What I don't like about nomading

I have stayed in 31 different cities across 11 countries over the past 5 years. I travel light and try to stay places for at least 1 month or longer.

At least once per year I try to ask myself if living nomadically is something I still want to be doing. Like any other major life decision I make, I want the decision to travel to be an intentional one.

How I feel about being a nomad has changed.

The stories and experiences I've collected while getting lost in these once foreign countries have numbed my ability to feel culture shock.

The dopamine buffet I'd feast on while eating up new cultural experiences in a new city has progressively faded into the occasional "oh, that's different" observation.

Crossing a busy street without a crosswalk, eating street food, and butchering the local language used to give me a rush. Now it's a typical Thursday.

I know there's still an unlimited supply of novelty patiently waiting for me beyond the borders of my comfort zone; I just don't accidentally bump into it during day-to-day life as often as I used to.

In this way, the reason why I travel has changed.

I used to travel because I wanted to experience more of the world. I still like how romantic that sentence reads, but I'd be lying if I said the constant pursuit of vacation-worthy experiences hasn't let me craving more routine comforts.

I want to own my bed sheets and have a favorite coffee mug. I want to have access to blender for protein shakes, a bulky electric toothbrush, and an air fryer for when I pretend I'm going to order delivery food less often.

At this stage in my life, I'm seeking locations that accommodate my vision of a perfect day.

Practically speaking this means spending most of the year within the same 1-2 shortlisted locations. Establishing home bases for living most of the year, leaving room for spontaneous vacations to chase novelty when I feel like exploring again.

This may be the final stage of nomadism. The gradual transition from weekly trips, to monthly trips, to having established home bases is a familiar pattern.