It is nice to read your reflections on your experience traveling for 1.5 years, and also your impressions from Village life. I loved having you, Angie, and your daughter along! I'm glad we stopped by your birthday party to see you DJ and people play basketball. That was a special night.
Thanks, Paul, for sharing this all with us. Really helping to hear other Dad's perspective. I agree with almost all of it, except that so much traveling is not for me at this moment, maybe later again. But a minimum of 1 month is a great rule too, also one I like to apply.
Careful. The accuracy and humility of your reflections on parenting are precisely what could qualify you to guide others into the same enlightened ignorance that is required to parent well.
This was such a grounded look at nomadic life. Not the glossy version, but the version with toddlers, rent, writing routines, and the occasional collapse of a system that used to work.
I especially liked the idea that being “settled” can mean “settled for now.” That feels honest, and oddly freeing.
Do you think the travelling village helped with “justifying” or social validation of being nomadic parents? Or is that not really something that concerns you or Angie?
Yeah I mean I don’t really have that hole I need to fill. But having built in friends you don’t need to explain to is amazing. People are really insecure about parenting and I find it’s hard to share without triggering people so I’m usually very guarded and never preach about my way of life in person.
Sounds like you've had an adventurous year and a half - the key I took away is there is balance to be had if you make it a priority... and 0% work sounds fun until you try it for more than a few weeks then it becomes its own version of horror.
This brings me back, Paul. We traveled around the world with our daughters—then 6 and 4—for a year back in 2011. I closed a thriving business to do it and had the best time of my life putting family first. Sure, there were challenges, but I’d trade that time for nothing. Our path overlapped with yours in many places.
Flash forward to today. My 20-year-old literally flew out of Hanoi tonight to head back to Seattle for an internship and her senior year at UW. Our 18-year-old is staying with us for the summer before heading to the University of Wisconsin. We’re meandering around Asia, headed for Sri Lanka and who knows what else.
Travel — the good, the bad, and the ugly — forged our little group. I’m free from the corporate world again, writing, happy, and stealing time with the people most important to me.
It has its challenges, no doubt. But there is nothing else. Nothing more. Just sharing time, space, and experience with the ones you love.
Thanks for the memories, and the reminders. Keep going, mate.
Thanks for this Paul! I loved this line: "My curiosity drives a lot of this: What happens if I put family before work?"
Haha thanks man
A really honest look at what it actually feels like to live nomadically with a young family and how it changes over time
It is nice to read your reflections on your experience traveling for 1.5 years, and also your impressions from Village life. I loved having you, Angie, and your daughter along! I'm glad we stopped by your birthday party to see you DJ and people play basketball. That was a special night.
It’s good to see you back in inbox again. We need these reminders of what’s possible when we lean into curiosity.
Thanks, Paul, for sharing this all with us. Really helping to hear other Dad's perspective. I agree with almost all of it, except that so much traveling is not for me at this moment, maybe later again. But a minimum of 1 month is a great rule too, also one I like to apply.
When I lived in Tokyo, I traveled throughout Asia. One of my favorite places was Sapa in Vietnam. This was back in 2012 so not sure how it’s changed.
For a man who writes he has no idea what he’s doing, it sounds like you are an amazing parent!
I have travelled since I was 14–but never had children—
so I am in awe of you and Angie!
Appreciate that Lynda!
I appreciate your reportage on
The World and your willingness to EXPLORE!!✍️🌠🙏🌍🌎🌏
Careful. The accuracy and humility of your reflections on parenting are precisely what could qualify you to guide others into the same enlightened ignorance that is required to parent well.
Oh no 😂
As true as always
Good luck man
This was such a grounded look at nomadic life. Not the glossy version, but the version with toddlers, rent, writing routines, and the occasional collapse of a system that used to work.
I especially liked the idea that being “settled” can mean “settled for now.” That feels honest, and oddly freeing.
Sounds like a blast! Nothing compares to exploring a new place for the first time.
The bike pic is so good!
Do you think the travelling village helped with “justifying” or social validation of being nomadic parents? Or is that not really something that concerns you or Angie?
Yeah I mean I don’t really have that hole I need to fill. But having built in friends you don’t need to explain to is amazing. People are really insecure about parenting and I find it’s hard to share without triggering people so I’m usually very guarded and never preach about my way of life in person.
Sounds like you've had an adventurous year and a half - the key I took away is there is balance to be had if you make it a priority... and 0% work sounds fun until you try it for more than a few weeks then it becomes its own version of horror.
0% work was fine for me when i wasnt replacing it all with childcare haha
I think I would eventually go stir crazy looking for something to do… I guess you don’t need to work for something to do.
Bike rides, wandering, reading. Plenty to do
This brings me back, Paul. We traveled around the world with our daughters—then 6 and 4—for a year back in 2011. I closed a thriving business to do it and had the best time of my life putting family first. Sure, there were challenges, but I’d trade that time for nothing. Our path overlapped with yours in many places.
Flash forward to today. My 20-year-old literally flew out of Hanoi tonight to head back to Seattle for an internship and her senior year at UW. Our 18-year-old is staying with us for the summer before heading to the University of Wisconsin. We’re meandering around Asia, headed for Sri Lanka and who knows what else.
Travel — the good, the bad, and the ugly — forged our little group. I’m free from the corporate world again, writing, happy, and stealing time with the people most important to me.
It has its challenges, no doubt. But there is nothing else. Nothing more. Just sharing time, space, and experience with the ones you love.
Thanks for the memories, and the reminders. Keep going, mate.
That’s so cool Matthew. We definitely hope to do it again. It feels like 4 and 6 would be nice ages.
Incredible reflections! How can we find out more about this traveling village? I’m doigg by the traveling as a single parent but have no village.