Great post. I've always loved and tried to live the effecient lifestyle you write about. It is so hard to escape the value placed on things in our culture. But long ago I began to see the value of experience and relationships. Lots of possessions are for the foolish and eternally miserable.

Good solid useful advice too Taylor.

Joel Mark Witt

Great post. I've always loved and tried to live the effecient lifestyle you write about. It is so hard to escape the value placed on things in our culture. But long ago I began to see the value of experience and relationships. Lots of possessions are for the foolish and eternally miserable.

Good solid useful advice too Taylor.

Joel Mark Witt

Great list – I'd emphasize 2 points:

1. Be flexible – things change and schedules are not set!

and 2. If you have to think if you need it, you probably don't. We *all* over pack and need to accept shedding things from our backpacks.

Great list – I'd emphasize 2 points:

1. Be flexible – things change and schedules are not set!

and 2. If you have to think if you need it, you probably don't. We *all* over pack and need to accept shedding things from our backpacks.

Flexible: something the biggest changes come from within: changing minds, new opportunities, new information good and bad.

Even I *always* over-pack :)

Flexible: something the biggest changes come from within: changing minds, new opportunities, new information good and bad.

Even I *always* over-pack :)

Thanks man… while I've always understood that our society over-values consumption and material possessions (although I still make those mistakes myself from time-to-time), it's taken me way too long to realize the value of experience and relationships.

Just working on catching up :)

Thanks man… while I've always understood that our society over-values consumption and material possessions (although I still make those mistakes myself from time-to-time), it's taken me way too long to realize the value of experience and relationships.

Just working on catching up :)

Learn to listen. One thing I have learned is when you go to a new place, meet new people, etc, the most important thing you can do is learn to really listen to people, and act on their advice – even on silly little things like where to eat, where to camp, or what to wear… It may not be the right advice, or the best, but it will allow you to immediately see and understand how they live and operate in that space, and you can then build quickly from there with your own thoughts/ideas. When others have sen that you gave their take on things a chance, they will be more likely to appreciate what you have to add, and your input later will have much more impact.

Learn to listen. One thing I have learned is when you go to a new place, meet new people, etc, the most important thing you can do is learn to really listen to people, and act on their advice – even on silly little things like where to eat, where to camp, or what to wear… It may not be the right advice, or the best, but it will allow you to immediately see and understand how they live and operate in that space, and you can then build quickly from there with your own thoughts/ideas. When others have sen that you gave their take on things a chance, they will be more likely to appreciate what you have to add, and your input later will have much more impact.

I think “Leave an impact but leave no trace” should be printed on the bottom of travel receipts. This phrasing is a better and more realistic view of what it means to travel and walk the Earth. While I've seen “Leave No Trace” before, it lacks the realization that there is an impact.

In regards to travel for self and/or purpose there has to be an acknowledgment of the impact inherent to the process. The qualitative aspect of impact is a worthy consideration.

I think “Leave an impact but leave no trace” should be printed on the bottom of travel receipts. This phrasing is a better and more realistic view of what it means to travel and walk the Earth. While I've seen “Leave No Trace” before, it lacks the realization that there is an impact.

In regards to travel for self and/or purpose there has to be an acknowledgment of the impact inherent to the process. The qualitative aspect of impact is a worthy consideration.

Great post. I read this right after having spent four hours browsing through a 1/2-lifetime's worth of accumulated “stuff” in my parents' basement. (They're moving, and have politely asked me to remove the college textbooks, transformer, cassette tapes, etc etc.) My parents too, are now trying to shrink their physical presence in order to fit their house-lives into a new apartment-life. It's amazing how much you can accumulate…when you have room in which to store things.

Great post. I read this right after having spent four hours browsing through a 1/2-lifetime's worth of accumulated “stuff” in my parents' basement. (They're moving, and have politely asked me to remove the college textbooks, transformer, cassette tapes, etc etc.) My parents too, are now trying to shrink their physical presence in order to fit their house-lives into a new apartment-life. It's amazing how much you can accumulate…when you have room in which to store things.

