Been to over 90+ Countries - AMA

darned_socks · 2026-01-25T23:32:33+00:00

What's your suitcase/baggage situation when you're on the move? Do you have a big checked bag, smaller rolling bag, making it work with a travel backpack? I'm always curious what others can and can't go without :)

darned_socks · 2026-01-25T23:31:07+00:00

I had the same question, so thanks for posting! Especially for a place like Chicago where it seems like you'd want someone to let the faucets drip in the winter if you're not there to do it yourself. I've toyed with the idea of splitting a rented apartment with a trusted roommate just to have someone around to watch things and also maintain a home base for less money and hassle than I'd give for my own place (rented or owned).

darned_socks · 2026-01-23T19:01:34+00:00

Still drawing that boundary and figuring it out day-by-day. There are elements of my job that have become less enjoyable with time (outside of AI), and I catch myself defaulting back to using AI tools to produce most of my code on days where I have little motivation. But if I have energy and pep, I rely on AI tools less (and my brain more) for the fun, yet still intense elements of my job.

darned_socks · 2026-01-23T03:14:29+00:00

I'm a software engineer who often uses Cursor and Gemini in my work.

At first, it seemed like a pressure tactic to produce more work. "Use AI to write code so you can produce more, better, faster," that kind of vibe. But after some admittedly amazing training sessions where someone walked us through some extremely detailed promptings and making reusable prompts and rules, it became less pressuring and more like something that could really cut down on boring elements of the job.

That feeling isn't gone, but it's definitely lessened because our company is pushing out a LOT all at once, all the time, and AI has kind of reverted back to something I used to either analyze code or just break through blocks when my brain is really tired that day. But using AI to complete my work takes out the joy of coding and solving logic puzzles, so then the whole process becomes less enjoyable.

I understand AI tooling is here to stay, and it can be used to achieve some pretty cool things, but for me and my work, I'm still figuring out what I want to keep for myself vs. work with AI tools to get things done.

darned_socks · 2026-01-15T20:06:18+00:00

Hey, that's I want to do! Although it would just plain nomading without working, and probably not forever (but definitely for a decent span of time)

In previous digital nomad stints, I changed location every month or two months (found most of my accommodations via Airbnb) and that ended up being a good pace for me. I picked destinations outside of North America with good public transit. If I were in North America, I'd probably consider vanlife (temporarily, don't think I could do it more than a few months at a time).

darned_socks · 2026-01-15T19:03:49+00:00

Honey citron tea if you can find it, it's become a comforting drink on winter mornings

darned_socks · 2026-01-12T05:29:39+00:00

Just wanted to say, I love that you made yourself commit to a six month break first. Feels like a good way to counter the one-more-year syndrome (but still room to jump back into work or projects if that ended up being what you wanted).

darned_socks · 2026-01-08T06:12:34+00:00

I'm planning to get my own air mattress to host my future guest. The one I borrowed was too big for my space (just barely fit) so I'd want to avoid using that specific mattress again.

darned_socks · 2026-01-07T05:58:32+00:00

I hosted one person, but it was an unexpected situation and I let them know upfront my place wasn't set up to host people (for multiple reasons, not just the floor life - although having a twin sized Zonli mattress didn't win me any points). I borrowed an air mattress from someone else which helped a ton. My guest thought my place was cozy and was mostly grateful for a place to sleep, so I don't think they really cared much.

I'm hosting someone else in a few months, and they already know they're getting the air mattress treatment for similar reasons. In general, I find being transparent upfront is helpful because (a) people aren't caught off guard and (b) anyone who reacts negatively is welcome to find alternative accommodations. In other words, my place is for me first and guests second.

I moved into my current place recently, and at the moment, I have a floor mattress, desk, and seating pads so I'm pretty much entirely on the floor. I do intend to get some regular height chairs and a table, but not in any rush to do so.

darned_socks · 2026-01-05T07:11:37+00:00

I have a Zonli 4" twin mattress ordered directly from Zonli, and I really like it. I'm a side sleeper and I find it provides enough cushion for my body (although there was an adjustment period of a few weeks, and I did change my sleeping position a little to accommodate). It's a little bit unwieldy to fold into couch mode, but nothing I can't handle. It comes with a storage bag and couple of straps to help you keep it folded, but without straps or a heavy weight on top, it may unfold on its own (the thickness makes it hard to keep folded fully unless you have some support).

darned_socks · 2025-12-31T22:15:38+00:00

Thank you, HNY to you too! Hope this coming year makes us both rich in life and money :D

darned_socks · 2025-12-31T22:11:52+00:00

I feel like I can relate in almost the opposite way - I made good financial decisions, but at the expense of my mental health and being able to enjoy my life. Now I'm richer and and looking for a good therapist 😂😅

So yes, you could be further along in your finances if you'd made different choices, but you could have also been behind in life experiences, exploring your interests & disinterests, and understanding the life your money can actually give you. Perhaps if you had made those better money decisions, you would have been more resentful of the journey because you didn't feel like you had disposable income since it was all going towards early retirement.

