I'm about to finish my 4th year of full-time nomad life. I've been through all of the first four phases to varying degrees and appear to be moving into phase 5. I've been to enough places now that I'm seeing patterns develop about what makes a place my kind of place. And I'm realizing I have a list of such places that are ones where I feel comfortable and feel at home, that vibe with me and are like visiting old friends. My "best friends" I can see myself returning to perhaps every year. Other "friends" I will return to but less often, say every other year or every third year. But they're still friends I'll enjoy spending time with. I'm also wanting to keep a few open spaces in the calendar each year for discovery of new places, to enjoy the newness of the experiences and maybe make a new "friend" I will want to add to the ones I periodically visit. One thing (among many) that I love about this lifestyle is that the more you do it the more you evolve. And when you are open to evolving and changing things up, you find that it just keeps getting better. Four years on I'm even happier than when I started!
I’m only Six months in, and still in the phase of “oh my God, I can’t believe this is my life!!!” However, I had to return to the states to renew my passport and do some family things. Off to Southeast Asia next month!
The highs of year 1 were real...as was the grief in year 2. Buying a casita in Mexico helped but it didn't completely allay the feelings because it then became about adjusting to a new home...while still traveling extensively. Xoxo
Except you can, since you read about it in Wanderland! ;) The whole thing really hit me when we first showed up in Baja. Ah, this just gave me an idea. I think I'll post part of a chapter about this on my Substack.
I've been on the road for 3+ years and recognize these phases. Now with medical issues phases 4 and 5 have snowballed and staying in one place is a necessity. I don't know how or if that will work out.
Just starting year 4 and I think all those feel familiar in some sense but kind of like different currents in a stream that has always been flowing…sometimes we’re in one eddy or another, but always aware of the others. Mixing it up in various ways this year and already looking forward into 2028 and 2029…parlays 3 3-month slow stays? Or faster travel some of Africa? We’ve got a lot left of our bucket list and also crave slowing down a bit to work on some personal projects and stay in places we love. Hmmm. Time will tell.
Might also add YouTube phases for a nomad couple. After a few years, what else is there to say?
I'm about to finish my 4th year of full-time nomad life. I've been through all of the first four phases to varying degrees and appear to be moving into phase 5. I've been to enough places now that I'm seeing patterns develop about what makes a place my kind of place. And I'm realizing I have a list of such places that are ones where I feel comfortable and feel at home, that vibe with me and are like visiting old friends. My "best friends" I can see myself returning to perhaps every year. Other "friends" I will return to but less often, say every other year or every third year. But they're still friends I'll enjoy spending time with. I'm also wanting to keep a few open spaces in the calendar each year for discovery of new places, to enjoy the newness of the experiences and maybe make a new "friend" I will want to add to the ones I periodically visit. One thing (among many) that I love about this lifestyle is that the more you do it the more you evolve. And when you are open to evolving and changing things up, you find that it just keeps getting better. Four years on I'm even happier than when I started!
I love this Jim. I'd love to see you write about your best friends and their common denominators.
Thanks, Chris! I do plan to do that at some point.
I’m only Six months in, and still in the phase of “oh my God, I can’t believe this is my life!!!” However, I had to return to the states to renew my passport and do some family things. Off to Southeast Asia next month!
Have a great time with the omg’ing
The highs of year 1 were real...as was the grief in year 2. Buying a casita in Mexico helped but it didn't completely allay the feelings because it then became about adjusting to a new home...while still traveling extensively. Xoxo
That would be a lot to have on your plate at any time. I can't imagine!
Except you can, since you read about it in Wanderland! ;) The whole thing really hit me when we first showed up in Baja. Ah, this just gave me an idea. I think I'll post part of a chapter about this on my Substack.
I've been on the road for 3+ years and recognize these phases. Now with medical issues phases 4 and 5 have snowballed and staying in one place is a necessity. I don't know how or if that will work out.
I’m sorry you are slowed down at the moment and hope things improve soon🤕🥰🥰
Just starting year 4 and I think all those feel familiar in some sense but kind of like different currents in a stream that has always been flowing…sometimes we’re in one eddy or another, but always aware of the others. Mixing it up in various ways this year and already looking forward into 2028 and 2029…parlays 3 3-month slow stays? Or faster travel some of Africa? We’ve got a lot left of our bucket list and also crave slowing down a bit to work on some personal projects and stay in places we love. Hmmm. Time will tell.