I tend to do “a big sort” whenever I come home from a trip, whenever I move, or whenever I'm trying to procrastinate from more important things :) It does tend to keep me from accumulating much “stuff”.

But the key is that this sense of accumulation doesn't just refer to physical things; the accumulation of digital “stuff” and its intrusion into our mental well-being is less obvious yet more invasive.

I tend to do “a big sort” whenever I come home from a trip, whenever I move, or whenever I'm trying to procrastinate from more important things :) It does tend to keep me from accumulating much “stuff”.

But the key is that this sense of accumulation doesn't just refer to physical things; the accumulation of digital “stuff” and its intrusion into our mental well-being is less obvious yet more invasive.

Failing to recognize and value the externalities and lingering commitments we create usually leads to some pretty poor decisions when we take the long-term view.

Agreed: in fact, the process is more important than the result. We are formed more by the routes we take than the destinations we reach (e.g. life, career, travel…)

Failing to recognize and value the externalities and lingering commitments we create usually leads to some pretty poor decisions when we take the long-term view.

Agreed: in fact, the process is more important than the result. We are formed more by the routes we take than the destinations we reach (e.g. life, career, travel…)

Great recommendation; what you've detailed is not just “learn to listen” but also “learn to try”. Asking for ideas, directions or recommendations is always a good idea opens us up to the serendipity of life; acting on and trying these things is how to truly learn.

Great recommendation; what you've detailed is not just “learn to listen” but also “learn to try”. Asking for ideas, directions or recommendations is always a good idea opens us up to the serendipity of life; acting on and trying these things is how to truly learn.

Great post. I was just writing about Todd and Tynan from 'Life Nomadic'. It's just amazing how they've managed to pack everything they need in small 28 L backpack. Amazing.

Great post. I was just writing about Todd and Tynan from 'Life Nomadic'. It's just amazing how they've managed to pack everything they need in small 28 L backpack. Amazing.

I loved reading about their travels, looking forward to hearing more from them when they venture back out again.

I'm still learning how to pack like that :)

I loved reading about their travels, looking forward to hearing more from them when they venture back out again.

I'm still learning how to pack like that :)

[...] a nomad. I know that it’s not so easy, but at least I found some great tips to start with – how to live nomadic lifestyle. PS: Great video from Tynan and Todd showing how to pack ultralight with Deuter Futura [...]

[...] couple weeks ago I wrote about How to Live a Nomadic Lifestyle, primarily focusing on the attitude and approach to living a flexible, nomadic lifestyle. Jay [...]

Excellent tips Taylor!! I've never been a fan of 'stuff' and have always had a small apartment but having recently moved in preparation for our trip I was still surprised by what we got rid of.

'Create your own oasis' is excellent advice. J and I were just talking about how, even though we now live in an apartment furnished with other peoples stuff and, even though we have very little of our own stuff, that we are completely comfortable. We think that his bodes well for our upcoming year of travel as we will need very little to stay comfortable.

Your last point is my favourite. 'You might be living the defining moment of your life right now'…indeed.

Cheers.

Excellent tips Taylor!! I've never been a fan of 'stuff' and have always had a small apartment but having recently moved in preparation for our trip I was still surprised by what we got rid of.

'Create your own oasis' is excellent advice. J and I were just talking about how, even though we now live in an apartment furnished with other peoples stuff and, even though we have very little of our own stuff, that we are completely comfortable. We think that his bodes well for our upcoming year of travel as we will need very little to stay comfortable.

Your last point is my favourite. 'You might be living the defining moment of your life right now'…indeed.

Cheers.

Thanks Gillian. I've been following you guys as you get ready to vault off on your trip and new life, looking forward to hearing more about your experiences and lessons from your travels.

(and thank you for reading all the way to the end…)

Meeting interesting people with great stories is one of the pluses of “social media”… as long as we focus more on the social and less on the media :)

Thanks Gillian. I've been following you guys as you get ready to vault off on your trip and new life, looking forward to hearing more about your experiences and lessons from your travels.

