Something I've learned to embrace during traveling, which you hit on, is the never-ending cycle of planning and figuring out. It's something I enjoy, but it can get a little overwhelming. What's the currency here? How do I buy a train ticket? Where am I staying on Tuesday? I lost my charger cord, where do I get a new one? Haven't found a great hack to avoid all of this, so I see it as part fo the adventure.
Like you, this is something I somehow enjoy a bit… so it’s not as annoying as it could be.
“I've learned to embrace” > This is the key here, learning to embrace things we might not enjoy at first glance. It’s what makes the experience more enjoyable on the long run.
This is an interesting read Jeremie. And I can relate to your comments about not missing people. Even though people do think I'm an extrovert - and I can be - I do love my own company.
I could have written almost the same post myself. There are a few small parts I disagree with, and you bet I'm going to tell you. We did it too. We did almost 7 years. With kids. What really jumped out at me was the fact that you didn't miss people. Me too. I never do. I've come to know recently that it's common in those of us with ADHD or autism. I probably have both. You also talk about how you react to a problem or situation being definitive to your experience. Dead right. But I've learned that in a more formal way recently through meditation and other teachings of a spiritual nature. I began to be rid of my anxiety towards those almost 7 years. I was never a good flyer. I was always contemplating how we were all going to die. I developed a mantra that fixed it, long before I started getting into meditation. But the two are basically the same thing, so I was down regulating my fear and my reactions. The thing I disagree with slightly is that you say you don't find yourself. I did, somewhat. I found what made me thrive, what I needed and wanted in life, what sort of home I wanted to live in, and more. There was a lot of finding out through trying, for me, almost 60 countries. As soon as we "went home" through Covid, the big house in the burbs was on the market and we bought a shack on acreage. Far from people, much smaller, fewer mid cons. I discovered that I like life more if I have to work for it. Also India is my favourite country. But it does drive you a little insane. I actually rote a post about finding yourself through travel on my travel blog. It involved a lot of deep thought and concluded that travel actually does not change you. I'm still me, I just know myself better. Go read it! On worldtravelfamily.com. Enjoy Bangkok, it's one of my favourite places.
Thank you so much Alyson for this meaningful comment and for sharing your insights.
7 years, with kids, wow 👏 That’s awesome!!
“I'm still me, I just know myself better.” > I love how you worded this actually. It is spot on.
I’m curious, what has been your experience since settling down? Because for me, it’s only been a few months, and I already feel the itch to move 🙃 On the flip side, my wife Rosie is happy and regulated as ever!
I think what I love the most reading your comment is that there is no right answer, no right way to travel, there isn’t a single set of conclusions to draw from the experience… it’s very personal, intimate even sometimes. It affects us in different ways, it changes us (or not) in different ways…
It is an impactful experience that I feel lucky to have experienced.
Hi, so, the settling was forced on us by Covid. That 4 bed 2 bath luxury house in the burbs was in Australia. We were shut for 3 years. I hated it. I hated that my kids had had my final years of childhood stolen. I hated that my mum died on the other side of the world and I watched her funeral online. It was brutal. Once we bought the farm life became fun. I had purpose and goals. I need something to work towards. But I still travel. 1 month so far this year, a couple last year. It's very difficult and expensive to travel from Australia. If you are in Asia or Europe you are so blessed with transport connections. We just have to pay a lot more and endure more hours in the air. But it's still worth it to me. I will get in a plane just to "be in" Hanoi or Bangkok or Kathmandu. I love that feeling and the experiences, so I will always do it. These days just one or other of the kids comes with me. Somebody has to be home with 100 or so animals. And that's OK.
😔 being in Australia during Covid sounds like it was a brutal experience with the severe restrictions. I'm really sorry you had to experience this with the passing of your mom.
Your experience is super interesting. Something I'm finding hard to adjust is going from living in a backpack, owning very little... to being settled and accumulating stuff again. 100 animals, wow!!
I'm in BKK most years. But this year I may not. have an invitation to tour Sri Lanka so I may go that way on my way home to the UK. I haven't accumulated clothes and shoes or random stuff. Just stuff we need. Kitchen stuff and power tools mostly. It's nice being well equipped and prepared. Stick with the old rule of buy something new, something has to go in the bin. I only shop for clothes when I travel and I only carry 7kg, so it has to stay that way. Having a lot of stuff is draining.
As a nomad for nine years, someone used to and comfortable with it just being me and my husband -- but not anti-social! -- your journey very much resembles mind. And you're in Bangkok, probably my favorite city in the world!
