Nomadic life

Do you ever dream of throwing everything away, jumping in your car, and just driving on some unknown highway? No roots or obligations. No place in particular to go and nobody knows where you are. People often ask me where I live and I say "the desert." 

And then they ask "no, but like where?"

And I just say "✨the desert✨" I can't be anymore specific than that really. 


I haven't paid rent in 2 years. Although I've gotten a lot of Airbnbs so maybe that counts as rent and I have a storage unit in South Tucson. I don't sleep in my car all that often, probably just 5 times last year. I had a temp job in Alaska for the summer and that's not a desert. I go camping a lot. And I'm an extrovert and I meet new people and make friends easily. Lots of people have opened up their homes, couches and beds to me. There's so many kind and giving people in this world.


I eat a lot of fast food, which really sucks, and it takes a lot of money too. Sometimes I wish I had a place to live so I could have a kitchen. I don't miss the bathroom so much, I shower at the gym, and I pee in alleyways. Charging my phone is always a challenge. Most times I'll go to a library and sit there for a few hours while my phone charges.


There's a Tom Waits song called "Anywhere I Lay My Head I Will Call My Home" and that's been one of my mantras. Nomadic living is being constantly reminded that "I chose to be here." When you choose to exist in a public library chair for hours on end, you at get to claim it as your decision and nobody else's. You feel like you're free. 


Nomadic life also lends to mindfulness. Everywhere I go, wherever I am is my whole life. I lead a pretty inconsequential life, so I don't have to think too hard about things outside of my immediate vision. I don't worry about where I'm going too hard. I have a few plans, but they change all the time. I go where life leads me. I just feel what I feel and do what I do and write what I write.


I feel so hippie-dippie writing this haha. Currently I'm working a temp job in Park City, Utah, I'm driving a city bus. They've put me up in company housing. It's a very short gig, just a few months, so I still feel like a nomad. 


Many times I drive on highways and look at the beautiful desert. If I see a cemetery in the middle of nowhere I stop and walk around it. I love cliff faces, and I'll stop and walk up to cliff faces sometimes. Probably most times though I stare at my phone while sitting in my car.


I feel some guilt because I take a lot of charity and I don't give enough to balance out what I take. But I don't believe in Karma or balance so whatever. I also feel some guilt because I feel so free and so many people in my life feel stuck. I'm really lucky I get to live this way, and I'm grateful for it. I'm grateful for roads and libraries and public transportation. I'm grateful for the desert. I'm grateful for my parents and I'm grateful for the support they've given me. I'm grateful for everyone who offers a warm place to lay down for a while.


Love you all

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