Are you a digital nomad? If so, you know the struggle of chronic loneliness all too well. It can be tough to constantly be on the move, meeting new people only to say goodbye a few weeks later. While there are certainly benefits to this lifestyle, there are also some downsides that come with it. In this blog post, I will discuss the nomad complex and how to deal with it!
Nomad Complex
The nomad complex is a way of life that has been around for centuries. It’s a way of living that is based on moving from place to place, rather than settling in one area. For nomads, this way of life allows them to be closer to nature and to have a greater sense of freedom. It also allows them to meet new people and learn about new cultures. However, the nomad lifestyle is not without its challenges. Nomads must be able to adapt to new environments and make do with limited resources. They also have to deal with the constant fear of being dislocated or persecuted.
The nomadic lifestyle has a long and varied history, dating back to the earliest days of human civilization. The nomadic complex is thought to have emerged around 200,000 years ago, when early humans began to migrate out of Africa in search of new food sources. Since then, nomadic peoples have crisscrossed the globe, settling in every corner of the world. In more recent times, nomads have been displaced by the rise of agriculture and urbanization. However, there are still many nomadic peoples who continue to follow their ancestors’ footsteps, living a life on the move. The nomadic lifestyle is still very much alive and well today.
Digital Nomad, the modern-day nomad
The digital age has ushered in a new breed of nomad, one who is defined not by their physical location but by their digital skillset. These modern-day nomads are often freelance workers or digital entrepreneurs who are able to work remotely, thanks to the power of the internet.
In recent years, advances in technology and the rise of the gig economy have made it possible for more and more people to live a nomadic lifestyle. No longer confined to traditional jobs or locations, digital nomads can work from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection. For many, this freedom is liberating. It allows them to travel and see new places while still being able to earn a living.
Digital nomads often travel extensively, living out of suitcases and laptops, and they make use of coworking spaces and digital nomad hubs around the world. The digital nomad lifestyle has its perks, including flexibility, freedom, and the opportunity to see the world. However, it can also be quite isolating, and it can be difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Chronic Loneliness
In our fast-paced, interconnected world, it can be easy to feel isolated and alone. According to a recent study, chronic loneliness is on the rise, particularly among young adults. There are a number of possible explanations for this trend. With the advent of social media, we may be more aware of the lives of others and compare our own lives more unfavorably. In addition, we are less likely to have close relationships with our neighbors and colleagues. As a result, we may feel more disconnected from the people around us. chronic loneliness can have a significant impact on our mental and physical health. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
What can you do ?
When you’re constantly on the move, it can be difficult to form and maintain close relationships. Even if you’re staying in hostels or Couchsurfing, it’s easy to feel like you’re always just passing through. If you’re not careful, loneliness can start to creep in. The key is to make an effort to connect with people. Join group activities, strike up conversations with your roommates, and take advantage of social media to stay in touch with your friends and family back home. With a little effort, it’s possible to combat loneliness and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle to its fullest.
Join a club or take a class to meet new people who share your interests. Volunteer in your community. Spend time with family and friends. And reach out to someone you know who might be feeling lonely too.
Now that I work online and live in a new country, Colombia, I’ve had to start all over again making new friends. So I joined several Facebook groups and simply started asking questions, like is there a science fiction group, how about a book club, is anyone interested in laser tag. I created a science fiction group because I couldn’t find one and going to organize an outing to the Planetarium. I joined a book club, and looking forward to reading and discussing. But I still haven’t found a group of people willing to get shot at with paintballs yet.
Even though I’m an extrovert, it is tiring to make friends and sometimes I do feel nervous and yes even anxious about making new friends. It’s the opening up and letting others get to know me that worries me. Will I be liked, will be accepted, will I be understood, will it take long to make new friends?
But for me it’s not just about making friends as a digital nomad, I have friends from childhood, friends from various jobs and countries, and I know that I can make new friends in my new home, Colombia. My loneliness comes from not having a committed partner, a connection with someone, a consistent companion. A friend (or a FWB , friend with benefits) just isn’t enough for me, I need more than that. I need someone who will care about me and whom I will care about. After the disaster of my first and only marriage, I doubt would ever want to get married again, but I definitely don’t want to be alone.
I never thought that I would be approaching 45 and single. A few years ago, when I first started my journey of living abroad, I assumed that I would meet and be committed to a great guy. I had lived with a boyfriend in America, prior to moving abroad, and it was great, although we ultimately wanted different things, like I wanted to live abroad, it was a loving relationship. And I miss the love.
But now, after years of dating abroad and being disappointed time after time, I’m starting to lose hope of finding love abroad.
Chronic loneliness is something that I never thought I would have to deal with. It’s a constant ache that can never be filled, no matter how many friends or family members I surround myself with. It’s the feeling of being unattached, of not belonging to someone and them belonging to me. And it’s exhausting.
I often find myself wondering if there’s something wrong with me if perhaps I’m just not meant for love abroad. But then I see couples walking down the street hand in hand, and I remember that there’s still hope. I do believe that even abroad, there is someone for me.
Maybe someday that cool guy who is either a local of the current country I’m living in , or another expat like me, will come. He’ll be into making pillow forts and staying up late watching independent or foreign films, attending Comicon and binge-watching scifi tv shows repeatedly, he’ll try all of my creative baking goods, he’ll be passionate and curious about life like I am, and he’ll enjoy all the fun, funny, quirky things that I say and do. Or maybe not, I can only dream since I don’t have a time travel machine.
But either way, chronic loneliness is something that I’ll just have to learn to live with.
Enjoyed this blog article about the nomad complex and chronic loneliness? Subscribe to receive blog articles straight to your inbox!
