Thoughts?
The idea of constantly moving is so appealing, but philosophically it feels wrong. Does anyone here live as a nomad?
I don’t vibe with American culture and it seems like the best way out.
Edit: Y’all are the best! I really appreciate everyone’s responses. 🤗
Yeah I’ve moved more times than years I’ve been alive. It almost feels natural to be moving at the end of the lease each year.
I have been completely unproductive during covid because my mind is just all over the place. I smoked so much weed that I finally quit and am working through that understanding how I lived as an addict for most of the past 8 years. And how to make sure I never go down that route again.
I can see how remote work can become extremely isolating and as someone who enjoys isolation to unhealthy degree I could see that not being a good thing for me. That’s also why I love moving though. It forces me to get to know people and be more social.
Tbh I don't like this push to decentralize the workplace. That'll just add to the already alienated and overworked sentiment people feel. I can't stand the idea of appreciating the vast beauty of the Mojave one moment only so my sweaty boss can call me to yell at me about some bullshit. That and remote work is just cursed in general and I'm not comfortable being available 24/7. Not to mention all the privacy concerns and it's just a big nope from me, even with travel (that I would have to pay for so why??).
I totally get that point of view. I enjoy working with people in person and building connections, but I don’t enjoy most people in the states. So I would be spending more time with people I enjoyed being around and when I went to the grocery store and existed in the world my presence would be celebrated instead of just another number. I notice this whenever I travel. Other cultures are so much warmer. They smile more. They’re grateful. They’re excited to get to know you even if they just met you.
Oh definitely, American culture is just a grinding stone for anything communal or social.
I have the skills to get paid well and do remote work or even go to a place and work and get paid pretty well for the work I enjoy doing. Like the idea of traveling for half the year and then working at home the other half sounds wonderful, but also am I taking away from what I’m trying to build?
Great points. Thank you for the thoughtful questions. I don’t have answers right now, but ill meditate on them.
I'll drive you around where do I send my resume. It'd be fun in a group relatively long-term but by yourself I think it'd get rough after say a year or so.
It’s hard but very rewarding. Philosophically it’s taught me the meaning of solidarity more than a book ever could. I’ve worked in Illinois, Kansas, New York, New Mexico, and currently California.
My work is seasonal but I’ve finally gotten a permanent job and while the nomadic life still calls out to me, having a little house to call my own where I can grow native plants and food has become much more appealing.
Constantly moving means you never get your “circle”. I’ve made so many friends all over the country but moving away I hardly see them. I don’t have people i can text and five minutes later be hanging out with them. It’s lonely.
That’s true. I have made a lot of friends, but I always lose touch with them. Having a support circle is important, but it’s tough to build when you don’t stick it out somewhere.
Thank you for that reminder. I don’t have a tight nit group of friends right now, but if I keep moving I’ll never be able to build that.
i came here to make a joke about me being Romani Gypsy but the comments are so sincere and genuine that now i’ll just say, as someone knowing people who have lived as very nomadic, it wasnt easy from what theyve told me. much easier if you have a good car i would assume.
I got housed at the start of this year and I fucking hate it. I'm setting up a tent at my unhoused friends' camp tomorrow and might start living there permanently. And then maybe I'll get a van next year.
I’ve thought about the van route. I just really hate cars.
It sounds really cool until I remember how much fucking shit I have and how a 3 hour drive to visit a friend drained me lmao
thanks for the reply. Really appreciate it.
I feel like I’m not providing value when I don’t stay in a place for very long. No way to build strong mutual aid or unionize your workplace or really do much that leads to revolution. Kinda feels like running away instead of just gritting your teeth and doing the work, but the other half of my brain says fuck that do what you want and go enjoy life.
Life is challenging and I’m constantly second guessing myself. Leading to less and less action.
Yeah it’s really tough to navigate. I’ve been struggling with it for a while. My line of work totally shut down due to covid so now I think I’m going to have to work for some corporation, non-profit, or government agency.
I want to lead my life with a revolutionary purpose and I just don’t know what that really looks like.
I've met a few people like that in various hostels in Georgia and Armenia during off-season, traveling with their backpacks and their laptops. They usually survive by teaching english to rich russions or chinese online.No-idea how they're faring with covid though. They would usually pendle between some low prize country and travel with the seasons. One person i met had an actual job at a company and did their daily online conference on their hostel bed with a sheet as divider and everyone else sent out.
It's probably a pretty ascesic lifestyle, as you can't afford a lot and won't have a lot of physical possessions. Must be freeing though.
It is probably not the kind of digital nomad you're talking aboit but they're the ones i've met.
