Welcome to the Intentional Nomad podcast — I’m Sarah J.D., a former multinational executive turned creative entrepreneur, writer, and expat coach. Over the years, I’ve traveled to over 50 countries, relocated 15 times, and learned to navigate life across cultures while raising a family, working, and building businesses.

This podcast is about the real side of nomadic life. Not just the highlights and Instagram shots, but the truths, lessons, and even struggles that come with living beyond borders. Together, we’ll explore how to discover yourself, find meaning, and unlock your full potential — no matter where you are in the world.

Today’s episode is called: “The Hidden Truths of Excessive Traveling.”

The Glamour vs. Reality

When people think about travel, they often picture adventure, freedom, and excitement. And yes, travel can bring all of that. I’ve lived moments that felt magical: sunsets in the Caribbean, coffee in Paris, flights over the Pacific…

But here’s what no one tells you: when traveling becomes constant — when relocation after relocation becomes your reality — it also comes with exhaustion, loneliness, and even identity loss.

There’s a difference between taking a trip to recharge… and living in a permanent state of uprooting. I know, because I’ve lived it.

The Cost of Constant Motion

Let’s be honest. Each move means starting over:

• New home.

• New school for your kids, in you have children.

• New doctors, new paperwork, new culture to adapt to.

It’s exciting at first — but after the fifth, the tenth, the fifteenth time… it wears you down.

I remember arriving in a new country with just two suitcases, thinking: Here we go again. Instead of joy, I felt emptiness. The more I moved, the less “home” meant anything. And the truth is — you can lose parts of yourself in the process.

Relationships fade, routines break, and sometimes, you forget where you belong.

What We Don’t Talk About Enough

This is something many nomads, expats, and even diplomats’ families experience: relocation burnout.

But we rarely talk about it openly, because society celebrates the adventurous spirit. People look at your life and say: “You’re so lucky! You’re living the dream.” And yes, I am grateful. But gratitude doesn’t erase the fatigue, the grief of leaving loved ones behind, or the stress of rebuilding your identity over and over again.

And so, today, I want to normalise this conversation. To say: if you feel exhausted, unstable, or rootless after too much travel, you are not alone.

Healing and Finding Balance

So, how do we deal with this?

First, acknowledge it. Traveling a lot doesn’t always equal happiness. Give yourself permission to admit when it’s too much.

Second, find anchors: people, practices, or places that give you stability — whether it’s a morning ritual, a long-distance friend who always checks in, or a language that feels like home.

And third, if possible, get closure. For me, that has meant revisiting certain places and people that shaped me — my childhood home, my father’s village, even friends from past chapters. Going back allowed me to honour those parts of my story instead of running from them.

Sometimes, slowing down and looking back is the only way to move forward.

Reflection for You

So I want to leave you with a question:

What does “home” mean to you right now?

Take a moment to reflect, or even write it down. Not the picture-perfect answer, but your real, honest truth. That awareness can be the beginning of building more balance in your nomadic journey.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Intentional Nomad podcast. If today’s conversation resonated with you, please share it with a fellow traveler or expat who might need it.

And remember: you can read more stories like this on my blog, Intentional Nomad, linked in the show notes.

Until next time — keep exploring the world, discovering yourself, and inspiring passion.