I’m one year in and I can’t seem to completely untangle myself from obligations to family and friends. I’m constantly having to plan my DN locations and timing around upcoming weddings, birthdays, holidays etc which all take place in my home country (U.S.). Furthermore I haven’t done a great job of managing friends’ expectations that I can just be anywhere, anytime.

I think most people on this sub will agree that the best way to do this lifestyle without burning out is to stay in each location for at least a month, if not several. But I’ve had to compromise on that on multiple occasions when traveling abroad (for example, two weeks out and then back), not to mention the sheer amount of time I’ve had to spend bouncing around cities in the U.S. I love my country, but I didn’t work my ass off switching careers to get a remote job, just to travel to a bunch of American cities I’ve already been to. It’s also expensive to do that.

So I guess my point is, depending on how connected you are to your people back home, wherever that is, you may have to make some tough decisions about how you spend your time. My closest friend that I’ve known since childhood recently became a dad. Do I want to visit them more often and be a part of his child’s life? Yes. Do I also have a never-ending list of countries that I want to visit? Yes.

I’ve been doing about 70% in my country (U.S.), 30% abroad. That’s largely because I have friends and family that keep inviting me to things that I feel obligated to attend (weddings, holidays, etc) and it’s more convenient for me to just stay in the country.

I care about these people and it’s been great spending time with them, but next year I’m blocking off at least 6 months to travel abroad and will just say no to whatever plans they throw at me.