Start Here: The Raw and Honest Journey of a Nomad in Her Twenties

by Emilee Mae Struss

The twenties are supposed to be THE YEARS, right?

You're free and you have your whole life in front of you. You're young, thin as you'll ever be, and can make your own decisions. But therein lies the all of the decisions you have to make in your twenties. Where am I going to live? What do I believe in? What type of relationship do I desire? Who am I? What are my passions? Why am I here? Emilee Mae takes you not only to the near-death experience that shaped her early twenties, but also into the depths of making big decisions.

After falling seventy feet out of a tree at eighteen years old, Emilee Mae begins a trek around the world to discover her purpose. From living in South Africa with impoverished children, to traveling with missionaries in Peru, to backpacking in the Idaho desert with troubled youth, Emilee Mae's journey is packed with stories leaving you wishing for more.

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2022

About the author

Emilee Mae Struss is a writer and yoga instructor living in Northwest Florida. She has traveled to over ten countries studying culture, philanthropic efforts, and nonprofits. Her first published work, START HERE: THE RAW AND HONEST JOURNEY OF A NOMAD IN HER TWENTIES, was published by a small press in Minnesota (2022). Her book sold over 200 copies as a newly discovered author in the first week.

In 2015, she graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato, with a degree in creative writing. Emilee has contributed to award-winning magazines such as Sun Valley Magazine, Boise Territory, Emerald Coast Magazine, Tallahassee Magazine, and Lake Country Journal, where she served as editor for four years. Emilee is active on her blog, emilemae.com, and her Substack account.

Reviews

[Tom Boley]

I was excited to read Emilee's book as she is a dear friend. Some of the experiences in the book involved work we were engaged in together. And some of that work was intense!

It was neat to start the book and learn more about some of her upbringing, and experiences that had both a positive and challenging impact on her. The middle of the book involved more of what I knew
of her life. The last third or so were chapters of her life that I had little awareness of.

Her writing, whether intentional or just the way her years rolled out for her, were laid out like waves that hit the shoreline with gradually more intensity. Her struggles and challenges gained strength that made finding resolution seemingly more difficult. With a big loss as one of the last waves.

Her writing describes many of the challenges we all face in life, but her version is unique to her life's experiences. She has had a good run on adversity if that makes sense. Despite all of that, her story and her path through it all is an inspiration to us all. She finds her way through and puts her life back together in the ocean, beaches, world under the surface, family, faith and community of friends who love her. If you don't know and love her now, you will know her and love her after you finish the book.
It is a gift to yourself to read it and compare her struggles to your own, and realize there is a way back to the light! All my LOVE..... tommyboy

[Megan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I thoroughly enjoyed about this book (that I didn't expect) was Emilee's growth throughout the book. She wrote from the perspective of that time in her life. So you begin her journey looking through an 18 year old's eyes and end the book looking through an almost 30 year old's eyes; gaining wisdom and depth as you read. It makes me excited for her next book!

[Tonya Wermager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to read Emilee’s book as I have only heard bits and pieces of her stories. This book really describes how her life experiences; the good and bad, have shaped her and the stories she tells give new perspectives overall. She talks a lot about the challenges of growing up and finding yourself again and again. Enjoyed this read!

[Lisa Salo]

Start Here is an incredibly empowering book! Emilee’s writing style is captivating. It is raw, real…it speaks to resiliency and truth. My 20s are decades away in my rear view mirror, but this book is so powerful to me. It had me reflect on my journey and the belief in who I am and what I can do. Thank you, Emilee, for sharing your inspiring journey thus far.
With Gratitude,
Lisa Salo

[Brian Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me. It’s everything you’d want in a memoir. It’s heartfelt, honest, funny, relatable, and heartbreaking. A fresh, interesting, insightful, and useful take on the near universal quest for meaning and love we all embark on as we enter our 20s.

[Renae Goos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book. Love the writing style, rawness of it and the resilience of a young girl trying to make it through her 20’s. Em is a fighter! She will succeed in anything she puts her mind to!
Renae Goos

[CJ Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author at work while I was ringing her out at my register. After she gave me her name for the rewards program, I wanted to ask about the book she had with her and noticed the names were the same. We spoke for a bit and before parting ways she gave the book to me. Just from our conversation I already had a deep interest in starting it as soon as possible. I got home that night and read the first half in one sitting. I was taken aback by how relatable her life is. I can see some of my own relationship troubles through the authors writing, her longing for more in life, and struggle with faith reflect my own in some ways, and in the others I was eager to gain her fresh perspective on life through her raw honesty. I highly recommend this book to anyone in the 20's or 30's who need to be reminded that there are others out there living life in all of it's high's and low's while leaving behind olive branches in the form of words that can bring more of us together. 5 stars.
CJN

[Linda Eiesland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emilee writes from the depths of her heart, mind and soul, which I found refreshing. She tells her story with words that made me feel as though I was sitting on her shoulder as she shared. Truth be told, sometimes I wanted to shield my eyes but didn’t let myself because deep parts of me have swirled in her journey. I wanted to know all the experiences, perspectives and retrospectives that pushed her forward on the healing and discovery road towards who she is and what she’s made of. Emilee’s travels are an in-depth, rocky path of self examination that challenged me as an older woman. I have become a firm believer that challenging my own questions, suffering and pain-if I’m willing-what Emilee rawly shares from her 20’s, can open the door to each of our own vulnerability and keeps us growing and living an abundant life in who God created us to be. Thanks, Emilee! Keep writing!

[Paige Aigret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw and honest, absolutely. Emilee pours her heart out on these pages as we follow her on her journey as a 20-something navigating life, country, and beyond. You can feel her growth with every turn of the page, and you can feel each heartbreak as if it were your own. Her life is both relatable and unexpected. She's not your typical trendy nomad, she's a nomad of place as much as she is of mind. She searches for belonging both literally and spiritually, as she asks herself questions we've all struggled with. Start Here is a story of many endings and beginnings, showcasing a spectrum of emotion and ever-changing philosophy in the transition to adulthood. Start Here is for anyone who's ever felt lost. Thus, Start Here is for everyone.

[Rick Skogen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can keep things as they are….or you can adjust your life to circumstances and make things better for you and all around you. Emilee has given us a true gift in her work that details her life though her 20’s. Her style of writing is captivating and I caouldn’t wait to turn the pages to see what her next adventure might be. This book is much more than an adventure autobiography though as Emilee brings us along into her deepest secrets. It is a searing inventory of here successes, her failings and her lowest emotional valleys. Be prepared to examine your own life in a deeper sense as you read through this amazing work.
Rick skogen

[Carrington Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible. I felt like I was on the journey alongside Emilee. Her experiences and stories are so unique, but exciting and exhilarating. I didn’t want t put the book down as I felt every emotion possible while reading about her life.

[Jonika Nix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotions I never knew how to express at her age … still not able to do it but so glad she did it for me- which is what I believe a reading experience is supposed to do. Thank you E for doing this- one of the best books I have ever read.