This week, even before I decided to throw in some Nomad Tips I wanted to take a step back from my usual blogs, that deal with just one topic, and answer some of the questions that our podcast listeners and blog readers have had over the years.
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You’re not sure if the lifestyle is right for you, you’re not sure where to begin, how to make money on the road, or how to maintain a connection with family and friends while being on the road.
Letting go of the “American dream”
Chris: I want to dive into the nomadic lifestyle because I notice my loved ones become happy or disappointed at the things they have or don’t have. A nomadic lifestyle seems to be the answer so I don’t suffer the same fate. Not to mention that I have a divine connection with my maker. My Zen is away from this “American dream” that leads to unhappiness in everyone I know.
I agree that not all of us have to follow a regular lifestyle. We do have a limited time on this planet and an alternative way of living may be a better fit for some people. However, I think that the nomadic life is not superior for the “normal lifestyle”, it is simply different. It will not solve in essence the problems we encounter in the normal lifestyle, since those problems are mostly due to our own wiring and habits. It will however by the nature of this life offer some relief, and will make awareness and spirituality easier to spot. The only issue is, that if we sank into automatic mode in our regular life, we will probably stop being in the world and go back to being in “our minds” also in the nomadic life, it will only take longer for it to happen.
Improve, not run away – mindset nomad tips
You should choose a lifestyle because you want to improve your existence, not run away from anything.
Respect everyone’s choice of living – cultural nomad tips
You should also respect everyone’s choice of living the best way they know.
I also want to clarify that a nomadic lifestyle is not free of disappointments and moments of unhappiness. Disappointments are just a part of life. Finally, I wanted to say that nomadic life may seem to be the answer for happiness, but you will only know if it’s right for you once you’ve tried. There’s a good possibility that you’ll find it unbearable.
You can always go back – logical nomad tips
Be open to the chance that it may not work for you, and don’t force it – you can always go back, or try something else.
Getting in touch with nature (more tips)
James: I had a few questions, the first of which is, do you travel by foot or vehicle or bike? Do you gather your food from nature? Do you travel with a tent? Is it hard to find ways to make money on the road?
This question describes very well my vision of being a nomad before I started. I imagined myself in the world, experiencing life to the fullest, with total uncertainty surrounding each moment of my life, sleeping in a tent, picking fruits, hitchhiking, never knowing where I go next. None of that has happened.
I’m now just like most people, just nomadic. I work in an office, eight or nine hours a day, I go swimming, and I have weekend trips. But unlike other people, I change location every three months or so. I enjoy no other freedom than the freedom to change my home and start over again with the same routines but in different places and with different people, in a different setting, in a different culture. But still, with me always being there. It works for me.
Build your dream life
You can travel with a tent, camping, and working with people on the road and build whatever life you find most enjoyable and aligned with what you are trying to achieve.
As for traveling, I travel a little by air and mostly by public transport. I camp when I can, which is at least a week every three months. I go to restaurants or cook, I travel light (so I don’t have a tent) and I use Airbnb or Booking.com for accommodation. Sleeping in nature and picking my food from nature sound thrilling, but it’s just not where I am in life right now. Finally, as for making money online, it’s not hard, but it does take a lot of time and patience.
Market yourself – monetary nomad tips
You need to hone your skills and market yourself, distribution is a core pillar of doing business successfully, and attention is scarce. Once you do all of that, you’ll get paid at scale. As for the “karmic” side – once you get yourself going with a steady pace, and you accumulate knowledge and experience, try to give knowledge and help those who are beginning of their journey, regardless of it being nomadic or not. Starting and running a business is hard, it is a club of people who want to do something different, to chart a new path, let’s help each other.
Traveling before a major life change
Ferms: I’m 18, live on the border and I’m currently in med school in Mexico across the border. I’m aspiring to become a doctor but would like to take a year off to add some excitement to my life, before settling down. I’d like to travel across the country while working anywhere and after a month or less take the first bus out of there to another state, city and continue like that. I want to have a grasp on what it means to enjoy life and meet different people with different perspectives. Any comments on my thoughts would truly help.
Yes, do it. Just because it’s called a “nomadic lifestyle” doesn’t mean it has to be your entire life. However just remember that one of the most difficult but rewarding skills is “enjoying life” in any type of lifestyle you choose. It’s not that the nomadic lifestyle is more enjoyable or authentic, what it does it just throwing so much uncertainty that it “forces” us to experience life differently. If we always need this drug to enjoy life, it will not be sustainable long term.
Leave it when it’s enough – endurance nomad tips
You can experiment with it for a year, even for a few months, and leave it when you feel that you’ve had enough.
In the Tibetan religion, there’s a concept called Bardo. A moment of change and disconnection, usually between periods of life. The Tibetans look at it as the most important part of life, and so do I. It happens usually when you finish school, the army, university, you quit your job or ended a relationship. Every “disaster” or ending like that clears the board for you to be freer. Most people panic in that situation and try to restore what they had before.
Avoid the panic – real-life nomad tips
Do not panic. Instead, you should take advantage of those periods to break away and explore something new.
Intolerance towards nomads
Philip: What about religion in different cultures? In some cultures, you have to be a part of that religion or you lose your life. How do you cope with this and survive to move on?
