📝 Digital Nomad's Diary: 12 Recurring Moments That Shape My Life 👀

Hey Doers 😉

I have lived for almost 12 years abroad.

Fast forward to a few months ago—I decided to make a comeback to my homeland.

Getting am I back into the swing of things here?

Tougher than I thought.

I'm having a hard time getting used to it.

Every day, I ask myself: what's going on?

Even though I'm knee-deep in a cool real estate gig and playing the family superhero, there's still this void.

Something's missing.

As a digital nomad, I had a bunch of eye-opening experiences abroad, and guess what?

They kind of repeated themselves when I got back home.

So I've got the scoop to share with you because, hey, you might be feeling the same vibes...

1. My Life Was and Is One Piece of Luggage

My entire life could be stuffed into a single piece of luggage.

Every t-shirt, sock, or underwear gain value when my luggage becomes a treasure chest of memories.

This emotional connection wouldn't be possible if I didn't leave abroad.

And I feel the same even now at home.

I have three pieces of luggage in the corner that I look at every day.

Why?

Because I appreciate every thread that fits into the limited space in luggage, and as overwhelming as it may seem, there's an exciting shiver in my heart.

I've done it before, and I know, I'm capable of packing my life and moving elsewhere again.

2. I Am Independent

Starting from nothing abroad taught me to overcome obstacles, turning every problem into a challenge.

This shift in mindset freed me from the burdens that held me down for years.

But it takes time...

And a few months ago, I had to start from scratch again.

It was hard to recognize the local market in terms of business perspective because people's mindsets had significantly changed after many years.

It seemed that no one would help understand what was going on.

And why would they help me?

After all, I decided to return...

That's why I had to stop bitching and take my life again into my hands.

Simply said:

I had to become independent.

3. I Always Dwell on New Challenges

My life has never been monotonous.

During the confusion and hard times, I always discover something remarkable.

Stepping out of my comfort zone, I realize that challenges – initially terrifying, become addictive.

The dullness of routine and boredom were replaced by a thirst for new experiences, people, skills, and cultures.

Beyond my comfort zone is where I truly grow.

And I found out it is called a growth mindset.

4. I Found That Courage Was Underestimated

When I left for the first time abroad, friends and family commended my bravery but they also subtly discouraged me.

Because they wanted to do it too but gave up, lacking the courage they possessed.

I realized courage involves decision, overcoming fear, and commitment to the future.

I committed to living abroad, understanding what true courage means. But I underestimated courage how easy it would be to come back.

5. My Emotions Adapt

Up until now, I have struggled to control my emotions.

It is my extreme weakness although I work on it daily.

And I learned emotions in every country are different.

The initial ruthlessness of foreign life tested me and brought me to the brink of tears.

The same happened in my mother country.

But I stood up and reminded myself why I embarked on this journey.

My emotions became a rollercoaster, but over time I learned to control them a bit – an essential skill for adaptation.

6. I Learn What Patience Means in Personal Life

This is huge!

My home culture initially influenced my mindset, making it challenging to understand the local mentality.

Finding friends became difficult.

Even after analyzing my mistakes, I got desperate.

But then something switched in my mindset, and all those limiting beliefs turned into positive ones.

So I broke through the fact that finding new friends is not as difficult as it looks.

But I struggle to learn what patience means in business life.

After all, I'm getting older, and every time I move somewhere, starting from scratch makes me doubtful.

For that reason, I stop bitching and confront business life.

I know I'm not here to be average. I'm confident...

I'm here to be someone who can dictate and hold the ship's rudder.

I'm proactive – I learn the true meaning of patience, the building block of confidence.

7. I Continually Live a Double Life

Living a dual life means navigating two stories:

• Where I grew up
• And where I am currently

I continually think in two directions, managing two sets of everything—from phones and currencies to homes and addresses.

Simply said:

I live a double life.

8. I Think and Speak in Several Languages

Over time, I have seamlessly used multiple languages in one sentence.

My life involves two or more languages, requiring a constant focus on my native tongue.

Thinking and speaking in several languages become second nature.

It has certainly a huge advantage.

I'm not limited to the local market. I can dictate my rules and go everywhere in the world while using several languages.

9. I Freaking Face Nostalgia

A smell, taste, image, or song triggers nostalgia, momentarily transporting me back.

It reminds me of life in Hong Kong, or walking through the streets in Sydney.

Sometimes nostalgia sneaks in when the wallpaper of Bali shows on my screen.

I crave the familiarity of a place to be there again... but then the desire fades...

So I have learned...

I must confront nostalgia when I least expect it.

10. I Briefly Found My Purpose and Myself

Discovering purpose and self-living abroad made me realize the influence of culture.

Initially, useless school lessons were replaced by the real school of life.

I have formed habits that define purpose, understanding that true education comes from self-discovery.

But then, when moving somewhere, my purpose has faded. It crashed and I had to start all over again.

I'm lost and I need to find my purpose again.

After all, I am a Doer.

I need to ignite the Doer revolution within me to find my purpose again.

I understand that working hard on myself is more important than working hard on my job.

11. My Mind Is Lost at Home

When I returned, everything was wonderful, but unfortunately only for a short time.

I observe everyone is stuck in the same cycle, and the world continues without pause.

There are sheep and wolves, there are hens and eagles.

My experiences abroad start fading, but the desire for independence pulls me back.

So I ponder on it every day because I don’t want to return to the same old track...

I need to group with wolves and eagles.

But my mind is lost like a shipwreck onshore…

12. I Change Forever

Friends and family notice the change in me...

I'm different, and stronger, viewing the world from a broader perspective...

At the same time, I'm vulnerable, weaker, and freaking confused...

The journey I have undertaken shakes the foundations of my roots.

The experience of living abroad has become an instrumental force in guiding me toward an authentic understanding of my true direction—a change that extends beyond the boundaries of time, altering not just me, but everyone around me, forever.

When you live abroad, you are not the same anymore and you will never be.

Here is the video that I made 2 years ago...

Talk soon.

Vlastimil Cícha – Pat V.C.

🔥 The Doer Revolution