyin' Children hurt and you hear 'em cryin' Can you practice what you preach? And would you turn the other cheek?"                                       The Black Eyed Peas - "Where Is The Love?" (Song 3)

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"People killin', people dyin' Children hurt and you hear 'em cryin' Can you practice what you preach? And would you turn the other cheek?"                                       The Black Eyed Peas - "Where Is The Love?" (Song 3)

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"Where Is the Love?" raises concerns for the worlds sanity after the 9/11 attack. It also touches on police brutality and racism. In the lines, "Can you practice what you preach? And would you turn the other cheek?", Timberlake is referencing a bible lesson. He is asking the audience if they follow the bible when it says if you are treated badly, to turn the other cheek.

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The Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love? (Official Music Video)

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In Walden by Henry David Thoreau, Thoreau explains the importance of minimalism. To obtain luxuries and other unnecessary objects will distract from the true meaning of life. Focus on the present and remove the inessentials.

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In this quote, Thoreau is sharing his shortened reason for going to Walden. He went to the woods to live in solitude and off only the essential resources of life. He believed once he did that, he would understand the true meaning of life. Thoreau sought to do that before his death, so his life was lived to its fullest.

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"Alone Time" By Joshua Fields Millburn (Article 1)

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"Alone Time" By Joshua Fields Millburn (Article 1)

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In "Alone Time", Millburn explains his introverted lifestyle and its effects. He relies on his alone time to energize and focus on himself. Millburn finds it also benefits others around him as it is "the best version" of himself after reenergizing. In his hours of isolation he learned how to enjoy the sound of silence and listen to his inner self.

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I'm walking through a city in the Deep South today, alone but not lonely.

I used to think there was something wrong with me. Throughout my twenties, I followed societal norms, doing all the things you're supposed to do to be a normal, functioning member of society: going out with co-workers after work, spending every evening and weekend with friends, killing time with vapid small talk. Always engaged. Always on. Never alone.

But this constant interaction wore me out. Often, I wasn't pleasant to be around. It felt oddly lonely to never be alone.

Then, as my twenties twilighted, I discovered I was more affable whenever I carved out time for myself. (After all, I'm an INTJ.) But don't worry, this isn't a platitudinal reminder to "make time for yourself"; rather, it's a reminder to embrace your individualism- your personality.

Today, I spend copious amounts of time by myself; in fact, I don't know anyone who spends more time alone than me. At least 80% of my time is spent solo: walking, writing, exercising, reading, ruminating. In the process, I've learned to enjoy the sound of silence: to sit quietly and hear what's going on not just around me, but inside myself.

Yet the greatest benefit of prolonged solitude is that when I do decide to immerse myself in social situations-be it dinner with friends, a date, or on tour-I'm pretty awesome to be around. Not only do I benefit from my alone time, but everyone around me benefits, too: we all get the best version of me. I'm able to burst into social situations with stored energy, which actually makes most people believe I'm an extrovert since I'm able to engage at a high level and employ active listening, humor, and intellectually stimulating conversation.

I don't, however, recommend more alone time, or more social time, to anyone: life is not one-size-fits-all, so what works for me may not work for you.

Take Ryan, for example: as an ENFP, his personality is nearly the obverse of mine-he spends more time around people than anyone I know. He's the life of the party: naturally charismatic, funny, and likable. By nature, always on. As an extrovert he actually gets his energy from other people, and time alone exhausts him.

But classifying his approach, or my approach, as right or wrong misses the point. Both can be right-or wrong-depending on your personality, which is, of course, a continuum: even I, and my introverted ways, would hate to be sentenced to perpetual solitary confinement. Just as Ryan, and his charming extroversion, occasionally needs a break from his socialite lifestyle.

Ultimately, whether introvert or extrovert, man or woman, young or old, I recommend learning more about yourself: once you better know yourself, you can grow by easing into your discomfort zone.
If you'd like to take it, I found this free, attenuated online version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test.

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I'm walking through a city in the Deep South today, alone but not lonely. I used to think there was something wrong with me. Throughout my twenties, I followed societal norms, doing all the things you're supposed to do to be a normal, functioning member of society: going out with co-workers after work, spending every evening and weekend with friends, killing time with vapid small talk.