Nomadic Narrative

Believe it or not, living a life of perpetual travel is starting to hit the mainstream.

An interesting article in The Seattle Times yesterday about Americans becoming long-term tourists encouraged me to reflect on the nomadic leap I took over a year ago. Missing the sense of freedom and the living-in-the-now feeling you get from traveling, I was drawn back to what many would consider a rather precarious lifestyle. Though, who wouldn’t agree that, within reason, life is precarious no matter how you live it? (Read the Seattle story here.)

So, if you are intrigued by the thought of diving off into the unknown, here are a few things to think about. If you have other ideas or thoughts, please comment:

Possessions – How would you feel owning little more than what you could carry? How much will you miss your high-thread count sheets? For me, it’s liberating. “Travel light, travel fast,” my dad always says. It’s true, and you are also less likely to want to purchase more than what you need. There are things I do miss: Wine woes

Preparation – Where will you go and what will you do? The transition will be smoother if you do your homework. Making it easy, there are lots of good online resources:

• Transitions Abroad (excellent resource about work, study, life and volunteering abroad)
• CIA Factbook (get the scoop on any country)
• Women-on-the-Road (from tips on health and safety to finding a job)

The ups and the inevitable downs – What are the pros and cons of a nomadic lifestyle? It’s energizing to map out new environments, to meet new people and to soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the many stunning locations around the world. It’s also exhausting to regularly break routine, so you really have to pay attention to your body and know when it’s time to rest. It can also be lonely. You are away from friends and family, even though technology has softened these distances. (Read more.)

Whether or not you choose a modern-nomadic lifestyle, the life-altering lessons we take away from even short trips can be applied to our everyday lives. Focusing on the now, engaging in a process of self-discovery—by pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone—and developing curiosity can help you form your own Nomadic Narrative, whether it take place close to home or in distant lands.