Here at Shrug Life, we have chosen to live our lives without a permanent home base, instead traveling from place to place full-time or for extended periods. We embraced this untethered lifestyle to experience new cultures, meet new people, and enjoy greater freedom and flexibility in our lives. We also have a simple goal: to visit 100 countries. If you are considering a nomadic or perpetually traveling lifestyle, here are a few things that will help you on your journey.

Free your feet, and your mind will follow
Nomadic life is incredibly liberating. You start to embrace the unknown, the unpredictable, the serendipitous meetings of friends old and new encountered along the way, and the accidental detours that often become some of the most memorable and fabulous experiences. It is priceless and difficult to describe the feeling of waking up each day with complete control over your immediate environment.

Or not. Rail strikes, wildfires, canceled flights, electricity blackouts, road closures, and all of life’s other unpleasant surprises are amplified when you’re constantly on the move, whether you’ve traveled a long distance to see something specific or are simply trying to reach your next destination. It’s crucial to remember that these are all part of the journey. This isn’t a perpetual vacation; it’s your life. And just as you would navigate obstacles in your more “tethered” life, as I like to call it, you must deal with these challenges with patience, adaptability, and perhaps a little humor and perspective.

But before we delve deeper into the realities of life on the road, let’s discuss the preparation for your journey – be it a permanent nomadic lifestyle, like the one we’ve chosen, or a more extended sabbatical.