Be A Local Nomad: Explore Outside + Within

Be A Local Nomad: Explore Outside + Within

Kindhumans ambassadors, and founders of PRSNT Adventure Retreats, Kjersti Buaas and Chanelle Sladics are all about the nomadic life, and offer a new perspective for local, sustainable travel. – KH

The nomadic lifestyle revolves around traveling, which to us is all about movement, adventuring and exploring. And you don’t have to travel far to be exploratory and adventurous. In fact, we are going to argue that you don’t even have to travel at all, because exploration can be done everywhere: in your local park, at beaches near you, through the hiking trails around your house, or even your own backyard.

Be a Nomad in Your Own Backyard

While we may think we have seen everything that needs to be seen in our own neighborhoods, the truth is, there is so much more to explore, especially if you are willing to look a bit deeper than the surface. Your garden can be a great place to start. Go outside and tune in with your senses, exploring what you see, hear, smell and feel. Be curious and open minded, just like a child, with no set agenda—just exploring for the pure joy of exploring. A fun activity is to have a peak underneath rocks and observe the incredible life that thrives there. You might see ants, worms and bugs crawling around. Try to be completely present as you observe these little creatures. It’s so fascinating, and if you pay close attention, over time, you will start to see patterns and paths of purpose. Because just like us, these little creatures play an integral role in this world. When you are finished, put the rock gently back down so you don’t harm them.

The Farmers’ Market Down the Street

Another fun way to explore locally is the farmer’s market. Put on some good shoes and walk or run from your house. Bring a reusable bag or three (they stuff down well). I (Kjersti) use a running vest that has pockets for two water bottles and my phone. I can even fit a reusable utensil set and hand sanitizer in there, as I usually find something yummy to eat at the market. During the summer months these markets are full of fresh fruits and veggies. Consider bringing a small reusable bag for berries. Talk to the farmers, ask about their farm and if they practice organic or regenerative farming. Explore with your senses and try a new vegetable, fruit or flavor. Grab a prepared meal from a food truck and use your own to-go lunch box.  Movement, exploration and an open mind—it does not get more nomadic than that.

The Inner World

Another new place to explore is the world within, especially as approached through meditation. If you have never tried meditation, an easy way to test the waters is to do a simple nose breathing technique. Sit with your breath and feel it underneath your nostrils for some moments. Let the breath calm you and take you inward. Really BE there with the breath, feel your body and be fully PRSNT. As your mind calms, you will start to tap into deeper layers of your consciousness. One tool we love is a tuning fork to help with the process of shifting the mind within. The inner world is full of things just longing to be discovered and explored. It’s almost like diving underwater—a bit intimidating at first. As you get comfortable with being present with your breath, you can dive deeper. Exploring the mind and the world within is as local as you can get, and you might be surprised by all the things you start to uncover: aliveness, layers, stillness and beautiful caves and crevasses revealing an incredible amount of depth.

Now, go be present, and explore what’s close to home, and close to you, by taking a new perspective on old haunts. Still your mind and be a local nomad. @chanellesladics + @kjerstibuaas

Kjersti Buaas and Chanelle Sladics are the founders of PRSNT Adventure Retreats. Kjersti Buaas is a four time Olympian snowboarder + medalist and health + environment activist. Chanelle Sladics is an XGames medalist in snowboarding, activist, public speaker, health + wellness advocate and founder of Simply Straws.