#slomading

[trendynewsnow]

Why Scotland is a Prime Destination for Digital Nomads

Why Moving to Scotland is Ideal for Digital Nomads In recent years, Scotland has emerged as a highly sought-after destination for digital nomads looking to escape political unrest or simply seek a change of scenery. The country offers a unique blend of a slower lifestyle, high quality of life, reasonable affordability, and reliable infrastructure. As traditional nomadism shifts towards embracing…

[martinesabroad]

Things we've learned living and traveling abroad, as a family of four

Today we arrived in Alicante, Spain. Spain will be our base for the next 10 months.

This makes 11 countries we've been to since we left the U.S. last July: France, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia, Hungary, Austria, Montenegro, Serbia, Portugal, and Spain.

Here are some of the things that "slomading" as a family of four has taught us:

The less stuff we have the less stuff we want.

Everything we need and want fits in a bag.

Living this way costs less than our stationary U.S. life, and we're getting endless experiences from it.

It's a shame to have one life on this earth, and not explore it as much as we're able.

Nothing inspires curiosity in children, like seeing new places, and meetings all kinds of people from all over the world. My 5th grader had kids from both Russia and Ukraine in his class during this time of war - that alone teaches us a lot of lessons.

Most humans on this earth are kind.

Being abroad inspires friends to come visit, and see places they wouldn't otherwise see.

Kids make friends insanely fast.

Nothing builds resiliency in kids (and adults), like the unexpected events that occur while traveling. Every time we have an less than ideal surprise, we say "we're adventuring".

Nothing bonds a family like traveling this way.

Going to places that put you out of your comfort zone shows you that most people are generous, helpful, and kind. It also build your tolerance of fear, and teaches us that the world is by and large a safe and welcoming place.

Kids can easily stay in touch with their friends and family from all over the world, and feel connected to them, with their iPads, and they do.

I'm going to resist a lot of comparisons to the US here, aside from the fact that we feel significantly safer most places we've been, than in the US.

The Mediterranean Sea is pure divinity.

There's a lot more, but it's time to enjoy the sunset.

PS: Entrepreneurship rules.

PSS: Live now.

[billherbert23]

Phorgotography, 1

Our relationship with the photograph has changed so much over the last twenty years that the few black and white or kodachrome or instamatic images of older folks’ childhoods (and of their progenitors’ entire lives) have taken on the austerity of ikons, while the sea of images we swim in on social media makes selecting one or two as pointless as responding to the Lady of the Lake, should she…

[potterymakinginfo]

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A post shared by Pottery Making Info (@potterymakinginfo)

From @standhardt_studio • • • • • • San Luis Obispo, California I think this "Origami" version is my favorite at this very moment. :)#weaving #basketry #californiacraftsmen #form #caliliving #madeinaskutt #patterndesign #amacobrent #centralcaliforniacoast #clay #pottershands #buylocalart #claystudio #instapottery #ceramicart #floral #floralvase #madeinslo #slomade #pottery_lovers #handcraft #slolife #escher #mcescher #pottery_videos #VisitCalifornia #creamation #arts_visualization #mandala #potterylife https://www.instagram.com/p/B-JH61bhFnd/?igshid=10v2v22v4kn2a

[spaghettipickles]

#Repost @slomakerspace (@get_repost) ・・・ Cleaned house. Errands run. Prep done. We're ready for our SLO-Made Holiday Faire tomorrow -- SAT, DEC 9, 11a-3p at SLO MakerSpace located at the intersection of Madonna and Higuera. #makerspace #slomade #holidayfare #make #holidaydecorations #art #chocolate #crafts #toys #jewelry #signs #sketchbook #toys #books #soldering #pottery #antiqueart #dogstuff #stationary #bathproducts #tours #snowflake #entrepreneurs #makers #giftwrapping #familyfriendly #kids #giftbow #seeyousoon

[yahenni]

Much to the chagrin of his two siblings, SloSad & SloMad

I can only remember darretti and then the Rakdos version. Is that the two you mean or is there a second goblin planeswalker.

Slobad was a goblin from Mirrodin who (briefly) inherited Glissa’s spark, but he sacrificed it almost immediately to resurrect the citizens of the plane and send the folks Memnarch captured home.

[martinesabroad]

Slomading with kids, FAQ

I posted this elsewhere, which is why I reference the fam the way I do.

-------

My wife, two boys, and I have been "slowmading" since July 2022.

We've been to 14 countries.

Here are the most common questions we get about how and why we're doing this:

First: what is "slowmading"?

Digital nomads work remotely while traveling the world.

