Nomadic Living, Where Everywhere is Home

Whether you are in the Sahara Desert in Morocco or White Sands National Park in New Mexico

Wandering through Substack Notes the other day, I made a serendipitous connection with a few fellow nomads. The Notes led me to Wander, Wonder, Write, a publication by Claire Polders, and a post entitled Taking the Plunge into Nomad Life: On Chance, Change, and finding a home in writing - an origin story. Wow! The story really packed punch, and I’m so happy for Claire and her adventures.

We are as unique as fingerprints. Each nomad approaches the lifestyle in a different way. Claire has traveled many countries. I have traveled just in the U.S. and a bit into Mexico, but have traveled many states. Claire is still ranging far and wide, and my circle has become smaller of late. We converge in the idea of Writing as Home, and having made the choice to be intentionally houseless to sop up every precious drop of vibrant living we could find.

I called my “Newsletter” Roaming the Road (of Life) because I am literally roaming the roads of this world and figuratively roaming the roads of life/living each and every day. You are all my fellow travelers on this life journey. We get to learn to embody endless love and joy along the way.

They say comparison is a sure way to spark discontentment, and it is true that when we compare ourselves to others and what they are doing, we can often feel that we don’t measure up. It’s important to remember that we are each on a different trip, following a different map, living a different itinerary. Your journey is just as valuable as another person’s, even if theirs seems to look more inviting in the glossy brochure.

I love, however, finding fellow travelers with whom I can relate and share stories and experiences.

Claire shares a photo of her in the gorgeous rippling red sands of the Sahara Desert in Morocco. I have traveled to Morocco only in my mind, but I have a photo of me in the gorgeous rippling white sands of White Sands National Park in New Mexico, where I am grateful to have been in person. Her caption was “a transformative experience.” I can relate. I am not comparing to see whose trip is better, I am relating to the essence of a life lived on our terms, seeking out transformation in every direction, in every choice.

The photo of her in that desert makes my heart soar. She chose a sassy pose in the light while shadows overtake the scene just a few steps beyond. I can’t help thinking this photo of hers is bigger than the moment in which it was taken. It is a quintissential emblem of the journey. Becoming a nomad takes strength, courage, sacrifice, and curiosity. Darkness lurks, sometimes taking over for a time, but we can choose to dance in the light and skip past the darkness.

Some people will not understand the choice. Some will say the nomad is selfish, “crazy,” impractical, irrational, immature. Others wish they could take the same journey, calling the nomad brave, insightful, resourceful, “lucky.” Nomads learn to look past all of these labels, to ignore what others are saying, to simply be in each moment, to be grateful every second.

It feels like pioneering, and I ran across some comments that talked about people as Pioneers or as Settlers. I was born with Pioneering wander lust. It needles at you until you heed the call. Remaining a Pioneer is one of the most difficult things there is, and some will land for a time in one place, only to take flight again later. I find comfort in knowing that if and when there are periods of “stationary,” there are also ample opportunites for Pioneering.

Cheers to Claire, and to all who wander. For those mustering the courage, know that it is possible. It isn’t always easy, but it is always interesting.

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If you haven’t been to White Sands, I highly recommend the visit. I will put a draft post in my queue to share some specifics about the National Park and its special features soon.

Pro Tips: DO take your shoes off and walk in the sand. DO bring sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare.

I met a fellow nomad, @Erika Brown-Holsey, while I was in White Sands. W’eve kept in touch ever since. Thanks, Erika, for sharing your adventurous spirit with the world. You can find her on YouTube as @FindingErikaRV.

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