I have only just started reading your stuff, so I don't know your reasons for giving up the nomad life. Maybe it was a post-pandemic travel binge... I know quite a few people personally who are doing exactly that. There are a few who I get the feeling would like to stop for a while, and a few who clearly have years of it ahead of them. I've done it on and off since 1992 (seriously!), and will pick it back up in a few years - I'm currently committed to my happy, healthy 12yo dog and establishing a new home base for us early next year. My point is that, while you are not actively pursuing a nomad life, home time is an important piece, absolutely worth mentioning, and most don't even want to admit that.
Hi Katie, thank you for reading. I had basically given up for three reasons: money, work, and a new relationship (with someone who isn’t a nomad). Each has multiple ramifications, so it’s very complex, and it’s not an easy choice. You’re right when you say "home time is important" —I was missing out on a lot. We can nomadize and de-nomadize throughout endless. I really enjoyed hearing that you’ve been doing this since 1992. That’s an incredible story! If you don’t mind, I’d love to interview you for a future edition.
What a pleasure to be mentioned in your newsletter, my friend. I hope you find a way through any challenges you may be facing nowadays with your writing project. No Direction Home is not only a fresh perspective from someone who has lived a nomadic life but also a great piece of writing that I enjoy reading and that helps me a lot to keep my English in practice. Keep at it.
Mateus- I've had this exact same conversation with a friend on whether anything is original on earth or not. My current thesis is that everything is an evolution of the previous. So if original means it's 100% new, then nothing is original. But if original means 60% new (or above), 40% pre-existing, then yes, absolutely there are original things. I also feel that if something is 100% original, very few people would find it interesting. There's a study done on how the Top Billboard 100 music list is curated: When everything on the playlist is 100% new, very few of the listeners would try the fantastic new artists (which in the end is a huge disservice to the new artists they're trying to help). But when part of the playlist is new, and part is familiar/old, listeners would try the new artists as well as listen to the old-timers.
Wow, Thalia, I had never heard about this Billboard Top 100 music study! I read your comment last week, and since then, I've been reflecting on it and have gained a new perspective on everything. Now, I don't feel the need to be completely original anymore haha! But seriously, I feel really satisfied when I finish writing a paragraph that I consider unique and think, 'This is why I write.' Thank you!
So much to digest here. I thoroughly enjoyed this post, Mateus. I've also heard that nothing is truly new anymore, which makes me sad. But at the same time, you can also say we get inspired by existing ideas and add our own twist or perspective to them. In that way, what we write is unique because we're unique. I also struggle with the concept of routines. Thanks for sharing this!
It is my pleasure, Daniel! Indeed, on Substack, I feel inspired by new perspectives on ideas every day, especially when it comes to travel and new ways of life. Sometimes I write or read a comment and think, 'Wow, this is unique!' It’s truly superb when this happen with a single comment!
You're raising very valid points! As the former writer of a blog titled '300 days of England' years after moving away from England, I understand what you mean. How can you write about nomadism while having a home, and staying authentic AND engaging AND offering new ideas AND creative? I don't think I have the answers but find this kind of meta-articles to be extremely authentic and engaging and offering new perspectives and creative. Words all look the same, but your voice is your own (Mastroianni said this about substack voiceovers but, hey, if it fits...)
I have only just started reading your stuff, so I don't know your reasons for giving up the nomad life. Maybe it was a post-pandemic travel binge... I know quite a few people personally who are doing exactly that. There are a few who I get the feeling would like to stop for a while, and a few who clearly have years of it ahead of them. I've done it on and off since 1992 (seriously!), and will pick it back up in a few years - I'm currently committed to my happy, healthy 12yo dog and establishing a new home base for us early next year. My point is that, while you are not actively pursuing a nomad life, home time is an important piece, absolutely worth mentioning, and most don't even want to admit that.
Hi Katie, thank you for reading. I had basically given up for three reasons: money, work, and a new relationship (with someone who isn’t a nomad). Each has multiple ramifications, so it’s very complex, and it’s not an easy choice. You’re right when you say "home time is important" —I was missing out on a lot. We can nomadize and de-nomadize throughout endless. I really enjoyed hearing that you’ve been doing this since 1992. That’s an incredible story! If you don’t mind, I’d love to interview you for a future edition.
I would be honored! ☺️
thx 🙃🙃🙃🤗🤗🤗😘😘😘😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰
What a pleasure to be mentioned in your newsletter, my friend. I hope you find a way through any challenges you may be facing nowadays with your writing project. No Direction Home is not only a fresh perspective from someone who has lived a nomadic life but also a great piece of writing that I enjoy reading and that helps me a lot to keep my English in practice. Keep at it.
Wow, Evilazio, your new comment has made me motivated again. Thank you.
Mateus- I've had this exact same conversation with a friend on whether anything is original on earth or not. My current thesis is that everything is an evolution of the previous. So if original means it's 100% new, then nothing is original. But if original means 60% new (or above), 40% pre-existing, then yes, absolutely there are original things. I also feel that if something is 100% original, very few people would find it interesting. There's a study done on how the Top Billboard 100 music list is curated: When everything on the playlist is 100% new, very few of the listeners would try the fantastic new artists (which in the end is a huge disservice to the new artists they're trying to help). But when part of the playlist is new, and part is familiar/old, listeners would try the new artists as well as listen to the old-timers.
Wow, Thalia, I had never heard about this Billboard Top 100 music study! I read your comment last week, and since then, I've been reflecting on it and have gained a new perspective on everything. Now, I don't feel the need to be completely original anymore haha! But seriously, I feel really satisfied when I finish writing a paragraph that I consider unique and think, 'This is why I write.' Thank you!
So much to digest here. I thoroughly enjoyed this post, Mateus. I've also heard that nothing is truly new anymore, which makes me sad. But at the same time, you can also say we get inspired by existing ideas and add our own twist or perspective to them. In that way, what we write is unique because we're unique. I also struggle with the concept of routines. Thanks for sharing this!
It is my pleasure, Daniel! Indeed, on Substack, I feel inspired by new perspectives on ideas every day, especially when it comes to travel and new ways of life. Sometimes I write or read a comment and think, 'Wow, this is unique!' It’s truly superb when this happen with a single comment!
Absolutely. A few posts have been inspired by fellow reader/writer comments!
You're raising very valid points! As the former writer of a blog titled '300 days of England' years after moving away from England, I understand what you mean. How can you write about nomadism while having a home, and staying authentic AND engaging AND offering new ideas AND creative? I don't think I have the answers but find this kind of meta-articles to be extremely authentic and engaging and offering new perspectives and creative. Words all look the same, but your voice is your own (Mastroianni said this about substack voiceovers but, hey, if it fits...)