**FROM THIS LIFE.** *Source: Open AI. Created by Dutch Park.*

THE 3 TRIED-AND-TRUE GUERRILLA NOMAD PATHS

THE ALLURE OF THE ADVENTURER LIFESTYLE

Have you ever found yourself on YouTube or TikTok, amazed by (or even envying) travelers as you watch them navigate chaotic cities, talk and haggle with locals, and then their day with a beer in hand, chilling on a favela rooftop at sunset?

Have you pictured yourself right beside them, watching the controlled chaos of a night market, chowing down on delicious-looking street food while sitting on one of those ubiquitous plastic stools?

YOU HAVE PROBABLY WONDERED HOW THEY SEEM TO MANAGE TO TRAVEL WHEREVER THEY WANT, WHENEVER THEY WANT.
AND CAN I DO IT TOO?

Well, there is no single answer, nor a simple answer, to that question. It all depends on what your current life situation is and where you want to end up when it’s all said and done.

The first thing you have to do is figure out which Guerrilla Nomad Lifestyle best matches your current state of affairs. Then, once you’ve identified your starting point, you can learn how to work within that particular adventurer lifestyle.

And later, if you decide to upgrade, you’ll already know the next path to take.

MY JOURNEY

Many, many, many years ago, when I first realized I was starving for something more than my boring daily life in my crap town and crap job, I finally reached the tipping point of dissatisfaction over where my life was heading.

I decided to take a gamble and applied for a grip of different overseas jobs. Against all odds, one of them actually hired me for a job in the Middle East. It wasn’t a great job, it didn’t pay squat, but it was a job overseas!

From there, I planned and saved money, and as soon as I could, I took my first two-week adventure trip, then another, then a month here and there. Over time, and through trial and error, I figured out how to combine travel and adventure with a portable job.

HOW TO FIND YOUR GUERRILLA NOMAD STARTING POINT?

In the next sections, we will explore three Guerrilla Nomad Lifestyles so you can figure out which one best aligns with your current life circumstances.

These are time-honored paths to becoming a Guerrilla Nomad, so no matter who you are, where you are from, or what you do for a living, one will fit you like an old slipper.

It does not matter if you are stuck in a desk job, or you are ready to hustle and save for an extended trip, or you are motivated to embrace an unconventional lifestyle full-time. There is a path to fit your life.

THE 3 GUERRILLA NOMAD LIFESTYLES

1. THE PART-TIME GUERRILLA NOMAD

(“Indiana Jonesing It”)

Are you dreaming of a fresh start but not ready, or able to leave it all behind? This is for the person with a day job who either can’t or doesn’t want to leave.

YOU HAVE A GREAT JOB

Whether you are in a career with an excellent salary and lots of time invested, nearing retirement and know quitting now would be crazy, or you are a psycho and genuinely love your day job (architects, I’m talking about you).

NOT QUITE SURE IF THIS IS FOR YOU

Maybe you are not ready to dive into a new life, sell everything you own, and reinvent yourself. Or you want to test the waters before making an irreversible decision, so you want to dip a toe into this lifestyle before committing fully.

YOU HAVE NEVER TRAVELED IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD

This is also for first-timers who want to see what it’s like to live a more adventurous life in a new culture, career, or country. If any of this resonates with you, you are in the right place.

COMBINING AN ADVENTUROUS LIFESTYLE & BALANCING LIFE'S RESPONSIBILITIES

Just like the patron saint of Professional Adventurers and Guerrilla Nomads, Indiana Jones (only films 1, 2, and 3), having a day job does not mean you can’t also live a life full of travel and adventure.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PART-TIME GUERRILLA NOMAD:

MASTERS OF BALANCE: They excel at planning the limited time they have to enjoy fulfilling travel experiences.
SHORTER ADVENTURE-FILLED TRIPS: Instead of month- or year-long travels, they embrace quick escapes that combine itinerary with spontaneity.
EFFICIENT AND STRATEGIC: They know how to use weekends, holidays, and vacation days strategically, turning a weekend into a four-day trip to Puerto Rico.
STUBBORN ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT: Despite time limitations, they figure out how to fit in unique travel and adventure experiences.
MINDFULNESS: They can leave work behind on the plane to be present in the moment.

For most folks, this balanced approach is the most practical way to live the Guerrilla Nomad lifestyle. It’s also a great place to start.

PRE-FULL TIME GUERRILLA NOMAD

And if your end goal is to one day become a Full-Time Guerrilla Nomad, you’ll have time on your side to start part-time. You’ll have as much time as you need to create a solid plan to transition your work, home, and all the remnants of a conventional life into full-time adventuring.

Eventually, you’ll be ready to pack your bag for the last time and go all-in, if that’s your end goal. If not, and part-timing it fits your life for the foreseeable future, that’s great too.