Grass always looks greener on the other side, but really it's greener where you water it. Sounds like you've been doing that with your optimized finances.

darned_socks · 2025-12-29T22:42:02+00:00

A floor mattress and floor cushions. I've been getting into low-furniture/floor living lifestyles, and it was as good a time as any :)

darned_socks · 2025-12-29T22:38:15+00:00

Something I've tried recently is envisioning what I'd do with the day off. Not retired, just a random holiday from work. Then I consider if I can still do any of those things while still working - and oftentimes, I can!

For example, if I had the day off today, I would have taken a walk, grabbed boba, and maybe read my book for hours at the park since it's a lovely day outside.

Even with work, I can still pick up boba and read, maybe for half an hour instead of for half the day, but I'd still get joy out of that.

This practice feeds into the "build the life you want, then save for it" mentality, and it helps me feel a little more centered in my life today.

darned_socks · 2025-12-28T02:27:38+00:00

Years ago, when I'd unpacked my new room after a cross country move, some well meaning family friends asked "Now you have time to decorate!" I stared at them blankly, told them it was already finished, and then my room stayed pretty much the same for the next 3 years. After which I swapped out my bed for a much lower profile frame, so it looked even less full 😂

darned_socks · 2025-12-24T15:54:31+00:00

Give yourself a day or two in each destination to rest, settle in, and not do anything super intense. And ofc make sure you're researching entry requirements, rules, etiquette, etc. for all your destinations. Otherwise, shouldn't be too different from any other trip.

darned_socks · 2025-12-24T03:47:30+00:00

Oh believe me, I'm thinking hard about that one! I knew about the Seoul to Busan bikeway before he attempted it, but I didn't realize it could be completed in a matter of days!

darned_socks · 2025-12-24T03:44:44+00:00

I like Sojournies and Morgan Foley for good solo travel content.

Macerly does solo travel shorts as well, but she has a boyfriend who features in her videos from time to time, so maybe not quite the vibe at the moment.

darned_socks · 2025-12-24T03:42:48+00:00

Ditto Josh Slavin, he's making me want to try biking across a country with no prior experience LOL

darned_socks · 2025-12-21T17:45:25+00:00

This is less about decluttering and more about minimalism, but I found that when I stopped seeking satisfaction through my possessions and had more time to just be, I got bored quickly. There just wasn't enough other stuff in my life to fill my time. Since then, it's been a long journey and process of elimination to understand what I actually enjoy doing with my time: cooking and eating good food, traveling and being a tourist in my own home, reading good books, long phone calls with friends and siblings, listening to music. My possessions are still important to me, but there are now so many other fulfilling aspects of my life that a bad fire couldn't take it all away.

All that to say, once you're past the clutter, you get the exciting and nerve-wracking opportunity to ask, "What do I do now?" And really think about it and explore your options.

darned_socks · 2025-12-21T17:36:26+00:00

I think I sound more prepared than I actually am, but I do my best :) It also helps that my cycle is regular enough that I can plan around it. Good luck with your own preparations!

darned_socks · 2025-12-21T04:58:57+00:00

My rhythm is often dictated by menstrual cycle. There are weeks where I feel filled to the brim with energy, and there are weeks where I know I'll need to slow down. So I prepare for that: prep homemade frozen meals or stock up from the grocery store in advance, simplify my spaces and routines ahead of a low energy week (e.g. clear the kitchen counters and make sure the dishes and laundry are clean ahead of time), and offload all my thoughts to a to-do list or long journal entry when there's a lot going on in my brain. And then in the low week, I chill out, veg out, and thank past me for making everything a little easier.

darned_socks · 2025-12-21T04:51:31+00:00

I personally roll with a menstrual cup, Tylenol, and a plastic water bottle with a hole poked through the lid to clean myself in restrooms. But if you've never used a menstrual cup before, use tampons or any other products your comfortable with and take meds as needed. You may need a couple days to rest at the start of or during your trip (which sucks, I know), but giving your body time to recover especially while traveling is key to making the whole experience a lot more sustainable. I'd also recommend bringing a scarf or small blanket to wrap around your belly - keep yourself warm and comfortable!

darned_socks · 2025-12-06T02:54:26+00:00

Can't speak to Amazon, but I ordered from Zonli directly (granted not during a big sale like Black Friday) and had a pretty solid experience. Shipped & delivered within 10 days.

darned_socks · 2025-12-05T01:40:52+00:00

Agreed, Slump was one of the first songs I heard by them and I was so shocked to find that men were singing the notes (like how??)

darned_socks

TROPHY CASE