Open Letter to the Aspiring Nomad Who’s Afraid to Start

Dear aspiring nomad who’s afraid to start,

If you’ve stumbled upon this letter, chances are there’s a whisper in your heart that refuses to go silent. A call for freedom. A longing to roam. A vision of a life that feels more aligned with your soul than the one you’re currently living. But fear is holding you back. Self-doubt is gripping tightly. Maybe money feels too tight, maybe you don’t feel brave enough, or maybe you’re just waiting for some magical “right time.” If that’s you—I see you. I was you.

And this letter is for you.

Jeremy standing on desert rocks with a backpack and water bottle, surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs under a partly cloudy sky. — The world gets quiet out here—and that’s when you finally hear yourself. Sometimes the loudest calling comes in the stillest places.

🌍 The Voice That Won’t Go Away

We all have that inner compass. For some, it points toward the mountains. For others, toward oceans, open highways, or dense forests where time slows down. The call to be a nomad isn’t always about a van, a tent, or a converted school bus. It’s about the desire to live life on your terms—more simply, more freely, and more meaningfully.

But here’s what no one tells you when that call first appears: it often arrives with fear riding shotgun.

“What if I fail?”
“What if I can’t afford it?”
“What if I’m not strong enough to handle this?”

These are not signs you aren’t meant to go. They’re signs that you care deeply. You’re standing at the edge of transformation, and transformation always comes with resistance.

Electric truck parked on a rugged desert trail under a clear blue sky, surrounded by rocky terrain and distant mountains. — You don’t need a perfect plan—just the willingness to embrace the unknown to roam free.

🛑 To the Aspiring Nomad Who’s Afraid to Start: Your Fears Are Valid—But Not Final

I want to acknowledge your fears because they’re real. They stem from conditioning, from years of being told what success looks like, from responsibilities you carry, from trauma, and from the unknown. But those fears don’t have to be permanent roadblocks. They can become wind at your back—gently nudging you forward into something braver, freer, and more true to who you really are.

I’m not here to sugarcoat the journey. I won’t tell you it’s always easy, or that you’ll never second guess your choice. But I will tell you this:

The moment you begin, the weight of regret starts to lift.

Even if you start small. Even if you stumble.

🔧 To the Aspiring Nomad Who’s Afraid to Start: Begin Where You Are

One of the biggest myths about the nomadic lifestyle is that you need a fancy setup to begin. A tricked-out van. A five-figure budget. Brand deals. Thousands of followers. Let me be blunt: none of that is required to start living the life you crave.

I’ve met people who began with nothing but a $500 car and a tent. I’ve shared campsites with travelers who stealth-camp in sedans or sleep under the stars. And guess what? Many of them are some of the most peaceful, fulfilled souls I’ve ever met.

Don’t let perfectionism stop your progress. The truth is, you can start right now—with what you have, from where you are.

Jeremy working on a laptop and external monitor inside a mobile outdoor setup next to a teardrop camper, planning travel routes on a digital map. — Freedom takes planning. Whether you’re mapping your route or building your emergency fund.

📋 Practical Steps for the Aspiring Nomad Who’s Afraid to Start

Let’s take some of that fear and transform it into motion:

✅ 1. Define What Nomad Life Means to You

Do you want to travel full-time or just seasonally? Stay rooted in one region or roam freely across the country? Are you drawn to quiet solitude or vibrant community? Spend time reflecting on these questions—journal your thoughts, and talk to people already living the life you’re dreaming of. Clarity breeds confidence, and knowing what you want will help guide your decisions and avoid unnecessary detours. The more you define your vision, the easier it becomes to take the first step.

✅ 2. Simplify Your Life

Start decluttering with intention. Embrace minimalism not as sacrifice, but as freedom. Every item you release lifts a little more weight—physically, mentally, and emotionally—creating space for the life you’re ready to live. Let go of what no longer serves you, and you’ll begin to uncover what truly matters. With each step, you’ll feel lighter, more focused, and more prepared to roam freely.

✅ 3. Test the Waters

Before quitting your job or selling your stuff, ease into the lifestyle with short, low-cost adventures. Rent a camper for the weekend, try car camping at a local park, or house sit for a friend. You can also volunteer through platforms like Workaway to exchange help for a place to stay while experiencing nomadic life firsthand. These trial runs will help you build confidence, learn what you truly need, and uncover the kind of journey that fits you best.