TIPS FOR PART-TIME GUERRILLA NOMADS:

USE LONG WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS: Plan your trips around public holidays to get the most time off without eating into your vacation days, which you can save for your big yearly adventure.
OPTIMIZE TRANSIT TIME: Choose destinations with short flight times or take red-eye flights to maximize your time on the ground.
HAVE A “WEEKEND” MINDSET: Take advantage of local or in-state options that allow you to experience adventure without requiring extended transit times.
MAKE WORK-TRAVEL HYBRID TRIPS: If possible, tack on personal travel days to work trips or get approval to attend industry conventions in states that would normally be too far away for a weekend trip.
GET CREATIVE: Your time is limited, so figure it out. We suggest using the Guerrilla Nomad Planning Method HERE to squeeze every drop out of that adventure orange.

2. THE MANIAC GUERRILLA NOMAD

(“The Patrick Bateman”)

The Maniac Guerrilla Nomad is a relentless hustler, taking on every gig, job, or side hustle they can find, working seven days a week, and saving every penny while crashing on a cot in their brother's basement.

Once they’ve built up a stash of cash, they buy a one-way ticket to Brazil for a wild journey of travel and adventure until the money runs out. Then it’s back to square one, rinse and repeat baby.

GREAT FOR TAKING A BREAK FROM EVERYONE

This option can also be a great one if you’re looking to reset your life after everything has gone south and you don’t know what to do next. Or maybe you want to drop out for a few months to finally write that sci-fi novel you’ve always dreamed of. I know a few people who, after a divorce or the collapse of a long-term relationship, did this as a way to hit the reset button.

OR RESTARTING YOUR LIFE

I also know a couple of guys in their 50s who, after losing everything financially, said “F-it” and threw themselves into the grind. They would work at Home Depot during the day, deliver Uber Eats at night, and take 12-hour security guard shifts on weekends. After a few months, they bought one-way tickets to Thailand so they could have somewhere to clear their heads and figure out their next move.

THIS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE

The Maniac Guerrilla Nomad thrives on sacrifice, ingenuity, and grit, all in pursuit of the ultimate reward: freedom and adventure.

While some of the more psycho Maniac Guerrilla Nomads do live this way indefinitely, it is not a permanent lifestyle suited for the average Joe.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MANIAC GUERRILLA NOMAD:

PSYCHO-LIKE FOCUS ON TRAVEL GOALS: Every extra shift at Walmart, boring freelance project, or side hustle is fueled by knowing that in a few months, they will be free in some far-off destination.
BUDGETING PRO: They are experts at cutting costs, minimalist living, and putting every dollar earned into their travel fund.
HARDWORKING HUSTLER: From morning Starbucks shifts to late-night bartending, they are always on the grind, fueled by the thought of getting their next passport stamp.
THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS: When it comes to doing what they have to do to travel, they don’t hold back. No sacrifice, no hardship, no amount of taking crap from some dummy bossing them around will deter them from their end goal. Everything is always an all-in effort.
STRAIGHT-UP JUST NUTS: Yeah, some really wild people fall into this category of Guerrilla Nomad. It is hard to articulate, but when you run into the wilder end of the spectrum of this type, you will know it.

I MET A MANIAC IN CAMBODIA

Back not so far in the day, I met a freshly arrived British guy in a Cambodian pub who told me how six months ago his girlfriend back in the UK kicked him out of their flat, and he ended up living out of his car for 5 months.

He parked his car near his sister’s house so he could shower in the evening and babysit for her. Every other spare minute he worked as a math tutor and did odd-job man (British for handyman) stuff on the weekends.

He said it was miserable but in the end, he saved enough to buy a ticket and to live in Southeast Asia for a year so he could “bloody sort meself out.”

He ended up getting a job teaching English at an international school in Indonesia, where he has lived with his new wife for over 11 years now.

TIPS FOR ASPIRING MANIAC GUERRILLA NOMADS:

DIVERSIFY YOUR INCOME OPTIONS: Consider gig economy jobs like ride-sharing, freelance work, or anything else to supplement your primary income.
PUT YOUR EGO IN A GARBAGE CAN: You are a Maniac, so do what you have to do no matter what your ego is telling you to do. Hold your tongue when some drunk dummy starts acting a fool at work.
SET CLEAR GOALS: Figure out a specific amount of money you need to save and break it into manageable savings milestones to stay motivated.
LEVERAGE DEALS: Download every restaurant app for deals, learn how to cook, ask a friend or family member if you can set up a cot in their garage, sell your car, and live in a van—do whatever. Your time spent not on adventures and traveling is inconsequential compared to your final goal.
GO IN STAGES: Don’t just start this lifestyle tomorrow. Try it in week-long blasts and figure out how long you can maintain such a high tempo. When you need to, strategically take breaks to avoid burnout by scheduling downtime between work marathons.