I’ve discovered in my years of travel that people are good, non-violent unless in group setting with a story that goes well before their birth, and welcoming in most cases. This is particularly true when it comes to foreigners and tourists. There is something about a tourist that invokes empathy in locals – they will try to assist, give directions, and just be nice in general since it is a core value for people, in addition to them being the momentarily ambassadors of their country to you.
There are a few crazy places in the world that you should avoid in all costs (Any place that is currently in turomoil and is going over a massive violent change, those things happen through history, and you should avoid those places until dust settles down). The world is so big that you can pick and choose the safe places to go to.
Don’t look for trouble – obvious nomadic tips
Don’t look for trouble and it won’t find you.
You can never go home again (or can you?)
Hector: A nomadic person never feels complete in their home. Me… I still looking for it, and it’s really hard.
Understood, however, people, cultures and countries change. We were all hunter gatherers and became sedentary. Mongolia is becoming less and less nomadic. Judaism for example used to be defined by the narrative of the nomadic Jew, before Israel was established. The story tells that during the inquisition, when the Jews had to leave Spain, the sultan of Turkey offered them to settle down in Thessaloniki, Istanbul, or Jerusalem. All of them chose Thessaloniki and not Jerusalem.
One English scholar said that the Jews only feels at home when they’s not at home. But that was a phase, and now things change, for everyone. But sometimes not for individuals, that will decide that although their culture, people and family have settled down, they will continue to be home away from home.
If unhappy, consider a change – from my experience
If you find that challenge and difficulties make you unhappy, maybe you need to consider a change.
Alone does not equal lonely
Ness: I went traveling on my own a couple of years ago and had to walk into places to socialize on my own. It got me out of my comfort zone and out of my shell fast. It also gave me a lot of confidence. I felt like I found a new me, traveling changes you. I met a lot of foreigners and found a new respect for all cultures, whereas if I was still sitting at home I would be still judging from my couch.
Ness is right. Traveling wakes you up, and gives you a new perspective about life.
Traveling makes you grow and get to know yourself better because it puts you outside of your comfort zone. You grow as a person when you’re put in new situations. That’s why I like to say that the road is my psychologist or teacher. At some point you finish school, at some point you say goodbye to your psychologist, but enjoy learning as much as you can. Then, when you are on your own, going back to the normal life, can you apply all those learnings, or will you just look at it as a past period where everything was exciting, new and a bit unbearable? The real win is to incorporate the on the road mindset when you are no longer on the road. I personally have still not figured it out.
Stay open-minded! – important nomad tips
If you have any more questions about the nomadic lifestyle, about traveling in general, about the blog or the podcast, feel free to continue commenting on this “Page For Nomad Tips”.
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Yes, a dream that will soon come true.
Great points about solo travel! You will always find others who have also stepped out on their own.
The best thing is, you will instantly have something in common!
Sorry to be critical but I don’t think picking up food or sleeping in a tent is sustainable. It could quickly lead to a dirty appearance which some might associate with homelessness, and sabotage a person’s chance at getting work and communicating with others. I think young people should be dissuaded from this option. The way you are doing it, Eli, seems about right.
As a female, do you think it is safe to attempt the nomadic lifestyle alone? I will be finishing my active duty term in the US Army this upcoming October and really have no desire to just go home and be a civilian with a basic 9-5. I have no children and I love pets so I started looking into house sitting. I think I’m just concerned doing it alone still so far away from home. At least in the Army I have my battle buddies. Not sure what it’ll be like without them.
I think the most important factor is the location you choose, some countries are not easy for solo female travelers. However, if you pick Europe as a destination, I honestly don’t see any problem at all, if you stay out of trouble and make smart decisions. In other locations, it is possible as well, but you better have a little bit more traveling experience to know how to avoid potential situations, so start with the easy destinations like Scandinavia, Hungary etc.
Good luck!
I traveled by myself for a few years and am also female. As long as you remember your safety protocols you’ll be okay, have fun…., you meet all kinds of beautiful people traveling and vice versa, some very interesting people as well.
This is the third time I am reading this post. Got me not only thinking of Bali (via Lisabon and Quebec, then Malaysia), but I also started reading “Start-up Nation” by Dan Senor and Saul Singer. That one came from “monetize yourself” because I want to leave a “home-base” – a small IT startup and revisit my hometown whenever I feel nostalgic to a high degree (or simply want to see my family in Serbia from time to time). “Don’t look for trouble” is actually the smartest “mindset piece” in my country now, since the young generation is disappointed to such a degree that even a wrong look can get you into a fight or worse. But I’m not thinking about nomadic ways in order to run away from trouble, rather I wish to spend some years in certain places and then settle down back home, enriched with experiences and, hopefully, share those experiences with a small team of people that I left to guard our startup. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Lorena.
Very nice indeed and thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you Vuk!
What’s the best way to down size before heading off to a more nomadic lifestyle? I just quit a job in an industry I’ve been stuck in for 10 years. I have a new job lined up building camping sprinter vans and my lease is up in less than 30 days. So I’m donating most things and will save a few and live out of my moded jeep. I guess it can be difficult purging all your belongings. Just wanted to see how you recall starting off?