BECOMING A NOMAD WAS NOT EASY
Becoming a nomad was one of the best decisions and greatest accomplishments of my life. But anyone who thinks it was easy or says, "Wow, do you live traveling? Easy, I could do that too!" is mistaken.
After completely changing the direction of my professional life (and still seeing it as very uncertain), I finally managed to embark on my journey after over 4 years of planning. It didn't happen overnight. It wasn't a case of "I'll leave everything behind and go." My process involved planning, financial reserves, being 31 years old... But with a strong desire to experience everything I had to live.
Over time, I stopped thinking, "What if this isn't what I want? What if I regret it?" and started thinking, "If I want to go back, I'll go back. It's as simple as that..."
"How long will you stay away?"
"When will you return?"
"Where will you start?"
"Why do this?"
"Wouldn't it be better to use your money to buy an apartment?"
These were questions I was asked regularly, which became intrusive thoughts that insisted on sabotaging me... External pressure, people who thought it was just a phase, that I was too old for it, others who questioned how I would have a relationship living this way, if I could sustain myself, if I had any intention of settling down or if I would just hop from country to country...
I know these are legitimate questions, often coming from those who truly cared about my well-being. But the truth is, none of that should matter. First of all, I am already a responsible adult who knows how to plan, and secondly;
- No one questions someone who dreams of having a child, getting married, or achieving a high position within a company as much as they question someone who wants to explore the world. Someone who wants to learn cultures, history, and geography through firsthand experiences. Why is that still so strange?
When I truly decided to stop contemplating and dreaming and start planning, when I understood that I felt trapped, that I needed to break free, to explore the new and embrace what the world has to offer, I didn't tell anyone. I only revealed my plans when I was certain and had a set date to fly, so that external opinions wouldn't dominate my thoughts.
And so, I did it. It has been over a year now since I truly consider myself a digital nomad. I started my journey in Europe, and now I'm in South America, and letting life take me to the next destinations.
Although I know my life is still not 100% the way I would like it to be, I know that I am where I should be. And I don't plan on stopping anytime soon... Or maybe I will. After all, I don't put pressure on myself anymore. If I want to return, I will return. If I want to settle down somewhere else, I will. And if I want to continue my nomadic life (which I think is the most likely scenario, haha), I will. And that's the wonder of my freedom.
