The loneliness epidemic is killing my generation. And it’s far more dangerous than COVID, cancer or any other sickness.
Why? Because it’s totally avoidable.
Young people are spending 70% less time socializing than two decades ago. And that isolation isn’t something to scoff at. It causes depression, misery and suicide.
I’m not immune.
As a solopreneur traveling around South America alone, I may be more lonely than the average American. Yeah, it takes its toll mentally and emotionally.
When I left my 9-to-5, started my own business and moved continents in 2021, I lost a lot of the relationships I had worked so hard to build. The relationships that meant so much to me. The relationships that kept me going even on bad days.
So now in 2023, I’m doubling down on my relationships.
- To cure my loneliness
- To connect with and learn from my peers
- And to help others do the same
Here are the 3 things I’m prioritizing:
1. Growing an audience to connect with cool people
I’ve worked really hard to grow my content marketing business to $300k in under two years. It’s a part of my identity.
But for the most part, I’ve been a lone wolf.
- I didn’t share my lessons learned
- I didn’t reach out to others for help
- I didn’t read or watch content that would help me
Something I regret: Not publicly documenting my journey up to this point.
Not only could I have learned from others in the same phase of life and business as I’m in. But I could’ve also connected with others and built some cool relationships.
In February 2023 I started sharing my experience through Twitter and here in the Freedom Files. How I quit my job, the steps I took to scale my company and the fun I’ve had living in 7 countries in 18 months.
Suddenly, I’m not a lone wolf.
- I’ve met other entrepreneurs who I can learn from.
- I found a whole lot of people traveling the same routes as I am.
- And I’ve been able to help a few young men quit their jobs, start a business and move out of their home country – a whole other business!
When you share your journey, the doors really do open themselves.
2. Prioritizing in-person connection
This may seem obvious to you, but it wasn’t to me.
I built my business completely virtually halfway across the world from all my contacts and clients.
Trust me when I say – Nothing beats in-person relationships.
I’ve connected with a ton of people on the platform. But those relationships aren’t entirely real until I meet them in-person.
I have a secret weapon: Twitter.
Since February, I’ve built true friendships and business relationships – sometimes from a single tweet.
A few pieces of advice:
- Seek shared experiences — Don’t just connect willy nilly with randos. DM those who you’re genuinely interested in because you share something in common.
- And don’t be afraid to punch up — I wouldn’t be where I am today if I were scared of reaching out to people with more followers, more money or more “success” than I have.
In virtually every city I land, I have a list of entrepreneurs and creators I can connect with on a deeper-than-superficial level.
Remember the movie Limitless? Yeah, this has been a powerful unlock for my career and social life.
3. Setting down roots in a central location
Traveling is fun – even exhilarating. I won’t ever stop promoting travel as a really freakin good way to learn more about yourself, the world and the people around you.
But full-time travel is incredibly destabilizing.
Since leaving the United States in 2021, I’ve lived in 7 countries in 18 months:
- Argentina
- Costa Rica
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Panamá
- Perú
- Uruguay
(By the way, travel guides for all are coming soon 😉 Subscribe to Freedom Files to be the first to know)
Want to lead or be a part of a community? Full-time travel makes that nearly impossible.
I realize if I want to live the life and grow the business I desire, I need a homebase. I need stability.
So I’ve set up shop in Medellín, Colombia. Why?
- Close to the United States and Europe for business and family travel
- A thriving community full of entrepreneurs and creators
- I’m happier, healthier and in love in this city
Loneliness is a real problem if you’re a location-independent entrepreneur like me. But by …
- Growing an audience of cool people
- Prioritizing IRL connection
- Setting up a home base
… I’m able to prioritize people again and enjoy life.