I’m 4 months into a similar trip and yesterday I had a meltdown. Because you’re right in that ‘you take yourself wherever you go’. I’m at that point where I’m far enough away from everything that was ‘wrong’ with my life to now see what is left. And it’s not easy tackling that, or even knowing where to start!
Thank you - appreciate that! I think I had a bit of a breakthrough this morning (much better than breaking down!) and so I've started putting it into words. I need to sit on it for a few days though before I publish but sometimes you just have to break things before you can rebuild fully.
Thank you for sharing, it deeply resonated with me that you can’t escape grief with travel. Grief isn’t something you overcome. It’s something you learn how to live with.
And for me, travel and creation became the way I learned how to live alongside it.
I agree with you… I don’t think we can fully “get over it” or “move on” from. It just gets easier as time goes on… it hurts less… but it’s still very present.
Great summary of your past 4 years. I'm coming up on 4 years of full-time travel myself. I can relate to much of what you say. I'm an introvert so I've always felt quite comfortable on my own and can handle being by myself. That became even clearer once I started traveling this way. I am perfectly suited for this type of lifestyle. But it's a constant learning ptocess. Looking back I've grown so much in so many ways, and it's been wonderful to experience that change. I totally understand about India. Amazing place but the chaos and lack of personal space grated on me after awhile, too. Best of everything in your next chapter!
Excellent summary of your past four years and its great that you shared the reality of what travel can and cannot do. I've been living full-time in Bali for 8 years so I can relate for sure. We tend to grow in unexpected ways and that's part of the real beauty of putting yourself out in the world. Enjoy the settled life!
Loved this read. I can resonate with many of your points, as I currently travel full time in my bus in the United States. I feel the same sort of freedom from this lifestyle. I can imagine that the decision fatigue and mental weight of constant planning is challenging. That’s my biggest mental hurdle at times within my daily life so - respect - that sounds truly next level. I’d love to eventually branch out into traveling more countries. Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing your reflections.
Hi Maddie! Wow traveling in the US in a bus sounds so cool as well to be fair 🤩
What motivated you to embrace this lifestyle?
About the decision fatigue and mental weight… as it is for sure real, I’d say that I’d rather worry about that than about “regular life” problems I had in my past life to be honest.
Lots of things, but mostly the freedom and flexibility to follow the flow of my intuition and where I felt called to travel. Yes! I agree, I’d definitely take the decision fatigue over the ‘regular life’ issues any day.
Awesome to read about someone else who is trying to define freedom. I've travelled a ton and it's still my definition of freedom. Great point on it being a mindset, I haven't thought of that. Definitely something I need to try and shift my thinking to.
This is (strangely) something that I’ve thought about a lot… I noticed when talking to people that many say “I want more freedom”… but then they cannot articulate what would that look like, what they mean by having more freedom. “More time to do what I want”… yes, which is what?
Having clarity around what freedom means to us is what can lead to the first step.
Love this! My partner and I have been travelling and nomadic for 8 years and I definitely agree with all you have said here. While our journey is still not quite finished, we have committed to being in one place in Canada this summer for six months. It may be the start of some sort of home base.
We will see what unfolds.
Your stories of India remind me of how we felt in Egypt. It’s because of that crazy experience that we are hesitant to visit India.
We were so annoyed we left before even seeing the pyramids. Haha.
In 2023 I came back to some very weak and frail parents. I vowed I would stick around mostly until they felt better. Thankfully they are at that point now. But last year we committed to working at a farm nearby so I could be close to them. After this summer we will see what happens. We really want to head south again in the fall.
Aging parents or missing family events are one of the most difficult parts of choosing this lifestyle. We had to deal with such situations as well, and it’s a mind f*ck…
Living your own life and being where you want vs being where you don’t want to be but close to people you love. Tough one.
Hi Jill! Oh that’s interesting. What motivated this change, the 6 months “stability”, if you don’t mind me asking?
Thank you for sharing about Egypt. I have heard some stories as well, especially from women. It’s still a place on my bucket list… I want to at least see the Pyramids!
Fantastic reflection! I did a slow version of this in my late 20s, living in a few different countries for a year or two at a time teaching, and travelling to nearby spots too. Absolutely changed my entire outlook on life and my career/direction, everything, and got me to know myself a whole lot better too. Some things good, some bad! But to do it was the best decision of my life.
