Living a Nomadic Lifestyle
A nomadic lifestyle may seem like heaven to some of us, but it can also be unrewarding and bitter. Just like everything else in life, being a nomad has some wonderful advantages and a few substantial disadvantages. In this article, we will discuss some of the main characteristics of the nomadic life. But first, we start with a short discussion of the current status and trends of the nomadic lifestyle.
The single major factor which affects nomads is technology which has two related impacts. On the one hand, the rapid pace of technological advance is decreasing the number of ancient nomadic people, since it produces more reasons to settle down. On the other hand, the internet allows people to work remotely and become Digital Nomads, a way of life which allows anyone to work online while enjoying the flexibility to constantly change locations.
Here are some of the major characteristics of a nomadic lifestyle.
- A nomad constantly changes locations, switching from one place to another. Most nomads have some kind of place that they can call home, which is usually where their family or childhood friends are located, but they wouldn’t spend more than a few months a year there. Nor would they settle down in a new home. For nomads “Change is home”. Not many people can stick to this lifestyle on the long term, since most of us need a little stability and a private comfort zone. Nomads have no real home they can feel comfortable in, and spend most of their time in someone’s else accommodation (i.e. a hostel, short rental, a friend’s place, or couchsurfing).
- The nomadic lifestyle is more important than anything else, including career, relationship, or assets. A nomad will avoid any attachment which forces her/him to be tied to a specific location. Once you have decided that your nomadic lifestyle is first priority, you will have to sacrifice to make sure it stays sustainable. Many nomads find the Buddhist religion as a good fit, since it focuses on non-attachment and letting go of everything you have. A nomad lets go and clicks an imaginary “reset button” as they move between locations.
- Avoiding attachments- A nomad breaks away from her/his attachments before taking the nomadic path, and stays away from attachments while living as a nomad. What is an attachment? Anything that keeps you away from realizing a nomadic life. It is anything you have (or actually, think that you have) and can’t give up on. The perfect job that is impossible to get once you quit it, the dog you love so much and can’t be left behind, the amazing girlfriend/boyfriend that will not agree to become a nomad. A quick interesting insight- if you have those, and feel happy, keep them. But if they are not perfect and don’t really make you happy, say goodbye to all your fake attachments and either find better ones, or choose the nomadic path instead.
- Nomads usually become quite smart, easy going and interesting people. The reason for that is clear, they are exposed to many lifestyles, cultures and constantly changing situations. This constant process of change is your teacher. If you are ready for it, it will make you a better person.
- Nomads don’t take life very seriously. Think about it. If you keep losing everything you had (friends, home) every time you change a location, then the basic understanding dawns on you: “everything is temporary and nothing is yours”. After you understand that, you can’t really take life too seriously, there is nothing to defend.
- Nomads travel light and have a minimalist mindset. It means that they consume experiences instead of accumulating Stuff. Life is short, and the only thing we are guaranteed not to lose is great moments experienced. Those of us who keep on over consuming and increasing their possessions will find it very frustrating to carry on their backs while constantly changing locations.
- Nomads usually travel slow. Even for the rare few who can live life without having a home, it is important to create emotional stability by staying longer in each location (usually 1-3 months) in order to establish routines and make meaningful friendships.
- Nomads are respectful, smiley and above all curious. If this is not the case, why would you choose a path of a constant change? Being positive also helps to mitigate one of the greatest disadvantages of the nomadic life, which is loneliness. We are all social animals, which means that without company, we wither and disconnect from ourselves. Since nomads have to keep on rebuilding their social circle wherever they go, being happy and positive is crucial. Regardless, one of my favorite nomadic quotes is “If you are lonely when you are alone, you are in bad company”. Nomads spend a lot of their time alone, and should enjoy it as well.
- Digital Nomads are trying to deal with the issue of lack of social life by choosing global locations that are Digital nomad hubs. This greatly increase the chance of meeting like-minded people.
- Nomad think and adjust fast. As a nomad constantly changing locations, everything is always new. You have to put effort in finding what you need, and probably can’t speak the native language. It means that you must learn to trust your intuition and make quick decisions.
There are many different types of nomadic lifestyles and each of us better customize their own. For example, with time, I have developed a set of nomadic routines and rules which I follow and adjust. Now it’s time for you to decide if the nomadic life is a beneficial experiment to you, and if so, just make it happen.
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i was really frustrated with life but i started liking nomadic life style…im26 single with lots of positivity and ideas in my mind..i am searching for a true life time traveller…if you are ready to start please contact me….i am not a rich guy but i have great thoughts and a true heart…hope to hear from a lovely lady….i am a nepali citizen and hungry to learn more….stay positive….just believe in your dreams.smile always.
I am 39 years old, never nomadic, but traveling and restless often. To the college kids….. I can’t speak as an expert, but at 22 I was totally spent from my first job after college, so much that I felt like just running and being nomadic. In retrospect I am glad I stuck it out because I took my lumps. That lifestyle is awaiting me and not going anywhere should I ever choose it, but it will be a situation where I can walk to it on my terms rather than cling to it. The daily grind sucks at times, a lot in most cases, but if you plan to live a long time just remember that you aren’t going to be physically young forever, and a decade goes by in a flash, so use your best discretion and don’t let a bad few months or semesters or job push you into defensive mode if it’s in you to get a foundation of skills and a Plan B in another way. Whatever you do, be happy!
