"The Blog that will never be posted” ~ or ~ “How to be a Location Independent Digital Nomad"

This is part 1 of 3. For part 2 please click here and for part 3 please click here.

My adventures to be a Location Independent Digital Nomad

When I sat down to think of my next blog idea, I wanted to write another blog to help people in their travels as per usual. I didn't think to write about myself. But perhaps, the metamorphosis we are currently undergoing may be a valuable message to pass on.  In fact, this was written over a month ago in a word document entitled, “The blog that will never be posted”. But after sitting on it for a while, I am OK sharing this, as my hope is that it can motivate others. Also, many friends and followers on Twitter, Facebook, et al. keep asking "What the hell am I doing leaving an plush home on the ocean in picturesque Morro Bay, California".

The beautiful people and culture of Bali help make the transition easier

Well, let me attempt to explain. So I have this professor gig that I have been doing for the last 17 years or so.  I am passionate about teaching, passionate about the opportunity to help others on their career paths, share my love of art, and all a committed teacher should be.  About 6 years ago, I moved out of the studio classroom and moved all of my teaching online.  I loved the freedom this provided and I was able to travel the world and still keep my professor gig.

Pretty sweet, right? Well sure, but it’s a different game online. It’s not the passion pursuit it was in the classroom, the late nights with the students passionately making art and feeling the collective buzz of creation and hard work. Online is a different animal. I won’t go so far to say its glorified data entry, as there is still some teaching going on. But, by never actually meeting the students, seeing their faces when they achieve that AHA moment, or not knowing much about them at all aside from some student ID numbers, its challenging to have that connection. 

That being said, I thought it was a good trade off as I am able to follow other passions and “passion following” has been my motto since I first learned it was a concept back in high school by reading the great Joseph Campbell.  It was a good trade off. So I am not as passionate about the craft of teaching, but I can travel, do my other business; live in an incredible place away from the BS of LA.  It was great…. For a while…

Even though I was in beautiful Morro Bay, California with access to wilderness, kayaking, surfing, hiking with our dog in the mountains, etc. I still found myself not pursuing my dreams as much as I could be.  Fine tequila, too much TV, working for the man… It became a bit too routine. Routine is fine actually but it was trending toward dispassionate.  My school and I, well lets say we don't agree with each others practices as much as we could, so time was ripe for a change.

How to be a Location Independent Digital Nomad

I have been devouring every crumb of knowledge I could stuff in my slightly greying head about how to create a website and blog that generated an income.  I have started implementing some of what I was able to glean from smarter folks than I (see here for a list of helpful sites by inspiring and bright entrepreneurs) and lo and behold, the money is starting to trickle in.  It’s still the nascent stages and I am not expecting too much at this stage but its progress and it’s exciting to see.

So where am I going with this? Well having my fill of the presidential race (I refuse to spend my brain time on the topic, politicians are all the same), listening to people carry on about The Academy Awards (Hollywood sucking its own #%*!), or any number of mind numbing chatter that is supposed to be relevant, its time for a change.  

Please click here for Part 2- Much more info...

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Where to Gods live- Bali's massive Gunung Batur Volcano

Comments

[Suzy]

I think we all reach these points in life, whether we recognize them or not. Sounds like a change is brewing/has brewed in you. I am semi-location independent. None of my jobs come with a location I have to be at, but I do like having a home base in Colorado.

[Michael Doliveck]

Thanks so much Suzy for all your support. Yes, a home base is a special place to come back to and regroup/rechange/etc. We kind of have that in Cali and in Bali but we don't have much tying us down to anyone place. Sounds like you have it figured out really well and keep up the good work!
Thank you,
Michael