On the other hand, there does seem to be some blowback - a return to community life. But we don't seem to know how to do it anymore - and it shows, in the way our communities are crumbling to pieces around us (literally - bridges & buildings falling down, water systems failing, gas mains exploding) - and we seem unable to think and work together toward fixing things.
nomading in a new country has all kinds of challenges: visas, language and cultural differences, finding housing, food poisoning, miss some modern conveniences, etc. Starting my own biz is way less secure than W2 paycheck, has sporadic income, worse health insurance options, success/failure all on your shoulders, it’s a different kind of pressure than corporate life, etc.
Plus side: incredible sense of freedom and control over one’s life, no political or bureaucracy games, work when/where/with whom I want, lower cost of living (ie electricity bill is $7-12 a month), higher overall quality of life, easy to make new friends, can afford to eat out more, way less stressful, makes you realize US way of living isn’t the best in every way, challenges long held societal beliefs, opens your mind to new ways of living/thinking about life.
I could go on but I’m meeting many people attempting to live this new American dream, some make it happen and have amazing rich lives, but some run out of money or get lonely and go home. Still worth the attempt though, you’ll have memories and a new outlook on life even if you go back.
Absolutely. Nomading is tough and incredible at the time same.
Pirate Kat here — I've been a digital nomad since 2016, living and working in dozens of countries and cities. So I understand how you feel!
Have you read the Digital Creation Game, Position Yourself, or Be Known For A Niche You Own mini-books? Those are great if you're working to create your niche and explain why what you do is different. Once you have that, you'll be known for your niche — and it won't matter where you are in the world. People will come to you (online) because you're building that demand.
thanks Kat, I have been thinking about becoming a category of 1 for a while but with the mass proliferation of creators lately it feels harder and harder to break through the noise and be known for something. But I definitely see the value in escaping the “me too” bucket, will keep putting my ideas out there. What is the niche you’re trying to own?
It definitely can be. The key is to find what what outcomes you drive for people and the solution you offer that's so different, no one else can copy it.
You might also want to read Snow Leopard and Category Superpower, if you haven't yet:
My superpower is helping entrepreneurs who have found their category POV share it with the world via writing. Right now, I'm doing that with Category Pirates. But I've done it in the past by helping write and edit books, articles, etc.
I’m a brand/rebrand strategy consultant but there are many consultants and creative agencies doing similar work so am looking to differentiate. I get the category design concept, just finding it hard to execute when your skill set is similar to other people.
On the other hand, there does seem to be some blowback - a return to community life. But we don't seem to know how to do it anymore - and it shows, in the way our communities are crumbling to pieces around us (literally - bridges & buildings falling down, water systems failing, gas mains exploding) - and we seem unable to think and work together toward fixing things.
Love this Miles!
Humans desire a mix of independence and community, with each of us having a unique mix that can change at different stages of life.
I do think the macro shift is in the type of community people are seeking:
- Company (cube farms) vs. Career communities
- Mandatory (have to) vs. missional communities (want to)
- Analog (cube farms) vs. Digital communities (mighty networks, substack)
Independence, love this
this is great, I’m trying to live this new dream, it’s not easy but it’s rewarding and more interesting than slow death by cubicle farm
What's the most interesting and challenging thing about it for you?
nomading in a new country has all kinds of challenges: visas, language and cultural differences, finding housing, food poisoning, miss some modern conveniences, etc. Starting my own biz is way less secure than W2 paycheck, has sporadic income, worse health insurance options, success/failure all on your shoulders, it’s a different kind of pressure than corporate life, etc.
Plus side: incredible sense of freedom and control over one’s life, no political or bureaucracy games, work when/where/with whom I want, lower cost of living (ie electricity bill is $7-12 a month), higher overall quality of life, easy to make new friends, can afford to eat out more, way less stressful, makes you realize US way of living isn’t the best in every way, challenges long held societal beliefs, opens your mind to new ways of living/thinking about life.
I could go on but I’m meeting many people attempting to live this new American dream, some make it happen and have amazing rich lives, but some run out of money or get lonely and go home. Still worth the attempt though, you’ll have memories and a new outlook on life even if you go back.
Absolutely. Nomading is tough and incredible at the time same.
Pirate Kat here — I've been a digital nomad since 2016, living and working in dozens of countries and cities. So I understand how you feel!
Have you read the Digital Creation Game, Position Yourself, or Be Known For A Niche You Own mini-books? Those are great if you're working to create your niche and explain why what you do is different. Once you have that, you'll be known for your niche — and it won't matter where you are in the world. People will come to you (online) because you're building that demand.
Go check them out and let us know what you think:
https://www.categorypirates.news/p/the-digital-creation-game-exiting
https://www.categorypirates.news/p/position-yourself-or-be-positioned
https://www.categorypirates.news/p/become-known-for-a-niche-you-own
thanks Kat, I have been thinking about becoming a category of 1 for a while but with the mass proliferation of creators lately it feels harder and harder to break through the noise and be known for something. But I definitely see the value in escaping the “me too” bucket, will keep putting my ideas out there. What is the niche you’re trying to own?
It definitely can be. The key is to find what what outcomes you drive for people and the solution you offer that's so different, no one else can copy it.
You might also want to read Snow Leopard and Category Superpower, if you haven't yet:
https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Leopard-Legendary-Writers-Category/dp/1956934456
https://www.categorypirates.news/p/category-superpower-why-your-greatest
My superpower is helping entrepreneurs who have found their category POV share it with the world via writing. Right now, I'm doing that with Category Pirates. But I've done it in the past by helping write and edit books, articles, etc.
What are you working on?
I’m a brand/rebrand strategy consultant but there are many consultants and creative agencies doing similar work so am looking to differentiate. I get the category design concept, just finding it hard to execute when your skill set is similar to other people.