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The Barefoot Beat

  • Faith

    Unforgetting: Remembering the Empty Tomb

    It’s chilly today, but I don’t mind. The sun takes a bite out of the bitter Chicago wind and I smile as I weave my way through the morning crowd of briefcases…

    April 2, 2013 by Mariah
  • Solo Female Travel, Travel Stories

    Why I Quit My Job

    It’s been a week since I’ve begun my year of travel and officially quit my job. (!!) I’ve left the Windy City and headed south to spend the next month living with…

    March 30, 2013 by Mariah
  • North America, Travel Stories

    An Insider’s Guide to Chicago

        My adventure has finally begun and I’m in the Windy City! I am so happy to kick-start my travels here and offer you an insider’s guide to Chicago, one of…

    March 25, 2013 by Mariah
  • Life Musings

    Cultivating Contentment

    There is a saying in Spanish, “estar en su mero mole,” which literally means to be in your very own sauce, or to be in one’s element. To belong. I first heard…

    March 13, 2013 by Mariah
  • Faith

    Finding Faith

            Faith is something that’s been on my mind a lot lately. Truthfully, it makes me uncomfortable and a little bit wary. I’m never sure I have enough of…

    March 4, 2013 by Mariah
  • Solo Female Travel, Travel Stories

    How To Travel the World (On a Budget)

    As the departure date for my Round the World Trip nears, one of the questions I’ve been asked frequently is, “How can you afford it?” When I first told my co-workers I…

    February 25, 2013 by Mariah
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About Me

About MeHello! I'm Mariah. I'm a travel writer, poet, and debut novelist living in Southeast Tennessee with my husband and son. In 2013, I quit my job as an ICU nurse to backpack solo around the world—a journey that became the foundation for my debut novel, "The Pattern Shop" (coming in 2026!). I started this blog to share those adventures and have been documenting my journey of finding home, healing, and a simple life of adventure ever since. When I'm not writing, you'll find me exploring the outdoors, advocating for social justice, and cultivating community. My hope is to inspire you to live your own life of love and adventure, wherever you are. Let's do this, together!

Popular Posts

  • What to pack for a year of travel
  • TheBarefootBeat About this “solo female travel” thing.
  • TheBarefootBeat What I learned from my 1st Workaway
  • Kayaking around Milos, Greece 2011 Solo Female Travel
  • DSCN3216 How To Travel the World (On a Budget)

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