Home: The Death of a Nomad

Posted: 10/29/2013 | October 29th, 2013

When I decided to move to New York City, I had this vision of what would happen: I would settle down into my own amazing apartment, decorate it with lots of cool stuff, join a gym, take cooking classes, and — in between all that — take numerous trips to JFK airport and jet-set around the world. I’d come back, stay for a few weeks, and do it all over again.

I’d be able to balance my twin desires: settling down and my love of travel.

But I was naïve.

Since moving here in January, I never managed to spend more than a couple weeks in New York City before having to leave again. When I moved into my own apartment in July, I left the next day. I came back for a week before leaving again for two months.

I never got to settle down.

I never took those cooking classes.

I never joined that gym.

My apartment is still bare, with curtainless windows, books longing for a bookcase, and walls lacking art and paintings.

The famed — and much desired — end to my travels never really materialized, as I’ve spent much of the last year on the road.

“I thought you were slowing down,” people would say to me.

“I’m trying. I’m trying,” I’d reply.

No matter how hard I tried, slowing down never seemed to happen. There were, though, many false starts.

But last month while in Europe, I began to feel really homesick. I was tired of traveling and just wanted to be home in my comfy bed.

I realized I was tired of delaying my roots.

Roots, after all, can only take hold if they’re in the ground. I’ve been trying to develop habits and routines without giving my roots time to grow. I keep uprooting them and then trying to replant them in hopes they’ll grow.

But it doesn’t work that way.

You need to till the earth, plant the seed, and let the roots take hold.

You can’t uproot them.

It’s time I give my roots a chance.

I’m tired of saying “OK, I’ll do it next time.” So I’m not traveling until the end of December when I go to the Philippines. There’s a lot to do in NYC, and it’s finally time to do it.

I’ve purposely filled my schedule with things that will keep me in the city. This week I joined a gym, got a trainer, and paid for a desk at a co-working space. I’m having friends visit.

I’m here. I’m home.

It’s time to grow some roots.

Nothing will stop me now.

Related articles:

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.

Need Some Gear?
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

10 Things You Must Pack for Coachella, According to Festival Regulars

Congratulations, you’ve done it. You bit the bullet, bought the ticket, and are headed off to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in sunny southern California. This year’s headliners — including Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and Radiohead — are sure to entertain, but one teeny, tiny thing can throw off your entire music-going experience: poor planning.

A scorching sunburn, a cough that lasts for days, or tired, aching feet can (and will) ruin your festival experience. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead and pack accordingly so you’re ready for anything the festival gods may throw your way.

We went straight to the source — Reddit’s Coachella community — to ask the experienced festival-goers for their packing recommendations. Here are a few of their top must-haves.

How to Get Rid of Puffy Eyes After a Long Flight

It's been scientifically proven traveling is good for you brain. Your skin? Not so much.

Every savvy traveler knows hydration is key when trapped in canned air 30,000 feet above ground, so extra water and powerful moisturizers are a must. Still, most travelers forget about one important area: the eyes.

This delicate skin in your eye area requires even more love than the rest of your face. It is, after all, something of a window into your diet, sleep habits, and overall health.

While genetics may plague some people with darker circles or undereye bags naturally, no amount of makeup will hide the puffiness and dark circles that come as side effects to long flights, noisy hotel neighbors, and over-packed itineraries.

So what's a tired traveler to do? Enter your new favorite travel companion: depuffing and brightening eye treatments.

We did some digging (and testing!) to find amazing products that work wonders on your eye area. The build up of fluid and blood under the eye area causes the dark puffy look we are all so used to—and because the skin is so thin and delicate, it’s easily noticed.

With powerful ingredients like vitamin c, ginseng, hyaluronic acid and caffeine to get those fluids moving, these creams and masks will reduce puffiness and dark circles in no time–some you can even do mid-flight.

Can't get over that tired heavy-eyed feeling? Dab on a little Origin's GinZing Eye Cream for a refreshing boost that (almost) instantly leaves your eyes feeling wide awake. Looking to fight dark circles and puffy eyes during your flight? Cooling and energizing masks like Patchology's Flashpatch Eye Gels will not only give you something to do enroute to your destination, but give you the power to walk off the plane looking and feeling fresh. Check out more of our favorite fixes below.