A Nomad? I was definitely not born one nor do I fit a nomadic personality. In fact, I took up architecture for the love of creating homes. Yet, circumstances made the temporary nomadic lifestyle the best choice for us. Since we always go out of our comfort zones all the time, why not?
I don't mean to burst your bubble. It is not an easy lifestyle but what I do love about nomadic living is not having a routine. I like the constant change. The feeling of unpredictability makes me feel alive and free.
The suitcase is our home. Our life fits into one.
Having experienced living as a family with one suitcase each while moving around allows us to evaluate what really is important. We do have our ups and downs which led me to draft this list based on our experiences.
1.Becoming a Master Minimalist
You will inevitably become one (if not already). Throughout the years of expat life in the Middle East, we knew one day we were bound to move. When the D-day came, we had to meticulously "sift" through our belongings and only keep the essentials. Emptying a two bedroom apartment and discarding the "unnecessary" made us see life in a different perspective. I waved goodbye to my stilettos and parted ways with my hair dryer. The hardest for me was fitting the essentials in 1 suitcase considering the limitation in weight too. Despite having portable ones, I learned to be smart and prioritize comfort and practicality without sacrificing style. We all had to do this including my daughter's who was then a toddler. In the process, you will also master the art of packing.
Imagine yourself fitting your next 1 year in one suitcase, what would you be taking with you?
2.King & Queen of Flexibility
"Change is home." We learn to adapt and adjust our sails where the wind takes us. Though we had goals and long term plans we needed to accomplish, we spent a considerable time, changing our plans due to circumstances. We received a lot of long term questions from friends and family asking us, "How long will you be there? Where will you be in December?" These were hard to answer because they really depend on how our activities and the results of those unfold. Flexibility comes with making fast decisions, the more accurate information we get, the better the decision becomes and so are the results.
3.Nothing is yours
This is a reality that I come to terms with everyday. As we stayed from one hotel and inn to another as soon as we moved out of our apartment in Dubai before staying with a friend, the experience was bizarre waking up in a different place every day. It was definitely hard for my baby then. She had to sleep in different cots everyday.
Bam! Everything is indeed temporary. All I do own is a collection of experiences. Fortunately, traveling with family is not as lonely as being a nomad traveling alone for a very long time. This vault of memories is something no one can easily steal away. It will always build and strengthen our bond. It'll reminds us always that we have each other.
4.Transforming into a Peacemaker
Apart from #2, we learn to thrive and keeping the peace is one of them. Living with friends and family will at one point cause a lot of friction. No matter how good your relationship is. I know you're asking, "why don't you stay at a hotel instead?" Since we're living frugally and have not won the lottery, we can't.
In our case, the reason we chose to become temporarily nomads is to make the most of our time with family and friends before we live far far away, and yes # 5 to stretch our budget. Though we contribute in our own way through chores and food and other expenses, we'll always be grateful for their hospitality and the least we could do is keep the peace. We learned to choose our battles. I failed miserably in this in the beginning but I've realized some things are not worth the fight. Time is too short to dwell on the negative.
5.Stretch the Budget
Living a frugal lifestyle meant, giving up things we were used to do before, like dining out often, unless we choose to. Expect to be smart and wise and always on the lookout for great deals. Again, we don't mind splurging on experiences from time to time. One experience I can tell you is a trip to a theme park in France where we paid a lot for entrance tickets including 1 night of mind blowing theatrical performance. During our first day, I wanted to dine so badly in their 1900s themed restaurant but decided not to. Instead, we chose to spend Eur 5 for 2 persons for 2 meals as opposed to Eur 30 per person per meal. We bought baguettes and pâté in the supermarket with a bottle of water and taboulé all tucked in our backpack. Et voila, while waiting in line, I sat on a rock and ate my sandwich.
6.Feeling Lost When Asked for an Address
When completing administrative forms, even raffle coupons for contact details, I often pause and think of what to write. We end up putting our parents' addresses.
Private space is important. Since starting this lifestyle, I started walking a lot in nature, sometimes alone. It helps me when I feel disconnected and when I feel lonely for the lack of stability. My own space and my own thoughts while walking whenever I feel lost for the lack of address.
7. Visiting Furniture Shops will become a Torture
Because of # 3, It will remind you that whatever you do, you can't buy any of them because you don't have a house or a place to put them in. This is the case for me and it's even more frustrating since I worked as an Interior Designer for a living before becoming a nomad. I can only look at them. "Drool,Arni. Just drool."
8.Shopping Has Become a Distant Memory
Because of # 3 Think many many times before buying anything whether there is space in the luggage. Do I need it? Do I need it? Do I need it?...is the mantra.
9.Currency Conversion in Your Head
Having moved from Dubai to Philippines then France within a span of 3 months, the biggest adjustment was converting Euros to Dirhams in my head all the time during my first few weeks in France. I was converting Pesos to Dirhams too. You will realize that you already acclimatized with the the new place once you stop converting to the old currency.
10.Unexpected Challenges
You'll face unimaginable challenges you never would have expected to come across especially when traveling with your spouse and kids. Things don't go according to plan and it's easy to become frustrated. Like I broke my tooth in half while biting on a hard baguette and facing an expensive dental bill in France without medical insurance kind-of-experience. You'll also gain a lot of learning and future funny stories from these unforgettable moments. It will also shape you and your family.
Again, nomadic lifestyle experiences differ from one person to another and these are based on our own. I would love to hear your tips and learning.
Will you ever consider a nomadic lifestyle? Even a temporary one?
If you had a suitcase for a 1 year travel, what would be in it?
P.S. I wrote this during our 2-year nomadic family experience (2 adults and a toddler) living in different places moving around every 2-4 months having only 1 suitcase each.