Generation Nomad

We all talk about quitting our jobs and travelling the world. But a growingnumber of women are actually living the dream. Meet the roamers.

- Amna Shamim & Yolisa Mjamba

My brother tells everyone I’m homeless, and he’s not wrong. I make a good income, but I work on a laptop and live out of a suitcase, moving from town to town, country to country, wherever I’m in the mood to land for a while. It started in October 2014. I was going through a rough period in New York, US – roommate problems, feeling stuck at work, a terrible breakup (bad things seem to come in threes). The plan was to take a breather and explore the world for a few months. But the break from my life turned into my actual life. Through a guy I met in Malaysia, I ended up joining an online group for nomads, and just like that, I discovered a whole subculture of women who choose to be ‘location independent’, work remotely and call no single place home.

One of them, Eunji Choi, was earning a ton and having the time of her life. The way that she had put what’s right for her ahead of what society thinks she should do really inspired me. So after I figured out how to support myself remotely, I took to the road. There are definitely more male nomads than female, but there are more of us every day. It does take self-motivation to work when your office is a coffee shop looking out over a gorgeous beach in Varadero, Cuba, which is where I’m writing this. But minutes after I’m done, I’ll be splashing around in that crystal turquoise water. That’s a happy hour that was hard to come by in my former city life. As I’ve roamed – 21 countries and counting – I’ve asked and answered many questions about this lifestyle, so let me cover some of the most popular:

DO YOU HAVE A HOME BASE?

No. I’ve learnt that my home isn’t a place (although I do use my mom’s address for bills and voting) or the objects inside – I just can’t bear the thought of having more stuff to drag around!

HOW MUCH STUFF DO YOU HAVE?