Pedro,
I agree that choosing this lifestyle on your own terms puts you in a much better position, and gaining skills to live this life is critical.
All the best to you when and if you start (and also if you don’t) 🙂
Wow, this is a great overview of nomadic lifestyle. It really is a constant journey of learning and can be very difficult at times when one becomes lonely. Some would say the solution is to travel with someone, but that doesn’t make up for the lack of community. My partner and I have been travelling for years now and will be heading back to our ‘starting point’ (aka once “home”) at the end of the year. I am hoping we can follow your brilliant advice and follow on with our Nomadic lifestyle in our own country, even once we have children, though I’m sure it won’t be easy..
Thanks Danielle, I wish you and your partner all the best!
Hey, great article. I have the girl and the dog and the mortgage and it’s driving me mad, I want to leave it all behind and just ride off on my motorbike with a backpack and work my way round the world. I’ve thought about little else for a longtime now and feel I just need to bite the bullit. Gonna start in Europe see where I get. Did you have a stack of money saved before you went?
Hi Stan,
the girl and dog sound nice, make sure it is not you who is driving yourself mad before you leave, because you can’t leave yourself behind even when becoming a nomad
Europe is good, if you are on the budget, go for east/central Europe and Balkans.
If you don’t have a clear idea on how to make money on the move (usually working online), going with enough money makes a lot of sense so you give yourself a real chance to make it before you run out of money.
Hi!
I enjoyed reading your article.
I will explore more of this site now, but couldn’t resist making this remark.
In point 3 you wrote “girlfriend” and by that excluding all heterosexual women and gay men from your envisionment of the nomadic lifestyle. It looks like I’m being picky but when it often happens to me, as a woman, I sometimes feel like pointing it out. Hope you can appreciate that critique.
I feel like everyday I am taking small steps to a nomadic lifestyle, as I pushing myself to think other than in the lifestyle “as it should be by society” and opening my mind.
I do see you wrote “his/her” there, so that’s cool. 🙂
Hi Kai,
I guess I write more about topics which relate more to my situation, but of course, everyone should have the freedom to be a nomad, regardless of gender and sexual orientation.
I think traveling as a man, woman, heterosexual or gay all have their unique challenges, and require different mindset to be safe and happy on the road. I have to admit that sadly, nomad “straight guys” face less challenges than all other groups which are more vulnerable to prejudice and harassment.
In any case, I think everyone can become a nomad, and facing the unique challenges is probably the biggest “Win” of this lifestyle anyway.
All the best in your nomadic adventure.
Nice article. I’m writing a research paper on nomadic turbulence, do you mind if I quote from your article? Besides, are there any books or e-materials you can recommend? Kindly let me know how you would like to be quoted, as well as the source of this article. Thanks a million.
hi Emmanuel,
Sure, feel free to quote it. No books on the topic i know of other than Vagabonding by Rolf Potts. The source of the article is my own writing. If you need anything else, or want to schedule a skype call, please send me a message via the contact us form
take care!
Loved reading this! Never actually thought about the nomadic lifestyle until i started questioning myself as to why i always find a next place to be, only after a short amount of time, like i cannot be content.
I believe i was born at least half nomad! haha. I do obtain jobs and rental places for short amount of times, but i am 23 years old this year, and in 16 days i will be off on my 27th move/house. I have moved more then i have lived, and no longer will i question it, it is who i am!
great hearing from you Monique 🙂
oh, and if you are a nomad, you should always question who you are. That’s the point of never ending change.
All the best to you.
Hi,
I am leaving my home for my journey. I just want to learn nomadic lifestyle and experiences. Kindly guide me about how can I earn money to meet my basic needs like food while traveling. Kindly give me some suggestions please
Moshin,
earning money on the road is never easy, I suggest you develop skills to make it easier, either by working wherever you go (e.g. work as a chef) or work as a digital nomad (by learning programming, content writing and so on)
It really also depends on what you would like to do, and if you prefer to become a digital nomad or work wherever you are.
Would love to hear more about your plans, send me a message on the Contact us and I will try to help.
I could never become a nomad unless I had someone with me. I want the lifestyle and I know it’s something I’d love; I dream about it quite often. But I can’t without a friend. I hate loneliness too much for it. I know a lot of people who would want to become nomads. To travel together as a caravan of sorts across all of afro-eurasia is what I always dream of. Playing music on the road, selling and buying items, sleeping in tents/carriages/etc(depending how we get around) is the only nomadic lifestyle I cloud handle. If I get at least one friend to join me in a nomadic lifestyle, maybe I’d see you on the road one day
Lazarus,
I know what you mean, but nomadic life in some point connects to the idea of total flexibility, non attachment and ability to change.
I have a feeling that if you need a stable community, embarking on a full nomadic life might feel frustrating and lonely and time.
In any case, I hope you find the best way to do it, while also finding good companions.
all the best,
Eli
What about food? I work from home and I do not eat meat. I do not plan to work for another and I do not plan on eating meat. What is one to do about food and water whilst traveling the Earth?
Hi Matthew,
I also don’t eat meat. It is not that hard to find places that have pasta , or rice with Tofu. Especially if you have a kitchen and you can cook you should be fine.
There is food and water everywhere, go travel 🙂
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If a Nomad becomes angry, are they then a Yes-mad?
that’s maybe the first nomadic joke i have ever heard..