“Absolutely changed my entire outlook on life and my career/direction” > This is the thing. I don’t know anyone who didn’t experience a form of that transformation. That by itself is worth all the hassle!
Oh goodness, so many! To scratch the surface - I moved to Japan to teach English having never taught anything before but just wanted a way to live abroad - found I absolutely love teaching and in various ways it's been a huge part of my career ever since. Living abroad also got me into travel writing, blogging and podcasting, all of which have shaped the work I do and the friends I have and ... everything!!
A great story Jeremie. Thank you for sharing. Some people are born to travel. You remind me so much of our younger son. Hope you and Rosie are having a wonderful life in Bangkok. We travel not to escape life or run away from where we have been. Travel opens so many new doors and experiences we would never find at home. Not to mention all the wonderful people we have met along the way.
It’s funny because I’m not sure I was born to travel… I’m the outlier in my family, I definitely caught the bug later in life (at the opposite of Rosie who has been traveling when she was younger with her family).
Yes, you and Rosie are special! Cheers, bravo, and standing ovations!!! Pat yourselves on the back for making it happen. I had to wait till I was in my '50s to start slow traveling, mom life and such. The whole time knowing travel life would come in time. Your insights on India are so interesting to read... All the things we discover teach us much. Please keep writing, we're here learning with you.
Something I've learned to embrace during traveling, which you hit on, is the never-ending cycle of planning and figuring out. It's something I enjoy, but it can get a little overwhelming. What's the currency here? How do I buy a train ticket? Where am I staying on Tuesday? I lost my charger cord, where do I get a new one? Haven't found a great hack to avoid all of this, so I see it as part fo the adventure.
It is completely part of the deal yes.
Like you, this is something I somehow enjoy a bit… so it’s not as annoying as it could be.
“I've learned to embrace” > This is the key here, learning to embrace things we might not enjoy at first glance. It’s what makes the experience more enjoyable on the long run.
This is an interesting read Jeremie. And I can relate to your comments about not missing people. Even though people do think I'm an extrovert - and I can be - I do love my own company.
I think even extroverts need alone time to recharge. We all do.
I could have written almost the same post myself. There are a few small parts I disagree with, and you bet I'm going to tell you. We did it too. We did almost 7 years. With kids. What really jumped out at me was the fact that you didn't miss people. Me too. I never do. I've come to know recently that it's common in those of us with ADHD or autism. I probably have both. You also talk about how you react to a problem or situation being definitive to your experience. Dead right. But I've learned that in a more formal way recently through meditation and other teachings of a spiritual nature. I began to be rid of my anxiety towards those almost 7 years. I was never a good flyer. I was always contemplating how we were all going to die. I developed a mantra that fixed it, long before I started getting into meditation. But the two are basically the same thing, so I was down regulating my fear and my reactions. The thing I disagree with slightly is that you say you don't find yourself. I did, somewhat. I found what made me thrive, what I needed and wanted in life, what sort of home I wanted to live in, and more. There was a lot of finding out through trying, for me, almost 60 countries. As soon as we "went home" through Covid, the big house in the burbs was on the market and we bought a shack on acreage. Far from people, much smaller, fewer mid cons. I discovered that I like life more if I have to work for it. Also India is my favourite country. But it does drive you a little insane. I actually rote a post about finding yourself through travel on my travel blog. It involved a lot of deep thought and concluded that travel actually does not change you. I'm still me, I just know myself better. Go read it! On worldtravelfamily.com. Enjoy Bangkok, it's one of my favourite places.
Thank you so much Alyson for this meaningful comment and for sharing your insights.
7 years, with kids, wow 👏 That’s awesome!!
“I'm still me, I just know myself better.” > I love how you worded this actually. It is spot on.
I’m curious, what has been your experience since settling down? Because for me, it’s only been a few months, and I already feel the itch to move 🙃 On the flip side, my wife Rosie is happy and regulated as ever!
I think what I love the most reading your comment is that there is no right answer, no right way to travel, there isn’t a single set of conclusions to draw from the experience… it’s very personal, intimate even sometimes. It affects us in different ways, it changes us (or not) in different ways…
It is an impactful experience that I feel lucky to have experienced.