We're doing the same, but because we have kids, we have a base during the school year - that is, moving slower, hence "slowmading".

We make a base for 9 months, travel all summer, each school break, and many weekends.

Where have you been based?

In 2022-2023 we were based in Zagreb, Croatia.

In 2023-2024 we're based in Valencia, Spain.

Where else have you been?

U.S., France, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Portugal, Spain, England, Switzerland.

Isn't it expensive to do this?

Our biggest splurge has been the schools. Aside from that, it costs us less to live here than our US life.

Our living expenses AND travel living this way add up to about the same as our non-travel living costs at home.

How much stuff did you take?

We each brought one bag.

We've acquired some things: clothes, Lego, yoga mat, but not much.

Does it feel safe?

Everywhere we've been has felt incredibly safe, save for a recent evening in London.

What do you do for schooling?

We have been putting the boys in international schools. This has been our splurge, but it's worth it, as the schools have been incredible.

How do you decide where to go?

In choosing where to base ourselves, it's been quick and casual, we don't overthink it.

We look at places that offer a digital nomad visa, then narrow it down to parts of the world we want to explore more, and that aren't far from the coast.

We had never been to Croatia, or Valencia, before committing to going there, and that was intentional. We decided on these in a matter of hours. We're in it for the adventure.

As far as choosing where else to go, we all just toss out ideas, or if someone has a strong opinion, we do it if it's within reason.

How do you make friends?

We've made friends through the schools, and language classes, and I have found local founder friends through communities I'm in such as MicroConf and on X.

How old are your kids?

9 and 11.

How do the kids feel about it?

They miss their friends at times, but they're having a blast, and have made a bunch of new friends from around the world.

If they had their way, we'd keep doing this, but have a couple of their best friends and family come along :)

What about language?

The kids are in international schools, so those are in English.

We do our best. My wife is great at and loves languages and has been immersing herself.

The kids are learning a ton of Spanish and German and some French and Croatian.

Don't you think your kids should have more stability?

We feel they have stability.

Being based in places for the school year, they adapt and make friends quickly. It can be hard at the end of the school year and the start of the new one in a new place, but again, they adapt quickly, and we aren't doing that their whole childhood - we're only in year 2.

Facetime changes the game too - as they can keep in touch with friends and family around the world so easily.

The biggest hurdle is timezones, which they figure out.

How do you find places to stay?

For the places we rent for 9 months, we find them with local agents.

For weekends and our summer travel, it's usually Airbnb or Vrbo.

Where do you work?

I work at the dining room table, or the local Starbucks (I know, but it's reliable). My wife works at the dining room table, a coffee shop, or a co-working space.

Do you get visas?

Yes, we had a digital nomad visa in Croatia for the first year and then one in Spain.

What's your favorite place you've been?

So hard to say!

Sarajevo surprised us in the best way.

Korçula, Croatia is hard to beat for ocean swimming.

Venice in the off-season will always be special.

What do you miss most from home?

Friends and family.

Have people come to see you?

Yes! All four of our kid's grandparents have come to visit, and a handful of the kids and our friends have met us somewhere along the way. It's a great excuse for others to go abroad!

What's the best part of living this way?

So many new adventures, not every day feels the same.

We've all been exposed to so many new cultures. The kids in particular have made friends from so many parts of the world. There's even a large group of Russian and Ukrainian kids together in their school which is beautiful, considering the current events.

The kids have found immense curiosity about the world (as have we), and desire to see so much more.

Our 11-year-old now watches Flight Radar as much as he can get away with.

[spaghettipickles]

Come and say hi at the SLO Made Holiday Faire! I'm helping out at the make-a-bow station. You can shop, get your gifts wrapped and make some cool take home gifts all in one spot. :) #slomade #holidayfaire #makers #slomakerspace (at SLO Makerspace)

[spaghettipickles]

#Repost @slomakerspace (@get_repost) ・・・ We're celebrating local innovation and artists. SAT, DEC 9, 11A-3P @slomakerspace. Vendors and for more info visit our website. #slomade #holidayfaire #foodtrucks #yum #makerspacetours #makers #artists #entrepreneurs #shoplocal #makerspace

[spaghettipickles]

#Repost @slomakerspace (@get_repost) ・・・ Last call for Vendors! Over 20 assorted SLO-Made Vendors are joining us for our Holiday Faire. Learn how to make a gift bow! Kids can make 3D Snowflakes and Folded Napkin Christmas Trees. Gift wrapping service available. Tours of SLO MakerSpace See our website to sign up to be a vendor! #slomade #holidayfaire #makers #artists #entrepreneurs #tistheseason #familyfriendly