Leaving behind any kind of life, for any reason and starting a new one can be very intimidating. Choosing to become a nomad, thus requires a great deal of courage, will power and accepting any kind of changes that may come along the way.
Living a life with minimal necessities and breaking away from ‘normal’, is a life worth living. Our friends, family or even spouses would be skeptical and instantly mark us as “crazy.” But you see, it’s quiet simple, this life we talk about… this societal burden is not for all to carry.
Choosing to live like a nomad, is like choosing to live the vegan life – it is not a lifestyle, rather a way of life. And “choosing” to follow this way of live with an unconventional profession is simply a nightmare.
In case if you are bored with your fixed job or long to come out of your monotonous life and embrace the Nomadic life, here are some very effective first hand tips from my own experience as a nomad, to help make your life easier while traveling:
1. Finances in order
Finding a remote job in a remote destination can be a challenge. There are no short cuts in leading in a nomadic life. Us nomads, basically live on what we can find while we graze our way into the unknown.
The bare minimum we do get paid, by the projects we are lucky enough to find is our only chance to save or make the most of it.
We can create an income source by working as a freelance content writer, earning from a travel blog, volunteering in fields such as – farming (to work directly with the earth), education (to work with young souls and have a chance to become an inspiration for them) or working in cafes and restaurants(to connect with new people from across the global) that we find along our way.
You see, this life is meant to be lived on the bare minimum with nature and natural resources. We choose to become a nomad to leave society, money and “normal” way of life. And in the process of doing this, we find a true awakening in our souls.
2. Social Stigma
Once we have acclimatized ourselves to living with nothing – a home, money, family or friends, we have the next hurdle to cross. Imagine a nomad wandering into the city, our human nature compels us to question this unusual behavior. “Where is he/she from?”, “what are they doing?”, “why are they doing this?”.
Similarly, when a nomad from the city wanders into a village, the village community have the same questions about us. Especially when a “young Indian woman” decides to break the rules of the society, it seems totally unacceptable.
It becomes a daily struggle to answer the same questions over and over again, ironically when that is the exact same reason you left behind “that” life. Fortunately, there is always way to deal with any situation. Try to be friendly with the village community but be stern.
Observe their daily routine and try to be a part of them. If you happen to be visiting a remote village during a local festival, engage with them. Ask questions about their traditions and be willing to be a part of it. Be genuine with what you say, even if you do not wish to answer personal questions.
You can also offer to teach your skills to the locals around you and show them through your actions, that the nomadic life agrees with everyone.
3. Destination Dilemma
Usually the simplest answer is the right one. Moving from one destination to another can be quite overwhelming. Choosing the amount of time we spend in any place while we travel is not up to us.
We may stay for one day and feel connected to a place and many times our own four walls don’t seem like home. A nomad survives on the goodwill of the humans and animals we meet on the way.
We gain first hand experience of the good and the bad. And soon our instincts start kicking in like a reflex. Our souls start to see what our eyes cannot. It starts to feel and understand what our mind and heart cannot.
It is very intimidating to live all alone and to just trust your instincts, but as time passes, we only become stronger.
4. Relationship Status
The most important part about being a nomad is to leave behind the life we were taught to follow. Many nomads are college dropouts, or highly educated and successful people who leave established businesses, a loving family or a life filled with regrets behind to start a fresh new life.
Choosing to leave behind everything, it is challenging to find someone who would truly understand and appreciate what we do. We begin to value everything in life and find solace in living with Nature. Nomads cannot be tied down by relationships, jobs, bills etc.
Nomads are ghosts, we come into being for a reason and leave silently for a reason. This does not mean we despise the “normal way of life”, we just “choose” a “different” way of life.
5. Perks of being a Nomad
Once a Nomad, Always a Nomad!
Being able to live exactly the way you want, can be highly liberating. Sooner or later, our loved ones make peace with our choices, when they get the assurance that we are safe.
Gradually we stop looking glamorous, we don’t have to worry about new clothes or accessories. We are constantly training for survival while enjoying everything that life brings at us.
We have endless time to spend with ourselves and our thoughts – Dissect every thought we have ever had, every word we have ever spoken and every action we have ever taken. We may seem careless to the normal eye, but in our hearts we now know what matters the most.
The human mind is capable of handling intense situations and does wonder when put to productive use. Overcoming any fear is easier said than done, but once done… there is no turning back.