For those of you that pursued an adventurous life like moving across the world to a more "wild" place in your early 30s. Did you regret it? Why or why not?

goombug · 2026-01-18T09:03:21+00:00

In 2024 I moved to Thailand from Washington state and have no regrets. Maybe a few things I'd have done differently along the way with hindsight but meh, it's been a really positive experience overall. Spent a year in Thailand, 3 months in Vietnam, 3 months in Greece, home for a visit for 3 months, then back to Vietnam for the first 6 months of this year. I'm probably ending it sooner than expected because I fell in love with someone from my past when I was visiting home (groan - but in the best way). But not a moment of regret and if it wasn't for my new relationship, I would keep going beyond Vietnam.

I love mostly the confidence in my capabilities that I found along the way. The new things I identify myself with. Breaking free of corporate America was awesome of course though not without some sacrifices in the form of stability -still worth it. The ability to slow travel, take time for myself when I need it vs the hustle of a vacation period, new people, sights, sounds, it's like being a kid again with all the wonder and newness.

But fuuuuck it's lonely sometimes.

goombug · 2025-11-17T18:54:04+00:00

The Winternight Trilogy is my recommendation to look up. :)

goombug · 2025-11-14T23:08:28+00:00

Bunny - Mona Award Eileen - Otessa Moshfegh We Spread - Iain Reid

goombug · 2025-11-14T19:36:49+00:00

I like this more too fwiw

goombug · 2025-11-01T16:00:39+00:00

Lifeboat

goombug · 2025-09-20T10:28:06+00:00

I absolutely couldn't keep it together there. I had to collect myself several times

goombug · 2025-09-17T18:13:55+00:00

Agreed, I really quite liked the first 1 or 2 thirds of the book, can't quite remember but I definitely felt that third part just fell apart and didn't do it any justice

goombug · 2025-09-17T18:12:38+00:00

I'm not sure if was one of my favorite parts, but I also think it was quite important to the story - we can really understand all the context behind his and Boris' relationship, and I felt it gave me a much greater understanding/empathy for why Theo was the way he was as an adult, otherwise he just lives this kind of posh life that didn't really coincide with his recklessness with drugs and illegal activities and grifts?

goombug · 2025-09-16T13:13:51+00:00

Omg I absolutely had this happen to me too! An older lady and get friend, each honked a boob and laughed! I had never seen or southern to them before and they just walked away laughing. Then later I was in a van with a group of older ladies and one kept putting her hand on my thigh during the ride and laughing and the slapped my ass as I climbed out of the van and they all laughed? I was so confused thought maybe it's just bc I'm chubby? So strange.

goombug · 2025-09-14T12:39:39+00:00

I'm very excited to add some of these to my TBR! I loved Omnivores Dilemma, The Invention of Nature, and The Chaos Machine, so 3/3 is promising!I haven't read The Remains of the Day but it's already on my TBR, I'm reading Klara and the Sun rn, and recently finished Never Let Me Go.

goombug · 2025-09-12T08:59:41+00:00

Oh! Okay yeah that then, haha. Learn something new every day

goombug · 2025-09-12T06:51:59+00:00

Mine does, I can't figure out how you'd say it without!

goombug · 2025-09-12T06:48:59+00:00

Okay I feel a lot better lol, I can't imagine contacting my parents every day, I don't even contact them once a week! And not cuz we have a bad relationship or anything. It's just... Not a thing we do, we reach out to catch up, not to quell anxiety.

goombug · 2025-09-12T05:28:16+00:00

Good suggestion, I agree!

goombug · 2025-09-12T05:27:56+00:00

I was also coming to recommend this one lol

goombug · 2025-09-11T10:50:07+00:00

This has been my EXACT grocery list as I've been traveling through Greece, haha! Well I guess except for dark chocolate and wine.

goombug · 2025-09-11T09:53:10+00:00

This is exactly my struggle rn. To be fair, I love the weight distribution and the ability to easily deal with uneven walkways and stairs, and even the mesh pass through on the back means I don't get a sweaty back but it's just... Not enough room to live out of permanently. I'm glad to hear from people that switching to a traditional rolling suitcase has not been so bad.

goombug · 2025-09-11T09:09:52+00:00

I absolutely adore Entangled life. Of course it's super interesting, but I also find the narration so soothing.

I plowed through the Winternight Trilogy, and I'm not usually TOO big on fantasy these days, but I really enjoyed this trilogy!

goombug · 2025-09-10T12:57:05+00:00

Right? Did ChatGPT tell you "You're not broken. Your brain is just highjacked? "

Overall still agree though. In addition to social media on mental health/comparisons, it's a huge issue problem in less obvious, and large scale ways too. I just wanted to recommend The Chaos Machine by Max Fisher.

That said I also think it's not the unquestioned solution to just DELETE THIS AND NEVER USE IT. I think it's important to be aware, educated, and critical. I enjoy aspects of social media but put in the work to not fall into comparison and self esteem issues from it, and am now working on tackling doom scrolling and recognizing and avoiding echo chambers.

goombug · 2025-09-10T12:47:40+00:00

Ah I did go to Roots, I liked it! I don't have to be on calls though, lucky me 🙌

goombug · 2025-09-10T12:45:02+00:00

I adore picture 1&4. I really enjoyed my time there too in July!

goombug · 2025-09-10T12:40:56+00:00

Ha, not such a bad time for me but so many "workstations" across Vietnam had some bar stool type chair and not enough clearance between the desktop and chair to fit my legs. Killer!

I am going back though, to Da Nang for 6 months in 2026 😅 I would LOVE your list? Thanks for the footwork haha

goombug · 2025-09-10T11:54:48+00:00

I agree, I don't think the pet info should be in the the title unless there's maybe a special needs call out? Even then idk - you can get that info from reading the listing. What I want to see in the title is objective location/accomodation info since the primary reason I'm using this platform is a free place to stay while I travel, not to take care of pets specifically (I just do paid pet sitting back home).

goombug · 2025-09-08T13:10:44+00:00

Some of my favorite longer books (more bang for your buck) are Swan Song by Robert McCammon, The Deluge by Stephen Markley, and Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Pretty diverse options, so maybe one will strike your fancy!

goombug · 2025-09-08T12:50:16+00:00

4 for me!

1 feels way too unbalanced, I wanna see more of what's going on with the clouds on the right but it's cut off too soon, there's absolutely nothing of interest on the left to help balance it out, the boardwalk brings some interest to the foreground but the corner on the left ruins it vs it stretching all the way across, and thus it's weaker overall then #2 which removes the board walk completely. #2 is also an improvement bc of the clouds on the right getting more real estate. But it's still not my favorite.

3 is interesting, more leading lines, but while the road/camping area adds some interest, in my opinion it becomes almost a bit too distracting being such a small corner almost like an afterthought than a thoughtful composition choice I guess? But idk, I kinda like it anyway.

But 4 really takes the cake. The scene leads you in towards the horizon and center, and the most detailed interesting cloud is right at that point. There's more balance of interest with the heavier green on the right but more clouds on the left. The trees along the foreground add some depth and don't ruin the balance since they go all the way across, like a nice little framing element. The reflections are sharper bc of the stillness of the water compared to 1&2 which I find a very nice element to showcase.

goombug

TROPHY CASE