ARIZONA
Quartzsite:
I arrived in Quartzsite, AZ with little to no expectations. I’d seen Nomadland recently, the event I was going to was featured in that movie, and that’s pretty much all I knew… Quartzsite, AZ is an entire universe to itself. There are SO MANY nomads. Far more vans/RVs than cars and just a beautiful balance of both traveling movement and a slow and steady pace.
After going through the challenges and upheaval (again) of doing something new somewhere new by myself I’d reached another level of just doing it scared. The day I arrived to the event I got an opportunity to lead an event and my scared little self hopped right to it. I got approved to host a Happy Hang with nomads the following day. Eek!
As I tried to plan this impromptu event I realized all I had to offer in this setting was me and Happy Thoughts; did I panic? I did.
When I walked into the event, some friends I’d made (Hey Jen and Kim!) were already sitting in the area I was meant to set up. It wasn’t lost on me that I was already not alone; I felt wonky and aligned at the same time. When it was time to start, I just started talking; what was a small group became bigger and bigger. We soon had 15-20 people pulling Happy Thoughts, reading them, and reflecting. What a beautiful moment of simplicity that came from a terrifying moment of lack and a tiny moment of bravery.
That moment changed me. A tangible moment that I was enough, simply as I was, was more than words can ever say. I’d asked the universe all day “what am I going to do?” and I heard very clearly, over and over, “just be you.” So simple and challenging all at once. The event went amazing, people stayed far after we were done and a genuine human connection was forged in that blip of time, in that first solo/not solo nomad Happy Hang.
Prescott:
While in Qurtzsite and looking at my next routes, I saw that I was only 2.5 hours from Prescott, AZ. I’d been curious about Prescott since I was in middle school and this seemed like my shot to go! Back in the day, my cousin and his friend (Hey Jon and Jeff!) started a sticker business back in ‘96, and I was pretty obsessed looking for their stickers in shops across the country. Jeff was still in Prescott running the business (28 years later!) and my cousin helped set up another Happy visit! It was entirely universey and turned out to be everything I needed it to be.
I arrived in Prescott a few hours earlier than planned and landed at a local restaurant for a couple hours to rest, eat, and recharge (literally… all my electronics were dead). I gave a Happy Thought to my server and then (of course) gave Happy Thoughts to everyone working at the restaurant. My server (Hey Quentin!) told me I needed to bring Happy Thoughts to a local spot, The Launch Pad, that supports teens to get jobs and just have a safe space to be; I was GOING to find this place. Jeff and I made some rounds to sell Happy Thoughts and The Launch Pad was our first stop; it is now the first location in Prescott selling and sharing Happy Thoughts! There are now 3 different locations in Prescott selling Happy Thoughts all from a lil Happy visit!
Sedona:
I was heading up to Sedona from Prescott to see a friend (Hi Sophie!) and had my selling magic started from Prescott. I walked into a coffee shop to grab some coffee, they gave it to me for free and I asked if I could give them Happy Thoughts. After a very short conversation about Happy Thoughts he gave me their buyer’s information! I stopped in another store and pitched Happy Thoughts and got an amazing response. I am down to about 200 Happy Thoughts and the new order is becoming pretty urgent. Happy Thoughts are now selling at Crystal Magic is Sedona and Flagstaff, we’re already in 3 cities in Arizona!
Tucson:
After Sedona, I stopped in Prescott to firm up some sales and then was on my way to Tucson. I’ll tell you what, anxiety gripped HARD in Tucson. I don’t have eloquent words, just that anxiety is as elusive as ever. It’s wild to think the thing that can make me stay inside the van for 48 hours is also the thing that grew this business. I met some more wonderful humans when I re-emerged into the world and got to have a home cooked meal (Thanks Greg and Kristin!) and ventured out to see some beautiful Arizona cacti :) There is a brave side to anxiety, but Tucson anxiety was not it. Tucson was a period of deep feeling and hopefully opened a space for deep healing. I did make it to the things I planned to do in whatever wonky way I made it there; I went to Gem and Jam, a music festival, and to the Gem and Mineral show; new Happy Thought ideas are in the works!
Arizona, you certainly embodied the full spectrum of emotions; we bid you farewell, the cats and I are now heading out for some more adventures.
