We Listen and We Don't Judge!
If I could hop in a time machine and sit down with my 20-year-old self (who, let's be honest, probably wouldn't listen to a word I said), here are a few things I'd share:
Before I get into this week’s newsletter…
As this year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude. To all of you who continue to read, support, and share The Corporate Nomad, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your encouragement fuels me with the much needed confidence to continue to share and dig deeper into my own experience, with the aim to help you find the spark in yours. If there’s anything in the new year you’d like to read, learn, or experience, please let me know.
Lastly, I want to send love, peace, and rest your way. This year was a doozy and the end of year holidays can be hard as we look to surround ourselves with loved ones, magical moments, and much needed sleep. I pray, rather you're surrounded by family, friends, or just you in your solitude, that you get just that 🎄❤️.
Now let’s get to the story!
I’m officially 30 and writing to you from a plane headed home from all the birthday festivities! Still coming off the high of the last 10 days, I can say with confidence that this has been the best birthday, not only because of all the celebrations (which were second to none), but because this is the best I’ve ever felt holistically stepping into a new year. And as I reflect on the journey that led me here, I can't help but think about all the lessons I've learned, the stumbles and triumphs that have shaped me into the woman I am today.
So, in the spirit of self-reflection and maybe a little time travel, I've compiled a list of gems I'd share with my 20-year-old self. Consider this a glimpse into the evolution of perspective, a testament to the power of growth and self-discovery.
A Birthday Extravaganza: By Sea, Land, and Air
But first, let's rewind to the birthday extravaganza! I embarked on a three-part adventure, over the course of 10 days designed to see the world through a different lens, while honoring 30 trips around the sun:
By Sea: A cruise to accomplish my goal of 30 countries by 30 (because why not?)
By Land: Drinking around the world at Epcot (a challenge I couldn't say no too)
By Air: A hot air balloon ride over the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan (talk about a breathtaking experience!)
I’ll also add, each of these experiences was something I had never done before! It was a whirlwind of adventure, laughter, and connection. And while I usually cherish solitude on my birthday, this year, I embraced the joy of shared experiences and the love of those around me. It was phenomenal.
A Decade of Transformation
From the naive confidence of my 20s to the grounded self-assurance I’ve found myself entering at 30, my journey has been one of breaking, healing, and expanding. Looking back, I carried a bold, almost overzealous confidence about my understanding of the world. Given I had been told since a child that I was an old soul and would often be described as having “wisdom beyond my years,” I built an early habit of mistaking experience for wisdom. There wasn’t much you could tell me that I didn’t have an answer/solution for. Because of that, I was functioning within a superman complex - overcompensating for the lack of inner security and self-worth I had yet to find.
This reflection doesn’t come from a place of judgment. Despite those layers, there were things I got right, and for that, my current self is profoundly grateful. My headstrong ways and no nonsense demeanor broke down doors, refused to accept the status quo, and put me currently in a position of opportunity and choice. When I think of that younger version of me, I send her nothing but love.
Now at 30, I see things differently. While some core traits remain, they’ve evolved—refined and nurtured through years of doing the hard work: challenging myself, being in therapy, releasing and reframing interactions, and learning the healing power of love and time. Today, I’m more inquisitive, slower to anger, quick to forgive, and more fearless than ever.
The certainty I clung to at 20, 25, or even 28 has softened, replaced by a deep understanding that context, perspective, and definitions can completely reshape what I once thought was absolute. It’s important to know how others are defining and viewing something before you insert your own definitions and thoughts. Once I understood that, it became easier for me to temper emotions, realize a lot isn’t personal, and accept perspective.
Over the years, my fearlessness has become rooted in faith and experience as opposed to ignorance. I’ve taken risks I once thought I couldn’t handle, faced the humbling loss of things I believed I wanted, and come out the other side with blessings tenfold what I thought I’d lost. In turn, I’ve allowed myself to return to a childlike state of play. I say yes to nearly every curiosity that sparks my interest. I break things apart, explore them from new angles, and bring friends—or make new ones—to join me in the process.
This year, I’ve gifted myself countless new experiences and hobbies, with the simple goal of having fun. Not everything has to be mastered or turned into something monumental. I’ve given myself permission to explore, enjoy, and even be bad at things. One of the comments I’ve heard most this year—one I take as a huge compliment—is, “You just be doing stuff.” And it’s true, I do! I’ve embraced the freedom to follow my curiosity without shame, and it’s been one of the most liberating gifts I’ve ever given myself.
So, if you’re reading this, I encourage and give you permission (in case you need it) to do the same. Go play! Say yes to the things that spark your interest. Give yourself permission to simply enjoy the journey. You never know where it might lead.
Lessons from a Decade of Growth
Now, for those hard-earned wisdom nuggets. If I could hop in a time machine and sit down with my 20-year-old self (who, let's be honest, probably wouldn't listen to a word I said), here are a few things I'd share:
1. Enter spaces to listen and ask far more questions. You know a lot less than you think you do and your immaturity and inexperience does still show despite you “having an answer for everything.”
2. You are far more kept and favored by God than you realize. You will lose it all, get it back, and repeat it again throughout the course of your life (this applies financially, mentally, spiritually, and physically). However, you are right on time with everything.
3. You’re safe, go play. Invest in hobbies, explore your own curiosity, take it as far as it can go and let it be just that. Nothing is that serious. Play with no expectation and let your imagination take charge - the world is literally your playground.
4. If the problem was yours to fix, it’d be solved the first time you got involved. Put the cape down and realize you can’t control everything, especially people. You will spend years trying to solve situations that aren’t yours to fix or aim to help people that don’t want their problem solved. Let it be or you will burn out and carry resentment.
5. Self love, self worth, and self esteem are very different things. Learn to look at these separately. Each area will be developed very differently and will have to be nurtured accordingly. Your self esteem has always been pretty intact, but you will find self love during a time of isolation, while your self-worth will develop after you lose it all. Odd, I know.
6. Ask for what you want and create space to receive it. You spend so many years not asking for help out of fear of being let down or being seen as a burden. However, the only thing you lose is the ability to let people love and show how much they care. Stop robbing others of the chance to show up for you! ASK, ASK, ASK.
7. Show up fully in everything you do. The things that are yours will never leave and the things that aren’t meant for you will never be kept. Don’t hide yourself in fear of scaring things/people/opportunities anyway. They were staying or leaving either way.
Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a New Year filled with love, laughter, and the courage to chase your dreams.
See you in 2025!
With love always,
Jamie ✈️ 🌎
Never move to the South.