Carl, I stumbled across your name, story and now your substack by way of the community of former USAID people I belong to, all of whom have been dispossessed of our careers. It dawned on me that a lifetime of overseas work had already made me a "structured nomad" - not quite a van-lifer, but someone who is certainly familiar with changing stations on a regular basis. I'm not -yet- in a position to take the steps you have, but I celebrate the way you have taken on what, I think, you coined as "radical reinvention". I look forward to following along with your future posts.
Hey James, I agree, a USAID career is certainly a nomadic one. A major difference is that we lived overseas in a conventional sedentary fashion. At home away from home. Becomng a nomad is still a major life change. Stay well
Very excited for this blog series "Vanpa" -- and I haven't forgotten about our video we filmed together last summer in Marfa TX, just waiting for the right time to share it.
Also this lil article from Derek Sivers might be helpful for you with your future posts here, a nice reminder to simplify. It's helped me with my writings [https://sive.rs/1idea]
Carl, I stumbled across your name, story and now your substack by way of the community of former USAID people I belong to, all of whom have been dispossessed of our careers. It dawned on me that a lifetime of overseas work had already made me a "structured nomad" - not quite a van-lifer, but someone who is certainly familiar with changing stations on a regular basis. I'm not -yet- in a position to take the steps you have, but I celebrate the way you have taken on what, I think, you coined as "radical reinvention". I look forward to following along with your future posts.
Hey James, I agree, a USAID career is certainly a nomadic one. A major difference is that we lived overseas in a conventional sedentary fashion. At home away from home. Becomng a nomad is still a major life change. Stay well
Carl - Congratulations on the new website. Great idea and I am looking forward to reading your stuff!
Hi Carl. Jens here. From our days in Zambia. Thanks so much for your thoughtful and encouraging wisdom.
Very excited for this blog series "Vanpa" -- and I haven't forgotten about our video we filmed together last summer in Marfa TX, just waiting for the right time to share it.
Also this lil article from Derek Sivers might be helpful for you with your future posts here, a nice reminder to simplify. It's helped me with my writings [https://sive.rs/1idea]