How (and why) To Find Your Travel Tribe
Being a digital nomad, living life on-the-go, and exploring places off the beaten path can seem unusual to those living under traditional societal norms.
Having friends and family that don't support your dreams of extended travel can be FRUSTRATING. Sure, they understand that you love to travel, but don't fully support the end goal. Maybe it's not something they are interested in, or maybe they can't comprehend how it is actually done without being a millionaire. The frustrating part is not having anyone that can relate to you on your travel goals. OR, worse yet, tell you that you can't or shouldn't do it!
Stop Getting Shut Down
Zane Bradshaw (@enazwahsdarb) wrote an article last month discussing why you should evaluate who you spend time with: https://steemit.com/welovesteemit/@enazwahsdarb/who-do-you-hang-out-with
I agree 100%
I used to feel like I was alone in my dreams of long-term travel, which made it extremely hard to get motivated on making it happen. My friends thought travel was cool, but none of them wanted to live as a digital nomad. Most of my family was supportive, because they wanted me to be happy, but didn't think it would really happen. A couple of family members were so against my goal that they actively tried to stop me altogether (that was an ugly time).
It wasn't until I found a group for travelers that EVERYTHING started to change.
Finding My Tribe
Back in 2008, when I first started working on my goal of being nomadic, there were only a few travel blogs by those that had made their dream come true and I devoured everything they had to share/write. One of those blogs had a little banner ad about a new travel group and they were having a meet-up in my local area! . . . It was like a miracle had been gifted to me. I attended that workshop with at least 75 people - all eager to travel. As I looked around the room, I felt like crying - I had found my tribe.
I no longer felt alone in wanting to travel long-term (confidence in my goal solidified), I had new friends that got excited about new information I could share, they helped troubleshoot my itinerary - even daydream what it would be like to FINALLY be on the road. We fed off of each others' energy and passion for travel.
You Are Not Alone
There are a gajillion travel blogs on the web now that will inspire just about every type of traveler, journey-type, and niche-focus. Find an author you connect/relate with and keep reading! That will continue the inspiration while you are working on your dream (and find new friends who are also reading the blog).
A few places where you can meet other travelers:
https://www.meetup.com/topics/couchsurfing/
http://liveyourlegend.net/live-your-legend-local/
OR, . . . you can start your own group: https://www.meetup.com/
Trust Me . . .
. . . your new friends are out there. My old peer group/family may still not fully understand my lifestyle, but they see the happy person I've become for accomplishing my goal and they support me - even turn to me first with travel questions. I still "connect" with my old peer group, but my new peer group (the one I put more effort into) matches my current goals. Take it from Zane and myself - making the change to spend more time with others you wish to emulate will help you reach your goals faster.
Wow thank you for the mention my friend :) You are awesome.
Such valid points you make here! Love it how you said 'your new friends are out there'. So true :) We just need to humble ourselves and go searching.
100% upvote :)
Thank you! I hope it helps aspiring travelers - those that need a little push to get the ball rolling.
In follow-up to your article, since I made the leap to a nomadic lifestyle and discovered the power of a focused peer group, I have changed my group about 4 different times as my goals adjusted. I've found that the friends that stay with you when you evolve are the keepers.
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STOPWhen people try to keep you down it is often jealousy that is the root of the conflict.
If things were different for me I'd travel too.
I can see that being a factor, yeah. Out of curiosity, what would need to change in order for you to travel long-term?
My parents are getting up there in age and sometimes need a hand.
The other reason is mobile income. Don't know how much international travel I would do, but definitely I'd move about the country
This post has received a 3.13 % upvote from @drotto thanks to: @banjo.
Nyce!
That is so very fantastic! I can identify with the feelings; still looking for my tribe, to a great extent... ;)
Thank you for sharing.
😄😇😄
It was kinda surreal. But, sad, too . . . that I had not found my tribe sooner. Like it was a missing piece of my puzzle (that I didn't know I needed).
It's funny that I didn't remember this until right now, but a few months ago, I wrote a "related" article that you may enjoy:
That was a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing the link (I commented over there, too)
So glad you liked it, and that I remembered to share it with you.
I've seen and responded to your comment there, Thanks! ;)
Feeling alone in one's ambitions and desired lifestyle is certainly more than a little tough. :c/
Many know that pain in some form or another - and until one finds a friendly harbour of familiarity and compatible interests it can quite seem like one is a small vulnerable boat in a big hostile ocean.
I am glad to hear that you found your harbour and that you are fit to sail the waters with renewed confidence. I admit that I am curious as to what circumstances need to be true for such a lifestyle choice to be sustainable.
The only other nomad that I am aware of is James Altucher.
I waited for a LONG, long time for the right circumstances (and partner) in order to live my desired lifestyle. I guess I reached a breaking point and decided to do it on my own . . . I was tired of waiting. Once I made that desire a priority, everything else fell into place.
I am happy for you @jannell. :c)
I know how tempting it is and how "logical" it can seem to wait to team up with others. The promise of synergy stays our hand in anticipation.
But as the days, weeks and months roll by, one unfulfilled will feel increasingly restless - and while those first steps that will be taken alone will seem messy - they undeniably take you actual steps closer to your goal - and ironically it is as one nears one's goals that one will be more likely to find those compatible individuals - or a 'tribe' - conducive to achieving that goal.
Thank you for reminding me of this.
I love nomads but I'm not one. I'd love to travel through you here. Hence following you. Keep updating us about your experiences. Thanks!
Hi @xyzashu! Thanks for your comment. I'm pleased you enjoyed the post. Hope you can make your dream come true, too.