{"id":72028,"date":"2017-12-05T05:06:23","date_gmt":"2017-12-05T13:06:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=72028"},"modified":"2017-12-05T05:07:25","modified_gmt":"2017-12-05T13:07:25","slug":"the-digital-nomadic-lifestyle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/05\/the-digital-nomadic-lifestyle\/","title":{"rendered":"The Digital Nomadic Lifestyle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some personal thoughts on being a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153digital nomad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n

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DOWNLOAD PDF: Digital nomad<\/a><\/p>\n

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Humans have evolved to be nomads<\/h2>\n
\"Prague
Prague urban landscape. 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First of all, this is my theory:<\/p>\n

\n Humans have evolved to be nomads, and hunter gatherers, because life is unpredictable.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For example, before we invented agriculture and city states, we had to keep roaming, wandering, to just stay alive.<\/p>\n

We needed to go explore, in order to have access to more food and resources.<\/p>\n

\"Train
Train station. Prague, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even as humans, being bipeds (walking on two legs)\u00e2\u20ac\u201d we evolved to walk on two legs because we can walk longer distances with less fatigued, when compared to four-legged animals. Four legged animals can run faster than us, but we can out-run four-legged animals (in terms of distances). I even read something like early humans killed animals by simply chasing them around for hours, until the animals would overheat, and die.<\/p>\n

\"Steak
Steak tartare. Prague, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I also think we evolved to become omnivores (eating both meat and plants) because our sources of food were so uncertain.<\/p>\n

Therefore, my idea is that the natural human DNA is engineered to be a nomad, to live without stability, and to live not in just one spot.<\/p>\n

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The blessing and curse of modernity<\/h2>\n
\"Building.
Building. Prague, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now the good thing and the bad thing is that we have modern society. We have stability and predictability. We no longer need to hunt or forage for our food. We no longer need to fear death and starvation.<\/p>\n

Another problem: we have evolved to become homo sedentarius- we are sedentary. We sit all day. We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t walk anymore, or long distances. Apparently our forefathers used to walk for at least 8 miles a day.<\/p>\n

\"Selfie
Selfie in mirror. Kyoto. 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I know when I walk a lot, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m in a better mood. I think better. I feel fewer thoughts of depression, and negative thoughts.<\/p>\n

But when I sit down all day, I have back problems. I feel lethargic.<\/p>\n

This is why nowadays, I like to work standing up. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m still afflicted with the modern curse of not moving \u00e2\u20ac\u201d but at least by standing up, I can actually put physical stress on my legs. I also find myself more productive when working while standing. Even now, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m standing at a kitchen counter, and typing these words on IA writer on an iPad.<\/p>\n

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Why I like being a digital nomad<\/h2>\n
\"THE
THE MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cindy and I currently live as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153digital nomads\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d our home base is in Orange County, California \u00e2\u20ac\u201d where Cindy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s family lives. But, for the most part, we are \u00e2\u20ac\u0153homeless\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d we live in Airbnb on the road, and stay with friends.<\/p>\n

Why? Cindy is in dissertation mode, and can write wherever. I make money teaching workshops, and teach international and global workshops<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Cindy
Cindy with red scarf. Prague, 2017 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Essentially, we have chosen the digital nomad lifestyle, because we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like too much comfort or stability. We thrive off of randomness, new encounters, new cultural experiences, and from being on the road with few physical possessions (we fit all our life possessions in a simple north face backpack, and a black duffel bag).<\/p>\n

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My tools<\/h2>\n
\"Table,
Some of my digital tools.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m currently doing 99% of my work on a 10.5 inch iPad Pro. I do all my writing on IA writer, process my pictures with the SD card reader and Adobe Lightroom CC, and make money via PayPal.<\/p>\n

\"Cindy
Cindy at work in bed. PRAGUE, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I like being a digital nomad, because I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have the opportunity to accumulate stuff. Rather living on the road, we accumulate experiences<\/strong>. And I think the secret of being \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happy\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is to just have interesting life experiences \u00e2\u20ac\u201d that encourage you to explore, wander, challenge your thinking, and to make stuff.<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a workaholic, and I probably drink half a pint of espresso a day. But my personal needs are very little \u00e2\u20ac\u201d all I need is coffee, WiFi, food, and water.<\/p>\n

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I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like owning stuff.<\/h2>\n
\"Tokyo,
Tokyo, 2017 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I also have realized,<\/p>\n

\n Having stuff is stressful.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Stuff means having to maintain it, organize it, and pay for maintenance.<\/p>\n

\"Eric<\/p>\n

We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t own a car, or home. We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t gotta stress about maintaining a car, or fixing a home.<\/p>\n

This means fewer distractions on stuff, and more focus on making stuff. Making art, making poetry, making films, making photos, and making connections with others.<\/p>\n

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Happiness to me<\/h2>\n
\"Drinking
Drinking Espresso. Madison, Wisconsin 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m only happy when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m in the flow or the zone of creation. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m happy when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m writing, wandering and taking pictures, when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m teaching, or when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m having deep conversations with loved ones. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel happy when I look at possessions.<\/p>\n

Therefore for me, the digital nomadic lifestyle is ideal:<\/p>\n

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  1. I cannot accumulate physical possessions <\/li>\n
  2. I am less distracted, and focus on creative work and creative production <\/li>\n
  3. I feel less attached to physical stuff, and more attached to life affirming experiences <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    You must discover what works for you<\/h2>\n
    \"The
    The traditional path to success.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m just saying that I like this digital nomadic lifestyle. It might not work for you.<\/p>\n

    Some of us like to stay at home, and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like the discomfort of travel. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get suckered into thinking that a digital nomadic lifestyle is for everyone.<\/p>\n

    \"Modern
    Modern photographer path to success as a photographer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    You must ask yourself,<\/p>\n

    \n What do I desire from life, and what is important to me, and what isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t<\/em> important to me?\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    What isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t important to me:<\/h3>\n