We are all nomads
Or rather, we have an intrinsic need for movement
One of the key observations after my "de-nomadization" is that I never really stopped being a nomad. Since August, I've been to Avaré (my hometown) twice, Curitiba once, Florianópolis once, and the Serra da Mantiqueira once—spending 21 days away from home.
As I've argued a few times in this newsletter, nomadism is more of a mindset or a label. Life itself is inherently nomadic the moment we start moving daily for school, work, or errands. Nomadism is just a fiction. What truly exists is "movism"—a constant need or obligation to move.
Even in moments of rest, life is "movist." Of course, I love spending Saturday or Sunday at home, lounging in bed, relaxing on the couch, or reading a book in the garden—especially on rainy days. But I've noticed I'll find any excuse to leave the house on weekends. Whether it's a bar, a restaurant, a park, a movie theater, the grocery store, an exhibition, a shop, or just aimlessly wandering the streets, I always feel compelled to get out.
Looking back, I've always been this way, even before embracing nomadism. The other day, I wrote that nomadism isn't for everyone. But you know what? Neither is "non-movism." In our society, people who rarely leave their homes are considered odd.
Everyone seems to pack their weekends with activities, from the poorest to the wealthiest, from coworkers to family members. Trying to schedule a meetup in adult life post-30? That takes months of planning.
And "movism" can manifest in all sorts of ways. In smaller towns, it might be walking to the bakery in the morning or visiting a friend for tea in the late afternoon. Even aimlessly wandering around your home contributes to the movist way of life.
Nomads just take movism to the next level, turning movement into a lifestyle.
That said, technology has stolen a lot of our movist time. We waste countless hours scrolling through dull social media feeds while slumped on a couch.
The car can either be a friend or a foe to movism. It undeniably offers more freedom in getting around, but if misused, it can speed up our descent into a sedentary lifestyle. Walking as much as possible is essential.
Let's support No Direction Move!
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