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After finishing secondary school, I found myself scrubbing floors, washing dishes, and picking beans for a salary so small it disappeared before I could even use it. That was the moment I asked myself: Is this really how life is supposed to be? And that was reason why I choose a Nomad Lifestyle
Growing up, I always felt a quiet restlessness inside me—a sense that life had to be bigger than just following society’s rules, even when those rules felt limiting. At home, things were hard. My father carried the weight of providing for everyone, and I often wondered: What would happen to us if something happened to him?
When a family friend offered me a job, I accepted, not knowing what it would involve. Some days I was in the kitchen, other days cleaning floors, sometimes sitting in the bursar’s office. The pay was so little it couldn’t really help—but losing it wouldn’t have mattered either. That’s when I began to realize: I didn’t want to spend my life stuck in a job I didn’t love.
I wasn’t born into wealth, but I wasn’t helpless either. I knew I could choose differently—to follow my dreams, to create income without depending entirely on someone else, and to live with freedom. That choice eventually led me to the nomad lifestyle—and it might inspire you, too.
The Turning Point: Realizing I Wanted More
Life after school was hard. I took a job that a family friend gave me, but I didn’t really know what I was doing. Some days I washed dishes, some days I swept floors, and other days I just sat in the office, unsure of my purpose. The pay was so small it barely mattered, but losing it would have left me feeling stuck.
It was during those days that I started noticing something important. I realized how much our lives depended on my father, and how fragile that was. If anything happened to him, our whole family would struggle. That thought was scary, but it also opened my eyes: I didn’t want to depend entirely on someone else to survive.
For the first time, I started asking myself questions I hadn’t asked before: What kind of life do I really want? Could I build a life that gives me freedom and choice? That fear of being trapped slowly turned into determination. I wanted to find a way to work on my own terms, earn my own income, and create a life that wasn’t dictated by circumstances. That moment — realizing I wanted more than just survival — became the turning point that started my journey toward a different path.
Why the Traditional Path Felt Limiting
For most of my life, I thought following the usual path was the only way: go to school, get a job, work hard, and hope for security. But after my first real work experience, I started noticing the cracks in that plan.
I realized that most jobs didn’t give freedom. You were tied to someone else’s schedule, doing tasks you might not enjoy, and earning money that barely covered the basics. Even if you worked hard, your life was still mostly controlled by someone else—your boss, your company, or circumstances outside your control.
That’s when I started asking myself deeper questions: Is this all life has to offer? Must I accept a life that feels safe but leaves me unfulfilled? I wanted more than just survival. I wanted a life where I could make choices, grow my skills, and feel proud of what I was building for myself.
The traditional path suddenly felt like a trap. It wasn’t just about money—it was about independence, creativity, and freedom. That realization pushed me to explore other possibilities, to think beyond what I had been taught, and to imagine a life I could shape on my own terms.
Discovering the Nomad Lifestyle
After realizing that the traditional path felt limiting, I started looking for other ways to live and work. I wanted freedom, flexibility, and a life where I could make my own choices. That’s when I learned about the nomad lifestyle—working remotely, traveling, and earning money without being tied to one location.
At first, it sounded almost too good to be true. Could someone really live this way? Could I really do it, coming from a small town with no wealth or connections? But the more I read and watched others’ stories, the more I realized it was possible. I didn’t need to be rich or lucky; I needed skills, creativity, and determination.
I started small. I explored online opportunities, learned new skills, and tried ways to earn money independently. Each small step gave me confidence. Slowly, the idea of working from anywhere and building a life on my own terms stopped being just a dream—it started to feel real.
Discovering the nomad lifestyle was not just about travel or escaping routine. It was about creating freedom, building resilience, and trusting myself to make choices that aligned with my goals and values. It was the first time I felt like I could truly take control of my life.
Why I Chose It Anyway (Despite the Fear)
Even after learning about the nomad lifestyle, I felt scared. I didn’t come from a wealthy family, and I had no guarantee that this path would work. There were moments when I wondered: What if I fail? What if I can’t earn enough? What if I’m making a mistake?
But then I remembered the feeling of being stuck in low-paying jobs, the fear of depending entirely on someone else, and the dream of a life with freedom. I realized that staying in the old way felt riskier than stepping into the unknown. At least with the nomad path, I had a chance to grow, learn, and create my own opportunities.
I chose to take small steps, even when fear tried to hold me back. I focused on learning new skills, building income streams, and trusting that each effort would move me closer to the life I wanted. Choosing this lifestyle wasn’t about running away from responsibility—it was about taking responsibility for my own future, my own happiness, and my own freedom.
Fear didn’t disappear, but it became a guide rather than a barrier. Every time I pushed past it, I felt more capable, more confident, and more certain that this choice was right for me. And that’s why I decided to follow the nomad lifestyle, even without all the answers.
What the Nomad Lifestyle Means for Me Now
Since choosing the nomad lifestyle, my life has changed in ways I never imagined. I have the freedom to work from anywhere, the flexibility to manage my own time, and the ability to focus on projects that actually excite me. I no longer feel trapped by routines or tied to a single job or location.
But it’s not just about travel or flexibility. It’s about peace of mind, independence, and growth. I’ve learned to trust myself, take responsibility for my income, and make decisions that align with my goals. I’ve also learned that challenges are part of the journey, and overcoming them makes the victories feel even sweeter.
Spiritually and emotionally, this lifestyle has given me space to reflect, connect with what matters, and live intentionally. I’m not just surviving; I’m building a life that I enjoy, a life that gives me purpose, and a life that allows me to explore my potential.
The nomad lifestyle isn’t perfect—there are ups and downs—but for me, it’s freedom. It’s the kind of life that lets me choose, grow, and live on my own terms.
Why You Might Choose It Too
The nomad lifestyle isn’t just for people with fancy degrees, connections, or money. It’s for anyone who feels stuck, who dreams of freedom, or who wants to take control of their life. If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s more to life than a job you don’t love, this path might be for you.
You don’t have to have everything figured out to start. It begins with small steps: learning a skill, finding ways to earn online, or exploring opportunities that let you work on your own terms. Each step builds confidence, independence, and clarity about what you truly want.
Choosing this lifestyle isn’t running away from responsibilities—it’s taking responsibility for your future. It’s about building a life that fits your goals, values, and dreams. And the best part? The journey itself teaches resilience, creativity, and self-belief—lessons that last a lifetime.
If you’ve ever felt stuck or limited, know this: a different path is possible. You can create freedom, follow your passions, and build a life that gives you both security and joy.
Conclusion: Take the First Step
Choosing a different path isn’t easy, and fear will always be part of the journey. But staying stuck in a life you don’t love is riskier than stepping into the unknown. The nomad lifestyle taught me that freedom, growth, and purpose are possible—even without wealth or connections—if you are willing to take small, consistent steps.
Your life doesn’t have to follow the path that’s been laid out for you. You can choose differently. You can build income on your own terms, explore the world, and create a life that feels meaningful and exciting.
If this story resonates with you, take a moment to ask yourself: What would my life look like if I started today? Even small actions—learning a skill, exploring remote work opportunities, or simply believing that another life is possible—can start you on the journey.
Start today. Take the first step toward freedom, and don’t wait for permission to live the life you deserve.
If you want to start here click here
I’m Branche De Jesus UMUTONI, founder of Remote Africa Life — a digital space where faith, resilience, and remote work meet. After turning challenges into opportunities, I now help others find courage to follow their calling and create a life they love. Join me on this journey of purpose and possibility.