(and thank you for reading all the way to the end…)

Meeting interesting people with great stories is one of the pluses of “social media”… as long as we focus more on the social and less on the media :)

That last point was my favorite as well.

That last point was my favorite as well.

The nomadic lifestyle is so appealing. Great tips on how to make the most of it! In the end, I think one's attitude is what makes or break a trip, how well one copes with challenges and changes when being on the road.

The nomadic lifestyle is so appealing. Great tips on how to make the most of it! In the end, I think one's attitude is what makes or break a trip, how well one copes with challenges and changes when being on the road.

Attitude is everything; but even our attitude shifts over time as our experiences shape us, as our frame of reference gets wider (or smaller, perhaps).

Attitude is everything; but even our attitude shifts over time as our experiences shape us, as our frame of reference gets wider (or smaller, perhaps).

[...] has been and what might be. Think about what you want out of your city, your neighborhood, your life. The peace, the stillness, the presence of mind; cut out the cacophony and listen to your [...]

[...] take the detour, go somewhere not on the map, in the guidebook, in your plans or dreams; listen to suggestions, remind yourself why you travel and trust your [...]

These are all really useful tips about th mindset that will make all the difference in whether you enjoy your traveling life or end up finding it a chore. Love the bit about “what you own ends up owning you” – it's incredibly liberating to travel with just a few small bags of stuff.

Thanks; yes, attitude and mindset frames our experience more than anything else (travel and life). Expanding on the idea of “what you own ends up owning you”, you might find it interesting to note that I spent $47 a day on my recently-finished road tip: http://www.unstructuredventures.com/uv/2009/04/…

[...] USA, abroad, doesn’t matter. Virtual or on-site, not terribly important. I’m fairly nomadic by nature and can move very quickly if needed. All I would ask for is help in finding a place to [...]

[...] an irregular series about how to live a nomadic life and how much a nomadic life costs, some thoughts about how to pack for travel and a list of what I [...]

[...] in Dallas and my personal space at home. I love to travel, but I don’t desire to be a digital nomad for any longer than the length of my next trip.  That connotations of being location independent [...]

Tip :
Live with Nature.

I am planning nomad's life – next year most probably.

[...] attention to the long-term impacts of seemingly short-term decisions. What you own ends up owning you; contracts, leases, loans, expenses small and large: all have implications beyond the initial [...]

well written it something learning.

[...] we spend most of our time acquiring. But it also comes with a certain peace of mind and soul: “what we own ends up owning us”, and by removing stimuli and focusing on true needs rather than wants, we can re-focus on people, [...]

hi, i don't wanna say much, i just love the “what you own ends up owning you”.
good job!

Following this line of thinking, you'll really like the content at http://mnmlist.com/

Following this line of thinking, you’ll really like the content at http://mnmlist.com/

I do; and I also like the design aesthetic :)

I do; and I also like the design aesthetic :)

[...] in Dallas and my personal space at home. I love to travel, but I don’t desire to be a digital nomad for any longer than the length of my next trip.  The connotations of being location independent (or [...]

Best way to live a nomadic life is to get rid of most of your stuff, I had a trial separation with all my stuff using a storage unit (you can use http://www.storagefront.com/ to find one near you)

Hey Taylor, great post. After a year and a half, I just got a bunch of boxes out of a free storage space. Even though I thought my possessions were thinned down, going through all this made me realize how much crap I have to sell.

Fortunately, Craigslist is a great way to fund a nomadic lifestyle.

Every time I come home I’m surprised by how much of the stuff I have held onto I actually use. It is a liberating feeling to get rid of boxes of accumulated stuff.

Incredibly liberating. Every single time.

Hi Taylor, I’m Queen. I’m 17 years old and set to start my 12th grade year in high school in a couple of months. I actually hope to become a modern day nomad someday, but how do you find work? Or is it only possible when your job allows you to be nomadic, such as an artist or maybe even a musician?

Hi Taylor, I’m Queen. I’m 17 years old and set to start my 12th grade year in high school in a couple of months. I actually hope to become a modern day nomad someday, but how do you find work? Or is it only possible when your job allows you to be nomadic, such as an artist or maybe even a musician?