Thank you for reaffirming my decision that, while it's nice to read interesting posts and travel vicariously through others, I don't really need to travel to be happy. My path to happiness or to doing what I want to do with my life doesn't require global travel, as cool as it is to read about other people doing it.

I've been to Europe (and am fluent in French and Spanish, partially as a result of aforementioned travel), but travel doesn't make me feel happier or more open to growth. It stresses me out and Europeans hate me. [ok, not really, Europeans (and the majority of the rest of the world) love less-than-5-foot Asian girls because we're so cute, but they think those Asians should weigh less than 45 kg. and I don't, so they decide to deprive me of food until I get to the right size (and by food I mean anything other than lettuce and tomatoes and half of half of a teaspoon of red wine vinaigrette - true story)]

And to wrap up my verbose post on your comment, I was again told to major in business, move up the corporate ladder, and die gasping while checking spreadsheets with my accounting degree less than 4 hours ago and I can safely say that your comment has put a bit more weight on the side of my internal conflict that says: “That probably is not what you want.”

I have some friends that are implementing a version of Lifestyle Design so that they create enough time to start a new business. Another that is doing so to go back to school. I think that the most important part is that by changing your life, you can focus on what is important. Lifestyle Design may allow for vagabonding, but it doesn't require it.

However, on a personal note, what I want to do more than anything else is to travel and learn. While I agree that the logistical part of travel sucks (I've logged over 100,000 miles this year for work), the concept of being able to learn everything that NH doesn't have to offer is the ultimate afrodesiac. Every time I travel internationally, I am filled with an amount of energy that is incredible. It is that draw, that want, that is causing me to get into Lifestyle Design in the first place.

Thanks for a well written and though provoking post.

I have some friends that are implementing a version of Lifestyle Design so that they create enough time to start a new business. Another that is doing so to go back to school. I think that the most important part is that by changing your life, you can focus on what is important. Lifestyle Design may allow for vagabonding, but it doesn't require it.

However, on a personal note, what I want to do more than anything else is to travel and learn. While I agree that the logistical part of travel sucks (I've logged over 100,000 miles this year for work), the concept of being able to learn everything that NH doesn't have to offer is the ultimate afrodesiac. Every time I travel internationally, I am filled with an amount of energy that is incredible. It is that draw, that want, that is causing me to get into Lifestyle Design in the first place.

Thanks for a well written and though provoking post.

As far as sending this post, one of the Nate's (@remainfearless) who commented above wrote a follow-up post about following your own idea of lifestyle design that's worth checking out.

Oh that song cracks me up every time.

To think of all the people who might be interested in lifestyle design and are turned off by the apparent 'travel requirement'. The message almost seems to be – “If you are not interested in travel, you are not worthy of joining the 'community'.” And as soon as we put a particular lifestyle up on a pedestal, it loses its initial meaning and ability to inspire.

We're all looking forward to your take on your impending adventure.

Wait.. Tell me more about my yacht in Antibes… I knew I forgot it somewhere.

I love how you're turning our list-post conversation inside out and raising it at least one level with the new art of list-comments. Rather than answering them point by point, we should just do some more experimentation with #2. I think the first round is on me after your compliment in #5.

You're exactly on point with the rest of what you wrote. This post isn't really about travel. I mean… I'm still working on the groundwork for a major sailing expedition, so it would be silly to claim that travel really does suck.

“That's no better than saying 'go to school, major in business, get a job and steadily move up the corporate ladder'.“

Exactly! The irony of rejecting prescribed paths only to adopt another prescribed path is pretty thick.

I've gone through a similar thing with my parents and a number of friends. While this post was all about one side of the travel coin, some people should be encouraged to travel and would ultimately appreciate it. When coming from a mindset that it's a daunting feat to pull off, a push in the positive direction is all some people need. Unfortunately, it's really tough to figure out if people's objections are a sincere disinterest in travel, or rooted in the stifling feeling of impossibility.

“…you realize that it's not where you are that ultimately decides if you are happy or not. It's what you're doing. And there's something to be said for making something good out of a place you're not sure is right for you.“

Your words totally reminded me of that story. Strange, but I didn't remember it while I was writing the original post.

Ultimately, travel is pretty rad and I do think most people should at least give it a shot. It just bums me out a little that people might be turned away from all of the other cool things this community has to offer because of the travel emphasis.