Why the “Mostly Free Bird?”

Hi everyone! I started this project, the Mostly Free Bird, as a way to reach an audience that may or may not know me personally, but can relate to me in one way or another. My goal is to help inspire others to get out of their comfort zone, and to show how being immersed in experiences and adventure doesn’t always have to mean spending a lot of money! So yes, “mostly free” can be translated quite literally; I want to provide personal insight demonstrating how I live a life of fun and fulfillment on a budget.

If you instantly started humming the melody of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird”, well, we’re still on topic here. The second half of the Mostly Free Bird’s name has to do with more than just finding deals or saving money. I’ve always been attracted to the idea of having total freedom. You know, being able to do what I want, having the time and means to travel and play and actually live. Sound familiar? I’m sure we can all agree that it’s much easier said than done. The truth is, you don’t have to quit your job, reject society, or do anything extreme. I still have bills, I still work, I still revolve my functionality around technology and material items. So, the Mostly Free Bird also serves to show that even if you don’t consider yourself a nonconforming flower child, you can still live a life that you want. Furthermore, even if traveling isn’t in the picture, there are always ways to maximize your weekends or even your work week!

For now, this blog (as well as my Facebook and Instagram) will focus on the next 6 months or so on the Appalachian Trail. The hike is a dream I’ve had for years now, but I was initially overwhelmed by the preparation, and costs, to partake in this journey. I made excuses that I didn’t have the money to buy all the gear, or that I didn’t know the first thing about backpacking. With planning and research, though, I gained the confidence that I could actually hike from Georgia to Maine- little ole me, with my student loans, tent from Amazon, ramen noodles, and inability to run much over a mile. My point is, you can do it, too. That’s not meant to sound cliche or corny. It may not be hiking 2,000 miles, but whatever your dream is, there are ways to reach it in a fashion that’s mostly “free” – both definitions of the word.

Happy reading and happy hiking, my friends!