✅ 4. Build a “Nomad Fund”

You don’t need $10k to get started—but having even a modest emergency fund can offer peace of mind on the road. Start by tracking your expenses and identifying where you can cut back. Budget with intention, save what you can, and prioritize flexibility over perfection. The goal isn’t a huge bank account—it’s creating just enough cushion to help you take that leap with confidence.

✅ 5. Find Your Tribe

Connect with supportive online communities like Nomadic Women, Vanlife Pride, Nomads of Color, and Boondocking Full Time. These groups are full of experienced travelers who understand the ups and downs of this lifestyle. Ask questions, share your fears, and learn from those who’ve already taken the leap. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people turns hesitation into momentum—because when you see others thriving, it becomes easier to believe that you can too.

Close-up of a mud-covered Rivian R1T, parked on gravel after an off-road adventure. — This is what progress looks like. It’s messy, imperfect—and proof you’re out there doing the thing.

❌ To the Aspiring Nomad Who’s Afraid to Start: You’re Not Behind

Comparison will steal your joy faster than a broken-down van in the desert. You might look at Instagram and think, “They have it all figured out.” But here’s the secret most people won’t tell you:

Every single nomad started out clueless.
They made mistakes. Got lost. Felt lonely. Cried in Walmart parking lots.

But they also witnessed sunrises over mountaintops, shared meals with strangers-turned-family, and discovered strength they didn’t know they had.

You will too.

A group of people gathered around a glowing campfire at night, seated in a circle with string lights in the background. — Sometimes the best stories are told by firelight. You don’t have to do this alone.

📢 The World Needs Your Story

Maybe no one in your circle understands why you want to do this. Maybe they’re telling you it’s irresponsible or unrealistic. Please don’t let their limitations become yours.

You are not selfish for wanting more out of life.
You are not foolish for choosing a different path.
You are not alone in this.

The world needs dreamers who break the mold. It needs storytellers who roam, who connect, who remind us what freedom feels like. And that includes you, dear aspiring nomad who’s afraid to start.

Jeremy standing on a large rock at the edge of a mountain viewpoint, overlooking a vast desert valley under a clear blue sky. — This is what it looks like when you give yourself permission to begin.

🎟️ Permission to Begin

So here it is: you have permission to begin.

You don’t need to wait until you’re perfectly ready—because “ready” is a myth.

Start messy.
Start small.
Start scared.
But start.

Because the moment you say yes to your dreams, something magical happens. You start remembering who you are. You step out of the cage. You begin to fly.

If you’re looking for a way to combine your journey with deeper meaning, check out Adventure With Purpose—our mission to inspire, give back, and support outdoor lovers in need. It’s proof that even one person’s journey can ripple out and make a difference.

Jeremy wearing a Rivian hard hat and reflective vest, standing in front of the sun with a soft glow surrounding him. — Before the road called—I didn’t have answers, just a feeling it was time for something more.

🙌 A Note From Someone Who Did It Anyway

I was scared too. I had a stable job, a comfortable home, and all the boxes checked. But my soul was starving. I didn’t know how I’d make it work, but I took the leap anyway—and it’s the best decision I ever made.

Not because it’s always perfect.
But because I feel alive.

Now I travel full-time in my electric truck and tiny camper, exploring hidden trails, watching sunsets from cliffs, and meeting people whose hearts beat to the same wild rhythm. I created Deuce Roams not to show off—but to show what’s possible.

If I can do it, so can you.

Two ducks standing on a sandy beach with a painted rock between them that reads “Roam Free.” — Life’s better when you roam free. Let the signs remind you to follow your own path.

🌎 Let’s Roam Free & Explore More Together

If this letter stirred something inside you, hold on to that. Print it out. Bookmark it. Come back to it whenever fear creeps back in.

And when you’re ready to take your first step—send me a message. I’ll be here, cheering you on, because this world is big and beautiful, and you were made to explore it.

To the aspiring nomad who’s afraid to start:
Your journey has already begun.
Now it’s time to take that next step.

Roam free,
Jeremy