Hi, so, the settling was forced on us by Covid. That 4 bed 2 bath luxury house in the burbs was in Australia. We were shut for 3 years. I hated it. I hated that my kids had had my final years of childhood stolen. I hated that my mum died on the other side of the world and I watched her funeral online. It was brutal. Once we bought the farm life became fun. I had purpose and goals. I need something to work towards. But I still travel. 1 month so far this year, a couple last year. It's very difficult and expensive to travel from Australia. If you are in Asia or Europe you are so blessed with transport connections. We just have to pay a lot more and endure more hours in the air. But it's still worth it to me. I will get in a plane just to "be in" Hanoi or Bangkok or Kathmandu. I love that feeling and the experiences, so I will always do it. These days just one or other of the kids comes with me. Somebody has to be home with 100 or so animals. And that's OK.
😔 being in Australia during Covid sounds like it was a brutal experience with the severe restrictions. I'm really sorry you had to experience this with the passing of your mom.
Your experience is super interesting. Something I'm finding hard to adjust is going from living in a backpack, owning very little... to being settled and accumulating stuff again. 100 animals, wow!!
Please let me know if you ever come to Bangkok!
I'm in BKK most years. But this year I may not. have an invitation to tour Sri Lanka so I may go that way on my way home to the UK. I haven't accumulated clothes and shoes or random stuff. Just stuff we need. Kitchen stuff and power tools mostly. It's nice being well equipped and prepared. Stick with the old rule of buy something new, something has to go in the bin. I only shop for clothes when I travel and I only carry 7kg, so it has to stay that way. Having a lot of stuff is draining.
As a nomad for nine years, someone used to and comfortable with it just being me and my husband -- but not anti-social! -- your journey very much resembles mind. And you're in Bangkok, probably my favorite city in the world!
I remember you post Michael where you shared about that, and I could relate to your experience as well.
Please let me know if you ever stop by, would love to meet 🙏
A great reflection. Thank you.
Thank you for reading 😊
I’m 4 months into a similar trip and yesterday I had a meltdown. Because you’re right in that ‘you take yourself wherever you go’. I’m at that point where I’m far enough away from everything that was ‘wrong’ with my life to now see what is left. And it’s not easy tackling that, or even knowing where to start!
Hi Jules. I’m sorry you had a meltdown… but I guess it’s what your body and mind needed.
Knowing where to start if far from easy for sure.
Happy to chat if you want someone to listen 🙏
Thank you - appreciate that! I think I had a bit of a breakthrough this morning (much better than breaking down!) and so I've started putting it into words. I need to sit on it for a few days though before I publish but sometimes you just have to break things before you can rebuild fully.
For sure/ Breaking things down to their simplest form can help massively. It offers new perspectives on things. Just like zooming out often helps.
I'm glad you're feeling better ❤️
Thank you for sharing, it deeply resonated with me that you can’t escape grief with travel. Grief isn’t something you overcome. It’s something you learn how to live with.
And for me, travel and creation became the way I learned how to live alongside it.
I agree with you… I don’t think we can fully “get over it” or “move on” from. It just gets easier as time goes on… it hurts less… but it’s still very present.
Great summary of your past 4 years. I'm coming up on 4 years of full-time travel myself. I can relate to much of what you say. I'm an introvert so I've always felt quite comfortable on my own and can handle being by myself. That became even clearer once I started traveling this way. I am perfectly suited for this type of lifestyle. But it's a constant learning ptocess. Looking back I've grown so much in so many ways, and it's been wonderful to experience that change. I totally understand about India. Amazing place but the chaos and lack of personal space grated on me after awhile, too. Best of everything in your next chapter!
Thank you for sharing this Jim. It’s nice to see similar people commenting and getting how I feel… because I do feel like a weirdo something 😅
Traveling is a real growth hack. And it’s never too late to embrace it!
This piece was excellent - love your writing style and your honest approach.
Thank you so much for reading it and taking the time to comment 🤗
Excellent summary of your past four years and its great that you shared the reality of what travel can and cannot do. I've been living full-time in Bali for 8 years so I can relate for sure. We tend to grow in unexpected ways and that's part of the real beauty of putting yourself out in the world. Enjoy the settled life!
“We tend to grow in unexpected ways and that's part of the real beauty of putting yourself out in the world.” > You've said it perfectly here!
Wow 8 years in Bali! What made you pick this island?
I went for a one month visit and fell in love with the Balinese vibe as well as the entrepreneurial spirit too. Still love it overall
Nice! My wife Rosie loves it there, I do less haha.
But one of my favorite places to work is there though, La Brisa. Followed by a pizza from La Baracca… perfect day!
Its not for everyone for sure, as infrastructure problems are very real. But chilling out at La Brisa ain't so shabby lol
Safe travels!
