RTDM: Shari Galiardi
Shari Galiardi
Public Speaker, Environmental Educator, Nature & Wildlife Photographer, Writer
My husband and I live on the road, but we vote and pay taxes in North Carolina
We want to get to know you! Briefly tell us about yourself: Where you came from, where you've been and how you're living your dream?
Born and raised in southern California. Followed a path into business then very quickly into higher education, with a focus on social and environmental justice. Worked at various universities across the nation for 18 years. In 2012, desired a new life and wanted to travel on our own terms, not just for work. My husband and I bought and renovated a vintage 1957 canned ham camper and hit the road. We've been living on the road for nearly 6 years now, with no end in sight. We split our year into segments -- 4 months of work for pay, 4 months of volunteering, and 4 months of adventure travel.
How do you define success?
Success = doing what makes you happy and healthy + making a difference in the world and/or inspiring others to create change for themselves. We hear "You are living my dream!" about 10x per week, and with that, we know we are doing something right by trying to live our values, live more sustainably, and make our travel dreams a reality.
What did it take to make your dream happen and when did you know you had arrived?
This is difficult to answer because "arriving" is a dynamic process for us. If I feel like I have "arrived," I need to do things differently and dream some more. As our dreams evolve, we work to make them happen -- even if they are different every season/year. A great deal of hard work, saving money, paying off debt, etc. is how it all began. Now, "living large by living small" is our motto!
What are you most proud of? Go ahead, boast a little!
Cutting loose from the great expectations of society, friends, and family and making my/our own path that works for us. Taking our education and life/work experience and using it in various ways to support ourselves and make a difference within the organizations with which we work and serve. Purchasing an old, beat-up hunting camper and turning it into a tiny home on wheels which allows us the freedom to travel whenever and whereever we want. Teaching myself photography and having my work enjoyed by others.
What was your biggest obstacle/fear and what was your turning point?
Convincing my husband it was time to make the move to a different lifestyle! I bought the camper on E-bay in the fall of 2010 and told him, "I'm leaving...and you are invited!" I wasn't seeking to leave him, just the crazy lifestyle we were trying to lead. This somewhat impromptu purchase was preceded by a few years of frustration with the university I/we worked for, regular and multiple illnesses, and our marriage suffering from the pressure of 60 hours per week at 2 very busy careers.
What’s the best advice you’d give to a younger you?
You do you...don't worry what others think. Only you know what you are capable of and how to make it happen. Don't give in to the pressures of society. If you don't want kids, don't have them. If you don't want to get married, don't bother. If you would be better off working for yourself, find a way to make it happen. If you dream of traveling, save $$ and go! Your life is in your hands and you hold the key to what makes you happy and healthy.
How do you stay motivated and purposeful when you feel overwhelmed?
I get outside into beautiful settings with a camera in my hand. I call it phototherapy. I feel renewed, rejuvenated, and more positive about myself, others, and the world after a just a few hours in the woods or on the water.
Tell us a time when a perceived failure was actually a blessing in disguise or served you in a surprising way.
I fail at small things all the time; that's how I learn. If you see them as failure, they will be. If you view them as a learning tool, they will be. Don't have regrets, life is too short for shoulding on yourself. I wanted to join the Peace Corps, as it was a lifelong dream. At age 45, I went to Senegal. I failed because I simply couldn't sleep (and function the next day) in 90+ degree temperatures every night. I woke up every morning dehydrated and feeling "hung over." I learned that sleep deprivation for 4 weeks will cause you to go crazy (literally and figuratively speaking). After returning home, it was hard to tell people that I had left the Peace Corps and why, but I turned it into a learning opportunity about doing what was right for me and not allowing the expectations of others to force me to stick with something that was detrimental to my long term health.
What is your favorite vice/guilty pleasure/strange habit? Come on now, we all have them!
Dark chocolate in all of its forms! Add a glass of dry Cabernet Sauvignon, and I'm in heaven.
What's the smartest investment you’ve made for yourself?
My health! Focus on the health of your brain and body and the rest will fall into place.
What’s MOST important to you right now?
New and different experiences, being outside in nature, and inspiring others by living by example.
Share 1-2 books you've given as gifts:
Funny, I never give books as gifts, as every public library has access to every book one could want to read. I don't see books as something you should own, unless they are for reference purposes. I prefer to give of my time, give experiences, or give consumables.
What have you learned to say no to?
Working too much. The money isn't worth it, and I never miss it.
What's something most people would never guess about you?
Most people see me as a real planner and extremely organized. But, when I travel, I don't make any plans, reservations, or do any research, etc. All of that feels like work, not vacation. I like to buy a plane ticket and arrive in a new country with no plans. I'd rather experience things for myself than get advice from others about what to see and where to go. I don't read travel guides or use Yelp. I want to arrive in a new place and just wander, explore, and take it all in. Sometimes I simply ask locals for recommendations of non-touristy restaurants, and they are always top notch!
Follow Shari:
freedominacan.com
@adventureswithhamlet
#freedom.in.a.can
#freedominacan
galiardisl.redbubble.com
