Roots vs. Nomad Life vs. Something in Between
Revisiting Past Life Chapters To Help Write My Next One
I originally wrote the following little one-on-one conversation with myself years ago, at a point where I was starting to seriously question whether life I had built actually fit me anymore.
Now, after having sold that house (and much more) and years of living nomadically — with no permanent place to go back to while nomadic — I found myself rereading it while thinking about what the next chapter might look like. Longer time in one place and less travel from that place than what I’m currently doing.
Maybe even establishing some roots in a country other than my original — like Spain. (Yes, my healthcare and the still-fairly-new costs of living with Type 1 Diabetes in the U.S. are definitely factoring into this decision.)
There’s a weird “in-between” space that happens when your old life no longer fits, your current life is in need of a strong evolution, and the next version isn’t fully clear yet. This piece lives somewhere amidst all of that.
I’m not revisiting this because I regret the choices I made. Quite the contrary. Those choices created openings upon openings that allow me to make even more unique choices as life goes on.
I’m revisiting this because some of these questions are worth asking again, from a more experienced place. It’s valid and important to listen to the voices in my head, even the ones from the distant past.
So In a moment I’m going to go all third person on you (or me?).
But first, let’s set the stage for the little personal tongue-lashing I’m about to give myself in the name of progress.
Ever ponder whether traditional homeownership is right for you...even if you’re literally a homeowner already? Hopefully this slightly unhinged rant helps you think about some things they didn’t mention in the brochure! 😉
Different Strokes for Different Folks!
Don’t forget that I’m just one guy with my own crazy opinions. Take what resonates to you, let go of what what doesn’t, and take it all with a grain of salt and a tongue firmly in cheek, as it was meant as I wrote it!
Also worth noting: this was written a few months before I went fully nomadic and sold the house and my belongings, yet after years of very calculated comfort zone crashing and experiments! Context matters my friend!
Onward!
“I Should Have Done It Sooner”
The past year brought around as much change for me as the previous eight combined. I offloaded more than 75% of my possessions and minimized my footprint significantly. But the one thing that remained a constant thorn in my side was my house — and what to do with it.
I went back and forth repeatedly: keep living in it, get a roommate, rent it out, hire a management company, or just sell it and cut all the strings and hit the road?
I’ve heard it hundreds of times: “My biggest regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.” This is the classic mantra of people who finally sold or downsized most of their things and stepped into a minimal or even nomadic life.
That’s easy to read. Much harder to execute when it’s your own stuff, your own house or apartment, and your own fears bubbling up in the background of it all.
Home Ownership 101: 18 Bags of Leaves Can’t Be Wrong
Most of these epiphanies hit after getting home from a three-week apartment-sitting trip to Seattle, pushing my “digital nomad test run” experiments even further.
I got a ton of work done on that trip, explored like crazy, played, with so much less stress without the distractions of my home.
Now that I’m back, I’m on day four of nonstop “catching up” on chores that come with my little dojo. Yesterday, after about four hours of raking and bagging leaves, the camel’s back finally snapped under the pressure.
Enter My 3rd-Person Self to Knock Some Sense Into Me
Here are the twelve very convincing excuses I’ve used to justify not selling my house — lovingly accompanied by the smart-ass, sarcastic responses from my sometimes smarter...but maybe less friendly...inner voice.
1. Homeowner Me:
“I Really Do Enjoy These Home Improvement Projects.”
Smarter Me: Really? That’s awesome — but your friends would be thrilled to have you help on their projects when you get that itch.
The difference? When you don’t own in the house, and projects are optional instead of mandatory.
Also, I’ve heard you say “I’m done with home improvement projects for a while” more times than I can count. How’s that working out for ya?
2. Narcissistic Homeowner Me:
“Walking Around Naked Without an Audience Is the Best.”
Other Me: Relax. You’re a creative guy. I’m confident you’ll find places and ways to let your freak flag fly.
3. Evening Chill Me:
“This Fire Pit I Just Built Is My Happy Place.”