Loved this read. I can resonate with many of your points, as I currently travel full time in my bus in the United States. I feel the same sort of freedom from this lifestyle. I can imagine that the decision fatigue and mental weight of constant planning is challenging. That’s my biggest mental hurdle at times within my daily life so - respect - that sounds truly next level. I’d love to eventually branch out into traveling more countries. Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing your reflections.
Hi Maddie! Wow traveling in the US in a bus sounds so cool as well to be fair 🤩
What motivated you to embrace this lifestyle?
About the decision fatigue and mental weight… as it is for sure real, I’d say that I’d rather worry about that than about “regular life” problems I had in my past life to be honest.
Lots of things, but mostly the freedom and flexibility to follow the flow of my intuition and where I felt called to travel. Yes! I agree, I’d definitely take the decision fatigue over the ‘regular life’ issues any day.
Awesome to read about someone else who is trying to define freedom. I've travelled a ton and it's still my definition of freedom. Great point on it being a mindset, I haven't thought of that. Definitely something I need to try and shift my thinking to.
Thank you Michelle.
This is (strangely) something that I’ve thought about a lot… I noticed when talking to people that many say “I want more freedom”… but then they cannot articulate what would that look like, what they mean by having more freedom. “More time to do what I want”… yes, which is what?
Having clarity around what freedom means to us is what can lead to the first step.
Great question for me to start with...thanks!
Haha, have fun with it 😁
Love this! My partner and I have been travelling and nomadic for 8 years and I definitely agree with all you have said here. While our journey is still not quite finished, we have committed to being in one place in Canada this summer for six months. It may be the start of some sort of home base.
We will see what unfolds.
Your stories of India remind me of how we felt in Egypt. It’s because of that crazy experience that we are hesitant to visit India.
Great insights, thanks for sharing them.
We were so annoyed we left before even seeing the pyramids. Haha.
In 2023 I came back to some very weak and frail parents. I vowed I would stick around mostly until they felt better. Thankfully they are at that point now. But last year we committed to working at a farm nearby so I could be close to them. After this summer we will see what happens. We really want to head south again in the fall.
🙏
Aging parents or missing family events are one of the most difficult parts of choosing this lifestyle. We had to deal with such situations as well, and it’s a mind f*ck…
Living your own life and being where you want vs being where you don’t want to be but close to people you love. Tough one.
Hi Jill! Oh that’s interesting. What motivated this change, the 6 months “stability”, if you don’t mind me asking?
Thank you for sharing about Egypt. I have heard some stories as well, especially from women. It’s still a place on my bucket list… I want to at least see the Pyramids!
Fantastic reflection! I did a slow version of this in my late 20s, living in a few different countries for a year or two at a time teaching, and travelling to nearby spots too. Absolutely changed my entire outlook on life and my career/direction, everything, and got me to know myself a whole lot better too. Some things good, some bad! But to do it was the best decision of my life.
Thanks for sharing Amanda.
“Absolutely changed my entire outlook on life and my career/direction” > This is the thing. I don’t know anyone who didn’t experience a form of that transformation. That by itself is worth all the hassle!
Do you have any highlights to share?
Oh goodness, so many! To scratch the surface - I moved to Japan to teach English having never taught anything before but just wanted a way to live abroad - found I absolutely love teaching and in various ways it's been a huge part of my career ever since. Living abroad also got me into travel writing, blogging and podcasting, all of which have shaped the work I do and the friends I have and ... everything!!
That’s so awesome!
Japan is the number 1 country on the list to visit this year for us!
A great story Jeremie. Thank you for sharing. Some people are born to travel. You remind me so much of our younger son. Hope you and Rosie are having a wonderful life in Bangkok. We travel not to escape life or run away from where we have been. Travel opens so many new doors and experiences we would never find at home. Not to mention all the wonderful people we have met along the way.
Thank you Rosie.
It’s funny because I’m not sure I was born to travel… I’m the outlier in my family, I definitely caught the bug later in life (at the opposite of Rosie who has been traveling when she was younger with her family).
Yes, you and Rosie are special! Cheers, bravo, and standing ovations!!! Pat yourselves on the back for making it happen. I had to wait till I was in my '50s to start slow traveling, mom life and such. The whole time knowing travel life would come in time. Your insights on India are so interesting to read... All the things we discover teach us much. Please keep writing, we're here learning with you.
🥹 thank you for your kind words Debbie, I truly appreciate it ❤️