Part 6: TRAVEL Disengaged…COVID-19 & the end to my first year as a digital nomad

This Article Is One In A Series Of Articles About Life Lessons Learned During My First Full Year Of Slow Travel As A Full-Time Digital Nomad

If you want to read from the beginning or need to catch up, follow the links below! Thanks for following along! I hope you get some tips, inspiration, and life lessons, especially if you’re looking to go nomad or just continue to track towards more travel in your life. Please share the articles with a friend and join the conversation over at Instagram or subscribe on Youtube. Cheers!

Articles- Life Lessons Learned During My First Year As A Digital Nomad:

Part 1: The Backstory & Getting Up To Speed
Part 2: 2 Months On The Great U.S. National Parks Road Trip
Part 3: Lessons Learned While Saying Goodbye To My Grandpa
Part 4: 2 Months Solo Backpacking Travel Across Europe
Part 5: Lessons Learned During 2 Months Living as a Digital Nomad in Queretaro, Mexico
Part 6: Life Lessons From 2 Months In The U.S. at the Start of the Covid-19 Pandemic (Coming soon- subscribe!)

2 Months Back In The U.s. During The Beginning Of The Covid-19 Pandemic — Digital Nomad…Disengaged.

Let me just disclaimer this by saying that I literally can’t begin to understand the hardships that Covid-19 is causing so many people. I just wish it wasn’t happening. The whole reason I want to travel more is to open my mind and heart to more people around the world.

The fact that I have the luxury to come back to my relatively “safe” space back in the states is bittersweet. It’s not fair, and I truly have no idea how to grasp it.

But with those understatements said, it has caused me to take these two months to find some important thoughts.

Lessons Learned—The End Of My First Year As A Digital Nomad

I, And Many Around Me, Seem To Somewhat Take For Granted How Lucky Or Privileged We Are To Have State And Federal Governments Doing Important Things On Our Behalf

No, they’re not perfect, nothing is perfect, but it shouldn’t be taken for granted. As a U.S. citizen but also a world citizen, I can armchair quarterback the reaction to Covid-19 or the responses all day long.

But to be honest, I’m just scared for my friends in Mexico and other countries as I watch the different ways that the world is dealing with this pandemic.

I hope our government does better as we progress (understatement of the year), but regardless, with all it’s imperfections, we have it better than many, many developing and developed parts of the world.

I’m A Hugger And I Miss Hugs. Physical Touch Is Definitely My Love Language! (Sorry…Not Sorry.)

While traveling in Mexico, I can count on one hand how many hugs I got. Actually, a couple of the best were unexpected, from my new friends and my Airbnb hosts while I was in Queretaro. I was actually posting on social media how much I was looking forward to coming home and making up for that with family and friends.

I literally came home 4 days early because of the pandemic (remember…go with your gut…) and had to self-quarantine because of it.

Needless to say, the next few months would be even more devoid of hugs…or any physical touch really. While this might seem like silly whining, it’s just another thing that reinforces my first point. 

We are very privileged and we shouldn’t take things for granted. At the same time, it makes me realize even more my distaste for our corporal punishment system and how they isolate people that might better rehabilitate with a lack of isolation. But that’s a thought for another time.

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Book Resources — The Beginner Traveler’s Guide to Going Nomad

1. We Need To Take As Much Control Of Our Days And Years As We Possibly Can.

Pandemic or not, choose the scary and uncomfortable paths that bring us the possibility of adding true depth to our lives.

We need to face things like the irrational fear of travel head on and open up potential experiences as much as we possibly can. Try our damnedest not to allow ourselves to fall into a status quo.

Challenge ourselves to grow and push outside of our comfort zone on a regular basis. Realize that the alternative is likely becoming complacent and allowing months and years to pass without much true personal growth.

Cheers Friend!
— Jason

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