The nomadic mindset is essential for sanity and happiness while traveling or living overseas. It means managing your expectations while becoming the type of person who truly appreciates the journey (and all its messy awkward parts).

This doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of relaxing, inspiring and comforting moments while traveling or living abroad. But like anywhere and anything in life, there are ups and downs.

And the downs you experience as a nomad are unique. So…

If you’re completely new to traveling (but definitely want to live the nomadic life), start small.

Rather than going big and grabbing a one-way ticket to Phuket with just a few coins and a hostel reservation, try exploring the next town (or state) over for a few weeks.

That’s not to say I’m against diving into the deep end (go for it!), but if you’re feeling nervous or prefer to ease into things, this is a great option. There’s nothing wrong with becoming a nomad slowly.

Here are some tips for building a strong nomadic mindset:

Start connecting with other nomads
Practice loving setbacks and awkward moments
Start trying new things—get to know the unknown
Join travel groups and consume inspiring travel content
Clarify your motivation—your “why” for becoming a nomad
Create a traveler alter ego to help overcome fear or anxiety
Identify potential obstacles (like homesickness) and their solutions

Lesson 2: The nomadic mindset