Day 16 of the A to Z Blogging Challenge – Thoughts on Being a Nomad
You only live once, so you better make the best of it. During our limited time on earth, it is important to enjoy life and improve its quality in any way we can. The goal is to generally do what you wish with all the benefits of that choice and the lifestyle itself. For some people, that means buying a bigger house or purchasing the latest gadgets, for others starting a family, adopting a pet or changing jobs. For nomads, traveling extensively provides the best quality of life. We all have different values and what defines quality for some, might cause grievance to others.
Although nobody is ever totally free, quality of life to me comes with a lot of freedom and opportunities, attained by making certain choices. I value being able to mostly do what I want. To expand my horizons, be in a warm climate, feel loved by my other half, meet interesting people, have good friends and caring family around, interact with amazing wildlife. To come upon glorious views and intriguing sites, possess few things that could hold me back, develop new skills and understanding for other cultures, and be surrounded by peace and quiet. While most of these desires can be fulfilled while traveling long-term, some cannot, as will become evident in my next A-Z Blog tomorrow: “R is for Relationships”.
And then there is this, of course: one can tire of a certain lifestyle that appeared perfect for some time. Your quality of life can still remain high, while priorities alter and new values pop up, temporarily or not… As long as you have control over the choices you make and the means to accomplish your goals, you can determine the quality of your life.
Mayreau, SVG
What does quality of life mean to you? How did you achieve living the life you want? Have your choices and priorities altered over the years?
Discover more from Roaming About
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
April 20, 2016 at 08:42
Interesting… Although I’ve spent more time travelling than at home for the past couple of years, I cannot imagine myself to live like that for the rest of my life. Then again I haven’t used to like travel at all before so never say “never” 🙂
April 20, 2016 at 11:47
That’s right, Zeljka, never say never! I always tell my husband this, since, you really never know what will happen. If anyone had told me – a woman who gets seasick in a hammock – ten years ago that I would be living and crossing oceans on a sailboat for eight years, I would have said “Never!” 🙂
April 20, 2016 at 09:18
My choices and priorities have definitely evolved over time. When we first got married, we bought a house, fixed it up, furnished it, started a garden and did all of that nesting stuff, which gave me a great quality of life at the time. Now, I live in a tiny boat with very few things. I was happy living in our house and I’m happy now.
Cheers – Ellen
April 20, 2016 at 11:40
What great transitions, Ellen. To get a taste of everything, and liking every bit of it. I feel some similar happiness while being in comfortable homes right now, taking a welcome break from small spaces and discomfort. And, when it is time for something else, that new lifestyle will hopefully work out again as well. 🙂
April 20, 2016 at 09:50
Again, I am loving all your photos! For me, its about relationships and spending time with my SO. I also really love having a nice home; a place to relax at the end of the day. Quality of life is also about learning and bettering myself through reading and learning new skills.
April 20, 2016 at 11:44
Lucy, it sounds like you have – and can achieve – all of that on Independence! Once you are ready to cast the lines and leave the US, you will take similar photos, I am sure! 🙂
April 20, 2016 at 13:01
I think being able to choose what you do next, and control where life takes you, is key to quality since your priorities often change. Tougher to do that if you’re held back by a houseful of stuff!
April 20, 2016 at 14:06
That’s right! It all starts with the choices you make in life, and I am so sick of people calling those decisions “luck”!
April 20, 2016 at 15:21
Quality of life for me is having the people I care about most close (in heart if not location). People over things, always.
April 21, 2016 at 07:58
Having loved ones around always brings happiness! 🙂
April 20, 2016 at 16:08
I tried to do the traditional home with a yard and a husband to mow it, two cars, and the promise of 2.5 kids but it wasn’t right for me. I needed something different in my life and, for now, cruising is it. This lifestyle allows me to hike, travel, spend time with David, spend time alone, read, write, draw, take photographs, meet new and interesting people — all things that have improved my quality to life. The only downside, I don’t get to see my family as much as I would like.
April 21, 2016 at 13:06
Cruising is a great lifestyle and it is a nice thing that you can compare to the “other alternative” of how the majority of people live. I never lived “the American Dream”, so all I know is a basic and exciting life, which is why I am enjoying this house and pet sitting so much now, I think. Some routine and comfort for a change (temporarily). 🙂 Interesting you mention your family, since that is exactly what my blog of today is about: the only downfall to cruising/being a nomad!