10 lessons I learned the hard way as a nomad

Hello hello,

Starting off this Friday with the 10 things I wish I had known before becoming location-independent:

#1. Ease into a new city. This is not just a vacation; it's your way of life. Therefore, there's no rush to see everything in the first week. Instead, take your time to immerse yourself in a new city and familiarize yourself with its surroundings. You'll feel more comfortable and self-assured when you eventually venture out to explore.

#2. You don’t always have to be nice. While it's important to be polite while traveling, your personal safety should never be compromised for the sake of kindness. If someone's words or actions make you uncomfortable, quickly remove yourself from that situation without feeling obligated to explain or apologize to them.

#3. Just get the travel insurance. It’s not that expensive and it’s worth the peace of mind. You can never predict your luggage getting lost or getting bit by a monkey in Thailand (true story). Having the added protection of travel insurance eliminates that worry.

#4. Find out how you like to experience a city and then actively seek out those experiences. Know what you like and dislike and don’t feel bad for skipping out on activities that don't appeal to you. I hate museums. But I love walking tours. Instead of keeping my eyes from glazing over at a museum, I now just opt to go for a walking tour instead and I’m always happier for it.

#5. Talk to as many locals as you can. An obvious one. But really, actually do it. Learn the basics like how to say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’. Challenge yourself by taking different routes back home from the coworking center, and try visiting new coffee shops you haven't been to before. Engaging with people in these spontaneous interactions can lead to wonderful experiences and connections.

I’ll share the rest with you next week.

Hey, this is Kelsey, founder of SiteSee. I’ll send an email like this every Friday where I’ll share my musings from my travels, the latest research undertaken by our travel writers, as well as recommendations for travel products, interesting podcasts, good reads, and more.

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Onwards,

Kelsey