A Little About Me…
My name is Allison Nixon Guinot, but most people call me Allie. I’m a writer and traveler stuck somewhere in between young at heart and wise beyond my years!
As a California native now living in the beautiful French countryside just outside of Paris, my life is filled with exploration, awkward attempts at cultural immersion, and, of course, writing.
Just a few years ago, my life changed drastically as I followed my heart from the fast-paced Bay Area lifestyle of property management to the free-spirited ways of travel and freelance writing.
Born and raised in the Central Valley of California just 60 miles east of San Francisco, I feel like I was destined to have a desire for exploring beautiful things. Growing up in a perfect location within driving distance of the ocean, mountains, valleys, and deserts, I was blessed with a sampler platter of what the world has to offer.
Along with a bad case of wanderlust, I have always had a love for the written word. As a kid, you could often see my nose stuck in a book seeking out new worlds and adventures. I pursued this love in college and received my BA in English in hopes of creating and sharing new perspectives of life through writing.
After graduating, I found myself in the medical field writing policies and procedures for the small hospital I worked at, leading to a slew of multiple hats and experiences I never expected to have as an English major.
Around 2 and a half years later, I found myself moving to the Emerald City of Seattle, Washington for a whole new adventure. This is where I somehow stumbled into the world of property management, another oddity for an English major.
After exploring what the Pacific Northwest had to offer, around a little over a year later, I found myself following my newfound career back down to California in the San Francisco Bay Area. A career that I planned on being temporary as I found my way back into my desired field of creativity.
For years I managed properties, navigating the highs and lows of a demanding career. It was very lucrative and helped to fund my travel addiction, yet it was incredibly stressful. Every time I was about to take a step out the world I found myself in, I would be enticed to climb further up the corporate ladder with the incentive of more money to fund the lifestyle I wanted to live in order to explore the world. I convinced myself that things would be better with more money, so I could suck it up for a while longer.
While in the career that felt like a cage, I was able to escape a week or so at a time to see the places I promised myself I would discover. The loss of my brother fueled this desire to live life to the fullest, teaching me that tomorrow is not promised. Why wait to see things later in life that you can experience today when later may never come?
During this chapter in my life, I explored the US in the form of cross-country road trips (my favorite being the famous Route 66), flights to famous US destinations, cruises to tropical places and countries, and exploring other continents half a world away. Something I promised myself as a reward for my hard work was at least one big US trip and one international trip a year.
Even if not on my preferred career path, my consolation prize was the ability to rev up my battery by allowing myself to scratch the itch of my addiction to explore what the world has to offer. However, the more promotions I received, the more I found myself having to cancel trips for the better good of my career and company.
The strain and stress on my body started to make me very ill. I felt as though my body were fighting against me. I then realized it was because my body was trying to give me a message that I had been ignoring for years. The life I led was not how I was meant to live and it was causing me to waste away.
Along with the message my body was trying to give me came the struggles and losses of loved ones, reminding me of life’s fragility. I have always been a believer in living rather than merely existing, and I realized that the stress and strain on my body wasn’t worth sacrificing my dreams for, no matter how big the paycheck.
So, I made a bold move. I left my high-stress career, started traveling for longer durations, and went back to my writing roots by embracing the freelance lifestyle.
During this journey, I just so happened to fall in love with a Frenchman, leading me to my journey of living abroad. An event that was completely unexpected, but it was an added bonus to find a love that encouraged me to follow my heart and dreams.
For me, travel is so much more than just visiting new places. It’s about reviving the soul by experiencing different cultures, meeting new people, and expanding your horizons. It is about discovering what it is that makes us human, and seeing the different ways people navigate their lives in this world. It the excitement of the new and the joy of discovery along with the stories that come with each journey.
As a freelancer, I have the freedom to work from anywhere. To explore new places and gain knowledge of the world. It allows me the opportunity to share with others how to take the steps towards seeing the beautiful experiences our planet has to offer.
Although my path may not be the right fit for all, I am a huge believer that travel is good for the soul and that everyone should take that trip they have always wanted to experience. My goal is to encourage you to take that trip and exactly how to get yourself there.
I am so pleased to share my knowledge and experiences with you and am excited to have you follow along!
