Ten Years A Nomad by Matt Kepnes

Ten Years a Nomad by Nomadic Matt recounts a decade of full-time travel, sharing the challenges, discoveries, and personal growth that come with living as a nomad. He reflects on adapting to new cultures, building relationships on the road, and finding freedom outside conventional routines. The book combines travel tips with insights on what it means to live intentionally and independently.

Taking the Leap

“He who is outside his door has the hardest part of his journey behind him”

Change is slow, intentional, and uncomfortable
Americans often have a view of the world shaped by media and fear
Travel shatters routine and forces personal growth
Travel allows for reinvention; no one knows who you are
Travel allows you to discard excuses and embrace your ideal self
America teaches work = worth; elsewhere, people live for living
Travel changes not just your view of the world, but of home
Office life was bearable until Matt knew there was something more
Matt started out fearful but quickly gained confidence – hiking volcanoes, hitchhiking – realizing he could be whoever he wanted
A trip to Thailand reinforced that discomfort is a sign of pushing limits
His experiences taught Matt that boredom and unhappiness weren’t permanent – they were cues to go

Pressures of Home

Approval from loved ones is powerful – and its absence, painful
Boss understood, parents freaked out, friends were indifferent
People can’t process what doesn’t fit into their mental “scripts”
Comfort zones are cozy but can trap you in “just happy enough”
Real strength is pushing past societal norms to find your path

Planning

Plans will fall apart – but planning is still essential
Planning clarifies your priorities and builds excitement
Financial discipline is key to long-term travel success
The goal isn’t rigid structure, but a rough sketch
Flexibility is freedom. Don’t recreate the 9-to-5 on the road

The Start

No amount of planning removes fear
Solo travel is scary – and exhilarating
It teaches self-reliance: what kind of life do you want?
Hostel life can become a routine of its own; be better
Everyone on the road shares the same fears and joys

Life as an Expat

Living abroad is not the same as being a tourist
Locals aren’t props – they live real lives. Integration takes time
Slowing down helps avoid tunnel vision of social media trends
Staying put reveals a deeper layer of cultural understanding and self-discovery

Burn Out

Travel isn’t all excitement – routine creeps in, even abroad
Going home is always an option
Listen to your inner voice — there’s no shame in returning
Coming home feels surreal: nothing changes, but you do

Going Back Out

Friends and family might not understand who you’ve become
There’s nothing wrong with settling if it’s your conscious choice
People often assume long-term travelers are running from life – but many are running toward meaning
Travel isn’t about replicating old memories – it’s about new intentions