3. THE PERMANENT GUERRILLA NOMAD

(“The Full-Timer”)

You dipped your toes in the water, spent a few cycles doing a couple of weeks in Vietnam, two weeks in Colombia, and maybe you got wild and spent a month in Northern Iraq. And somewhere along the way, you realize this is the life for you.

So you sold all your stuff, picked up an old minivan, and parked it at your buddy’s place to crash when not working. You went full crazy and made the leap into full-time Guerrilla Nomad mode for a year.

Or you are somewhat less crazy and already had or got a remote job, tested the waters by living in Southeast Asia for a few months at a time, and found that the leap was not going to be as daunting as you first thought.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS

The major difference between this and all of the other Guerrilla Nomad lifestyles comes down to one thing: having a reliable, paying job that lets you work from anywhere in the world with just an internet connection or finding a job overseas.

Additional options, such as entrepreneurship, freelancing or consulting overseas, online gig work, and content creation, tend to be less predictable when it comes to generating a steady income but are still viable options.

Figuring out how to create a stable income for yourself is by far the most challenging aspect of becoming a Permanent Guerrilla Nomad. It will require time, likely an upfront investment in yourself, and the ability to embrace delayed gratification while you develop the skills, connections, and education needed to make it into a reality.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A PERMANENT GUERRILLA NOMAD:

PORTABLE JOB OR SKILL: They possess expertise or skills that enable them to work remotely or find employment opportunities in different countries.
SELF-MOTIVATION AND DISCIPLINE: Proactive and independent, they can prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain productivity without supervision.
ADAPTABILITY: Quick to adjust to new environments, they are skilled at learning new tools, languages, or techniques to remain competitive.
RESILIENCE AND PROBLEM-SOLVING: With a positive mindset, they tackle unexpected challenges, setbacks, and uncertainty by thinking critically and staying solution-oriented.
MINIMALIST LIFESTYLE: Embracing a “less is more” philosophy, they travel and live light, ensuring they remain flexible and mobile.
STRONG COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Whether connecting with clients, colleagues, or locals, they excel at articulating ideas and building meaningful relationships.
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT: With a growth mindset, they actively seek opportunities to expand their skills or ventures, confidently pursuing unconventional career paths and embracing calculated risks.
CLEVER: They can identify and capitalize on loopholes that are unique to them or their specific situation.

Making the leap from living somewhere you can easily return to your old job or pick up gig work in a pinch, to moving to a foreign country thousands of miles away from those safety nets is no small feat.

It requires meticulous planning, a fair amount of forcing a bunch of square pegs through star-shaped holes, and a bit of luck. But by no means is it impossible to reach this goal. I have met people from all over the world who have. Honestly, I am half stupid sometimes, but here I am, a Permanent Guerrilla Nomad as I write this.

TIPS FOR ASPIRING PERMANENT GUERRILLA NOMADS:

REMOTE JOBS: There are various levels of remote jobs available, depending on your education and experience. Take the time to research the types of roles that align with your skills and qualifications to find opportunities suited to your level.
OVERSEAS JOBS: Finding a job overseas is no easy task, but the opportunities are out there if you know where to look. Roles in the defense contracting industry, non-profits, NGOs, or teaching at international schools can vary widely in availability. These jobs can range from plentiful, to highly competitive depending on your experience and qualifications.
REMOTE GIG WORK: Getting training in fields like data annotation for AI models, data entry, or earning certification as an administrative professional are excellent options to explore. These roles are often in demand and can serve as an okay starting point for building a location-independent career.
CERTIFICATIONS: Getting relevant education or certifications can unlock opportunities, especially for industries that hire foreigners, like English teaching.
START FROM ZERO: If there’s an industry or specific portable job you’re interested in, start from the ground up. Research what training, experience, and certifications are necessary to get your foot in the door and build a path toward your goal.

Earning an income in a way that allows you to work from anywhere in the world with just an internet connection or getting a job overseas is a broad and incredibly big topic. It encompasses tons of different possibilities, including finding a location-independent job, entrepreneurship, and overseas work opportunities.

This is a topic we will be exploring in a series of articles, each designed to provide actionable steps and practical advice.

In the meantime, the tips above will get you started.

WHICH PATH SPEAKS TO YOU?

What path are you going to take? Part-Time Guerrilla Nomad, Maniac Guerrilla Nomad, or Permanent Guerrilla Nomad?

Whether you’re just dipping your toes in or ready to dive headfirst into this lifestyle, I hope this has helped you identify where to take action and how to get started.

Share your thoughts, ask questions, or tell your story in the comments below.

Adventure Awaits!

HOW TO BECOME A GUERRILLA NOMAD: THE 3 TRIED-AND-TRUE PATHS