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The West has fallen: Time to pack your bags and leave?

Ep 037: The crackdown on free speech is just the beginning—here’s why digital nomadism could be the answer.

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If you think the West is still a beacon of freedom, you’re either living under a rock or in deep denial.

The West has fallen: Time to pack your bags and leave?

This week, total insanity broke out.

  • Police in the UK are now jailing random people for posting on social media, such as 51-year-old British Army veteran Darren Brady, this week for having the audacity of sharing a meme on Facebook. Let me say that one more time so you can let it sink in. We are witnessing people being locked up for voicing their opinions on social media in Europe. It's time to wake up.

  • The EU threatened Elon Musk with an open letter that not even George Orwell could have imagined, essentially warning him about having an open dialogue with Donald Trump.

Think about it.

An unelected bureaucrat from the EU is daring to dictate what an American citizen—who also happens to be the world’s richest man and a presidential candidate—can or cannot say during the election campaign.

If this is not textbook fascism, what is?

Meanwhile, on the streets, we see a grotesque display of anti-fascist protests while simultaneously silencing people whose opinions they don’t like in unison with a mainstream media that is so corrupt and rotten to the core that no one with half a brain still believes it.

I don't care where people stand politically, left or right; it doesn't matter; but if you advocate for silencing or censoring those who disagree with you—or, worse, believe they should be imprisoned—then we have a problem because this appears to me to be totalitarianism at its darkest, reminiscent of oppressive regimes in Venezuela, North Korea or what my fellow Germans endured before the wall came down in 1990.

Honestly, I never wanted to make this newsletter about politics at all because I’d rather focus on productive and inspirational topics like travel, adventure, entrepreneurship, creativity, photography or even spirituality.

However, this is highly relevant to those of us who think about leaving our home countries behind and embracing a digital nomad lifestyle or simply a life abroad.

I’ll show you more about that in a moment.

If you have something to say,

silence is a lie

Jordan B. Peterson

When you are stuck with someone in an abusive relationship, the best advice is to leave that person.

Why should that not apply to a country?

The West has fallen: Time to pack your bags and leave?

The popular german TV personality Harald Schmidt summarized it like that: „Wahlen abschaffen oder Ergebnis vorher festlegen“ (“Abolish elections or determine the outcome in advance”)

My prediction is that we are not far away from what is happening in England, especially as we get closer to the general elections. I think something very bad might actually happen if people don’t wake up to this madness.

Having said that, I think considering becoming geographically independent isn’t a bad move after all.

What drives people to become digital nomads or expats?

I recently joined another Skool community called “Nomad School," where thousands of digital nomads gather and one post was particularly insightful. As you can see, there are over 56 comments.

The West has fallen: Time to pack your bags and leave?

That’s not overly high but it’s enough to draw some conclusions.

FIrst off, I have talked about this before in a previous post called I Asked 30 American Men Why They Would Ditch The US For Life Abroad but this is a different creator and therefore a different perspective

So I asked ChatGPT to analyze all the answers for me and the results were exactly what I expected

A whopping 60 % (!!) of the respondents said it was politics and the toxic environment it has created that pushed them away

Based on the responses in the post, the top three reasons driving people to become digital nomads, along with their approximate importance, are:

  1. Escape from Toxic Environments (60%): Many people are desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere of their home countries—whether it's the EU, UK, or US—where toxic politics, relentless stress, and societal pressures drain their sense of fulfillment. For them, the digital nomad lifestyle offers a path to freedom from a life they can no longer bear.

  2. Desire for Freedom and Independence (30%): The desire to have more control over their time, work-life balance, and overall life choices motivates a sizable number of people. They seek the freedom to work remotely, travel, and live life on their own terms, which is a major attraction of the digital nomad lifestyle.

  3. Love for Travel and Cultural Experiences (10%): The passion for exploring new cultures, traditions, and countries also plays a key role. Many individuals express a love for travel and the enriching experiences it offers, which motivates them to pursue a nomadic lifestyle that allows them to continuously discover new places.

The bottom line is that you are not alone; a ton of people think alike.

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How do you move forward from here?

I could be wrong about this but if you're feeling the weight of what's happening and thinking, "Is there a way out of this madness?"

I say, absolutely.

A growing number of people are realizing that the best way to avoid getting caught up in the chaos is either to really lean in or to walk away from it, because, believe it or not, your immediate environment has a huge impact on you, so pick your fight wisely.

For me, being part of the “group think” like another sheep just isn't who I am.

It’s about taking control of your life and choosing where you want to be, rather than being stuck in a place that’s only going downhill.

That’s why I created the Digital Nomad Mastermind Notion Template—because the world is changing fast, and you need a system that helps you stay ahead of the curve and anchor your mind in what is not only true but also important to you.

Create a vision, a goal and the potential for a better future.

This isn’t just another productivity tool; it’s a blueprint for designing a life that works for you, no matter where you are. Whether you're already on the road or just thinking about taking the leap, this template has got you covered.

Here’s what you’ll get with the template:

  • Daily Focus Planner: Keep track of what truly matters, so you can stay productive and motivated every single day.

  • Goal Setting & Tracking: Set your big goals and break them down into actionable steps, with progress tracking to keep you on course.

  • Finance Management: Manage your budget, track your spending, and ensure that you’re financially stable while living the nomadic life.

  • Habit Tracker: Build and maintain the habits that support your lifestyle, whether it’s fitness, learning, or daily routines.

  • Travel Planning: Plan your travels with ease, from accommodation details to must-see spots, all in one place.

  • Community Connection: Plug into a network of like-minded nomads who are also using the template, share tips and advice, and get support when you need it.

The bottom line? The world is changing, and the smartest move you can make is to adapt and take control of your future. The Digital Nomad Mastermind Notion Template is your first step towards that freedom.

Ready to take charge?

Download it now while it is still free on Gumroad and start building the life you actually want—before someone else decides it for you.

All your news. None of the bias.

Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 3.5 million readers find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight.

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