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Help I can't become a digital nomad, I have too much stuff

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Re: Help I can't become a digital nomad, I have too much stuff

#51

Post by Brian_K_White »

I could not live without various physical hobbies that require workshops full of benches, tools, parts, and materials.

I don't just want to own a guitar and a recumbent trike, I want the hobby of hacking on guitars and bikes.

Even the tools are their own hobby. I don't just want to rent a few hours on a 3d printer, I want to hack on 3d printers.

And forget my vintage computers, those are right out. They need shelves full of irreplaceable ancient spare parts, and acessible not off in storage.

Tourism is nice for a while but to be a tourist barely sampling your own life perpetually?

Re: Help I can't become a digital nomad, I have too much stuff

#52

Post by blunte »

Getting rid of stuff "properly" can be an overwhelming challenge.

I know I can live with just two backpacks. So now I have a lot of decent/nice/expensive stuff that I don't really need but don't really know how to get rid of properly (without great effort).

If I could find a reliable person or service who would try hard to find a good home/buyer for each of my items, I would happily give up 50% of whatever money was collected. But I just don't have the time or motivation to try to list and sell all my stuff.

Re: Help I can't become a digital nomad, I have too much stuff

#53

Post by schrijver »

askonomm wrote: post #38
schrijver wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks, interesting stats. The average length of staying in one place 71 days, still pretty short compared to the norm, living somewhere for a few years to forever. The stats don’t really mention how long people keep up this lifestyle though—only that there were no respondents older than 44! For me it’s hard to imagine living this way because I like to feel connected to where I live, and that takes more time and inve…

I am a "nomad", but I usually stay in one country for an entire year. The reason why most people stay 3-6 months is because of visa restrictions, which forces people to do country hopping. I don't have visa restrictions between Argentina and EU, as I'm a resident of both, and so like to stay in one place for a minimum of a year usually, which is long enough to be comfortable, but short enough not to get bored. I defi…

If you read artist’s bios, it’ll often say they’re “based in” a certain place. I’ve always found that a bit pretentious, as if artists don’t simply live somewhere, they need a fancier word. But I’m starting to understand it better, I think they mean having a place that you keep gravitating back to, even if your work and live might take you all over the place. And where you can keep your stuff :)

Good luck with finding your model! These last years must have been an enriching experience whichever way.

Re: Help I can't become a digital nomad, I have too much stuff

#54

Post by blunte »

LAC-Tech wrote: post #43

I don't think I want to go back working on a laptop on random furniture. I did it for almost two years, and as soon as I got a bigger place I bought two desks, a big giant chair, 32" monitor, fancy keyboard, external webcam, mic, etc etc - and I love it.

Big monitor and standing desk -- those are the two things I miss when I travel/work. The monitor can be purchased locally usually and then sold/given away when leaving, but the desk is something I haven't solved yet.

Re: Help I can't become a digital nomad, I have too much stuff

#55

Post by cersa8 »

blunte wrote: post #54
LAC-Tech wrote: post #43

I don't think I want to go back working on a laptop on random furniture. I did it for almost two years, and as soon as I got a bigger place I bought two desks, a big giant chair, 32" monitor, fancy keyboard, external webcam, mic, etc etc - and I love it.

Big monitor and standing desk -- those are the two things I miss when I travel/work. The monitor can be purchased locally usually and then sold/given away when leaving, but the desk is something I haven't solved yet.

They say "sitting is the new smoking". I work standing, with my laptop mounted on a tripod. The nice thing is that I can often work on my laptop in the garden. Sometimes I do a moderate workout on a stepper if the work doesn't require carefully touchpad / mouse input.

Re: Help I can't become a digital nomad, I have too much stuff

#56

Post by blunte »

camillomiller wrote: post #2

I’ve been around Digital Nomads for a long time and I’ve been working digitally and remotely for periods of time most of my life. The sense of eradication Nomads are looking for can bite you back quite bad. This is something seldom discussed in DN circles, especially by hyper-positive (or toxic positive) digital Bromads of the “I dropship therefore I’m an Internet Entrepreneur” variety. Digital Nomadism is also very…

I did the big house, three cars, long crappy commutes in traffic, and no visible nature other than manicured lawns. No matter how much nice stuff I put into my house, or how nice my car was (I _did_ love my enormous Lexus!), it wasn't satisfying.

For me, it was less about "going against" and more about "escaping from".

Of course we have Western privilege. But when I travel, I'm not being an ass and throwing money as I step on locals. I meet locals, eat at local places (as well as touristy/western). From my experience, it seems my presence is welcomed and appreciated. My Western privilege is providing additional income and opportunities for locals. I also avoid the obnoxious DN-bros, because in general I dislike any bro-culture (or overt superiority complex people).

Re: Help I can't become a digital nomad, I have too much stuff

#57

Post by blunte »

cersa8 wrote: post #55
blunte wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Big monitor and standing desk -- those are the two things I miss when I travel/work. The monitor can be purchased locally usually and then sold/given away when leaving, but the desk is something I haven't solved yet.

They say "sitting is the new smoking". I work standing, with my laptop mounted on a tripod. The nice thing is that I can often work on my laptop in the garden. Sometimes I do a moderate workout on a stepper if the work doesn't require carefully touchpad / mouse input.

I'm waiting and hoping for a good VR work solution. This would look really stupid, but I can imagine a split keyboard with each half strapped to my upper leg, VR glasses, and... well that's all!

For the last 15 years, almost all of my computer work, gaming, Netflix, etc. stuff is done standing. I find sitting unpleasant now (which makes 12 hour flights a literal pain sometimes). I'm almost never tired standing, even after an entire waking day on my feet.

Re: Help I can't become a digital nomad, I have too much stuff

#58

Post by physicles »

schrijver wrote: post #53
askonomm wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am a "nomad", but I usually stay in one country for an entire year. The reason why most people stay 3-6 months is because of visa restrictions, which forces people to do country hopping. I don't have visa restrictions between Argentina and EU, as I'm a resident of both, and so like to stay in one place for a minimum of a year usually, which is long enough to be comfortable, but short enough not to get bored. I defi…

If you read artist’s bios, it’ll often say they’re “based in” a certain place. I’ve always found that a bit pretentious, as if artists don’t simply live somewhere, they need a fancier word. But I’m starting to understand it better, I think they mean having a place that you keep gravitating back to, even if your work and live might take you all over the place. And where you can keep your stuff :) Good luck with findin…

This resonates with me. Like GP I find going full nomad too lonely, so I just started experimenting with spending maybe 60% of the year in my “base”, and taking 2-4 week trips here and there. So far so good!

Re: Help I can't become a digital nomad, I have too much stuff

#60

Post by schwartzworld »

detaro wrote: post #37
schwartzworld wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ikea was founded in 1943, so there is not 70 year old Ikea furniture anywhere.

bad news: 1943 is more than 70 years ago. (probably still almost true though)

Damnit. That's what I get for responding at 5am.
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