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Saved by Grace's avatar

Although we sold our house, we had a narrow boat built to live on, but it's only 60 ft x 6ft 10in so a LOT smaller than a house. Everything we own is on board, no car, no 'stuff' in storage and we can travel as little or as much as we like...only at 2-3mph though! We're 67 and 72 and never envisaged we'd do this, but so pleased we did 😀

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The Midlife Nomad's avatar

This is so amazing!!

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Shlee's avatar

I’m living proof that a life of only saying YES and never learning to say NO will most definitely make you sick. I always said yes, suppressed emotions and was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition by 19

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The Midlife Nomad's avatar

Thank you for sharing this perspective. I diagnose and treat mental health conditions as a PA and therapist and I always, always talk about the mind, and body connection and how one influences the other. I am sorry for your diagnosis. NO is a powerful word in our health journey. Keep saying it!

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Shlee's avatar

It’s quickly becoming my favorite word! 😆

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Jody Pittner's avatar

We have a lot in common and similar perspectives on play, creativity, adventure, and wonder!

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The Midlife Nomad's avatar

Hi! Great to connect Jody! Love hearing this! It seems to be more important to me than ever before! Play feeds the soul 🤍

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Sophia's avatar

“Imagine waking up and asking yourself…where shall we play today?”

While not a big “birthday” person, they have always been the most delightful day of the year. Which, as someone who never makes big celebratory plans, was confusing. Reading this post however, I had the realization that I experience this sense of wonder because I wake up and let my curiosity and delight guide the day!

This is such a powerful mindset shift and opens doors for a very magical and delight filled existence.

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The Midlife Nomad's avatar

Letting our curiosity and delight run the show is absolutely the biggest mindset shifts I’ve ever made! Thank you for your insightful comment! 🤍

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Sophia's avatar

And thank you for such a thoughtful piece!

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Kalpesh's avatar

Thank you! Such a thought provoking ideas!

Thank you again!

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The Midlife Nomad's avatar

You are so welcome! Thank you for your comment!

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Pablo Naboso's avatar

I’m also a midlife nomad. Often the oldest in the youth hostel. Lately I witnessed this conversation among younger digital nomads, one from Spain and the other was German: “if you are old and still traveling, you must be sad”. I laughed a lot, realizing the man expressed his own inner fears rather than the reality.

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The Midlife Nomad's avatar

Ha! That is because this is spoken from the mouths of the youth who have not yet experienced more of life... experience is a great teacher of your values.

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Debbie Hudzik's avatar

Where might your feet take you if you simply said yes?...so good Jody. Let's all play more! My pack of neighborhood kids playtime was walks in the woods, building forts, so fun revisiting those memories.

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The Midlife Nomad's avatar

Yes! Let’s play more!

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Sophie Staughton's avatar

Thanks Jada for the reminder to play and bathe in joy 🤩

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The Midlife Nomad's avatar

Absolutely and I Love the image of “bathing in joy”!

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Jacquie Dawkins's avatar

I’m curious…do you still work, earn money, have health benefits?

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The Midlife Nomad's avatar

I do work. I own my own business and as a digital nomad, I use the private healthcare system. I use travelers insurance for when I am back in the U.S. Healthcare is excellent, accessible and affordable abroad.

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Jacquie Dawkins's avatar

That’s great. I also want to know if you have children of any age?

I just found your content, and I’m definitely interested in the concept of living to your values. However, I have 3 adult children, all of whom still rely on mom and dad a lot, even if just for advice. My youngest is the neediest because of a chronic health condition. She’s 23 and in university, and she needs our support of health benefits while she is still covered as a student until 25. One of her medications costs $2400 for a month’s worth of cluster headache treatment.

So, we couldn’t fathom making such a drastic change to our lifestyle…at least not until she’s done her degree and has her feet firmly on the ground with a job and her own benefits.

I feel trapped!

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The Midlife Nomad's avatar

We have 6 children. All adults now and living independently. I know our situation is different than others perhaps. It was a process for sure and the timing has to be right. The process can take some time. All our “kids” had to be in a space where they were stable for us to embark on this journey. I will say, they have all grown and become more independent since we have been gone. They realized their wings work too 😊

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