Outdoorsy Me: Says the guy with a ridiculous amount of camping gear and constant complaints about not camping enough.
Campgrounds have fire pits. So do friends. Grab a drink. Get outside. Go hang. You’ll survive.
4. Swedish Chef Me:
“I Finally Finished My Kitchen and It’s Perfect!”
Other Me: It is a great kitchen. But do you really think it’s the only great kitchen out there? I’m pretty sure you’ll make due in whatever kitchen you find, and you have plenty of friends with awesome kitchens who would be happy to let you cook for them.
And those other awesome kitchens might be in a part of the world you’ve never even seen…
5. Packrat Me:
“I Like Having My Garage for Storage.”
Smartass Me: You said it yourself, you got rid of 80% of your crap. Your storage concerns are now a moot point. Storage is no longer the issue you think it is. This isn’t about space — it’s about comfort, and comfort zones.
6. ‘Merica Me:
“Where Am I Going to Put the Doors to My Jeep?”
Traveler Me: Might be time to pause a little longer for a perspective check.
7. Unrealistic Me:
“It’s Nice Having a Place for Friends and Family to Stay.”
Minimal Me: Count how many times that spare room is actually used over the past 10 years you’ve owned your home. Now design your life around that number.
8. In-Denial Me:
“I Actually Like Doing Yard Work. It’s Relaxing.”
Getting-Angry Me: This is possibly the most bullsh*t, denial-based quote ever about homeownership. No, you don’t actually think doing yard work is relaxing, you tell yourself and your friends that because it’s how you cope with the fact that you don’t have a friggin’ choice!
I’m pretty sure that camping, sitting on a beach, or just not doing yard work — when you’re not working to pay the bills — is much more relaxing!
9. Unrealistic Analytical Me:
“What Address Will I Use for My Home Address?”
Realistic Analytical Me: You’ll figure this out if you go fully nomadic. It’s only a scary question until you answer it — then it becomes paperwork.
10. Whiny Me:
“I Like Knowing I Have a Place to Come Back To.”
Tough-Love Me: That’s a safety net, not a necessity. You’re capable of figuring things out without one. Actually, you’ll probably expand much more without that safety net! What do they say? “Burn the boats!”
11. Societal Follower Me:
“Having a House Is a Sign of Being a Grown-Up.”
Grown-Up Me: Been there, done it, now move on and prove to the world that being a “grown-up” actually means making your own choices based on what’s right for you.
12. “Bless His Heart,” Hopeful Me:
“It’s a Good Investment.”
Rational Me: Sometimes. Other times it quietly drains time, money, and energy. An investment should support the life you want — not make you resent it. And often, at best, a house is a long-term, low-yield savings account in the end.
I Feel Better Now…
Seriously. It really is different strokes for different folks. The decision around homeownership is probably the single biggest factor in how much stuff you accumulate — and how much time you spend managing and maintaining said stuff.
Bigger house or apartment. More stuff. More chores. Less freedom to explore what life could look like without all of it…if even for just a year or two of an experimental and exploratory chapter of your life.
Revisiting this now doesn’t mean I’m anti-roots or anti-stability. It just means I’m far more aware of the trade-offs — and more intentional about choosing them this time. Whereas the first time I established roots, I didn’t know what I didn’t know, if you know what I mean.
Whatever the next chapter looks like, I want it to be chosen on purpose — not inherited by default.
Where Are You At In Your Home-Ownership Conversations?
If you’ve ever wrestled with the idea of homeownership — whether you’re in it, left it, or are circling it again — I’m curious...
How strong is your push-pull in one of the directions? Or what’s holding you back from abandoning whatever ship you’re currently on?
Cheers!
— Jason
I personally hate the day-to-day parts of home ownership. The only thing I like is the locked-in payments that get lower and lower each year, due to inflation, and building some equity over time. But the amount of time and money I spend on house projects could easily shift into making more money or doing things that bring me joy (house projects do not). If it wasn't so important to my wife, I don't think I'd own a home... maybe I'd own multiple as rentals if I could afford a team to manage them though. Ha.