chiang mai Archives - The Millionaire Hippie

[Ep 83] Find Your Community To Create Your Safe Space

Post published:October 15, 2018
Reading time:2 mins read

In this episode, I’ll be speaking about the importance of community. Having a community of people doing similar things to you is crucial in winning the game. Life can be lonely, even despite a slew of people around us who love and support us. They might support us, but they won't truly understand the trials and tribulations we are going through. We all need people to support us, believe in us and hold our hand and guide us when the time comes, and there is no shame in needing people. Podcast Content The importance of finding your community Why having a community will help you in life? How to find your community? What community should you be a part of? Whether you are starting a new business, a new sport, moving to a new country or just simply going traveling, it can be lonely at times. It is useful to have people who are on a similar path as you. Before I…

[Ep 80] I’m Obsessed With Flow States And Here’s Why

Post published:October 4, 2018
Reading time:2 mins read

In this episode, I’ll be talking to you about flow states. What are Flow states and how are they important to human beings who want to live fulfilling lives? If you don’t already know, a Flow state is that feeling you get when you are in alignment with the universe and everything in your life feels perfect and life is going just the way you want it. At this moment, life couldn’t be any better even if you tried. Everything, life, relationships, work, they all feel effortless and life feels like it will pass you by so quickly. Podcast Content What is Flow state? How to improve your Flow state A Flow state can enhance your life How I changed my life and achieve my Flow state Find what makes you happy in life and do it! If you are unhappy in your life or in a situation where you are not happy, be it a job you don’t like or a…

Where And How Do You Bloom? What Makes You Bloom?

Post published:December 25, 2017
Reading time:12 mins read

Until, I moved to Chiang Mai, and started living with my kinfolk, I used to think I am insane. I used to think that I was an alien. That no one on this planet was like me, and that I was going to go crazy before the end of my life, if I ever got there. I believed I was an alien that was planted here, for some weird experiment. I didn’t understand the point of me, my existence, my life.

I lived, because I had to live. My parents wanted me to live, my friends wanted me to live, and this world wanted me to live. In fact, I kept on believing that there was some reason for my existence. I had to believe that, because if I didn’t, I would have really gone insane, or I would have killed myself a long time ago.

I am not saying, I am special in anyway. There are many people on this planet who feel exactly the same way. They feel out of place, and therefore, they think that they don’t belong. They might be born in Texas, but might believe in the pro-life denominations. Or they might be born in Israel, and have Moslem tendencies. These are just random examples, but you know what I mean. (more…)

[Ep 62] Why Do Digital Nomads Love Chiang Mai?

Post published:June 30, 2017
Reading time:3 mins read

In this episode, I’ll be chatting why I think Chiang Mai attracts digital nomads to come over in droves.

I have been chatting with a lot of people about why they like Chiang Mai. Thus, the podcast, so I could put into words why I love Chiang Mai so much.

[bctt tweet=”I came into Chiang Mai thinking I will be able to get a lot of work done.” username=”BoomShikha”]

In reality, I got only a teeny bit of work done. But, I have met oodles of awesome, awe-inspiring, intelligent, conscious, and entrepreneurial people who have become my friends for life.

They are people who are constantly changing my mindset, who are helping me become a more complete human being, who believe in me and in my potential, and are my guardian angels and advocates in general.

These are people I met only a few months ago and already I know they are going to be with me forever.

This really made me ask why Chiang Mai brings all these amazing people together to form this awesome community within the bounds of this magical country. (more…)

[Ep 41] My Move To Digital Nomading And Chiang Mai

Post published:January 30, 2017
Reading time:2 mins read

In this episode, I’ll be chatting about my lifestyle and why I moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I was living in Toronto, Canada, for many years. Even though I loved this city, especially during summer time, I was feeling somehow out of place.

I was building my own business and wanting to expand, giving it a chance to grow properly and prosperously.

Moving to Chiang Mai has been the best decision I could make, from a professional point of view, as well as personal.

The DN (Digital Nomad) community here is fantastic. It is very easy to meet and connect with like-minded people.

The food is delicious and cheap, Thai people are as helpful as they are kind, and the city itself provides a great infrastructure for location independent individuals and an idealistic lifestyle. (more…)

Why Am I So Attracted To Thai Culture?

Post published:December 19, 2016
Reading time:7 mins read

Thai Culture Pulls Me In

I have been thinking about this question for a while now. I don’t want to be stereotypical about it and say it’s because they are nice, and smile all the time. But a lot of it really comes down to their nature. They are some of the kindest, most generous, most patient, hard-working I have ever met. Every single day, I am walking down the streets of Chiang Mai, and I notice all of the awesome qualities embodied by Thai people. It isn’t just one or two people, but literally everyone who is like that. Very few exceptions really.

Instead of talking about them, I want this post to be more about examples. Real life examples that I have encountered that really showcase Thai nature and culture.

The Accident

This story is meant to indicate the patience and community that is really apparent here.

I was sitting at one of my favourite street food stalls near Loi Kroh road. The lady who runs the stall is highly communicative, and warm. She speaks and understands a lot of English considering she probably learned all of it in passing from foreigners who frequent her food stall. She also is highly generous in her portions and makes delicious pork noodle soup. It is absolutely brimming to the top of the bowl with green veggies, sprouts, delicious broth, and lots of pork. Only for 40 baht. Such a deal. (more…)

6 Things They Didn’t Tell Me About Moving To Chiang Mai

Post published:December 14, 2016
Reading time:6 mins read

Chiang Mai Living Expounded

I love the digital nomad lifestyle. I really do. But I have to say, you never really know what living in a country will be like, until you actually move there. You can read a ton of blog posts, or watch a hundred videos; but until you live in a country for at least a month or two, you won’t know the real deal.

This is where I come in. I’m trying to show you the real picture of Chiang Mai living.

Everyone loves it here, and raves about it day in and day out. I love Chiang Mai too, but I can be a little objective about it. Like every other country in the world, it has its ups and downs. It has its pros and cons. Yin and Yang. You get the picture.

There are six main things I’ll focus on in this post. Maybe more stuff will come as I’m here longer, but for now, here are the top six things no one tells you about moving to Chiang Mai. Booya!

The Air Quality Sucks

I’m one of the lucky ones in Chiang Mai (CM). I don’t have asthma, or any brochial or respiratory problems. I’m also really fit, from years of yoga, and running. So I don’t actually notice the air quality much. I do notice a layer of grime on my body when I go home after a long day outside. The air quality bothers people and it should. That’s a lot of exhaust a lot of us are inhaling on a regular basis.

Does this mean, I’m telling people not to visit CM, because of freaking air quality? Not at all. (more…)

5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Be A Digital Nomad (It’s Not All Roses)

Post published:November 17, 2016
Reading time:8 mins read

Whenever I see posts on becoming a digital nomad, they are all about the glories of it. I have to say, I absolutely love owning my own online business, and working from anywhere in the world. It is glorious. As glorious as can be.

Not All Roses

But I want to warn people that it is definitely not all a bed of roses, and I would warn you that if you are planning to take this task on, that you should be really careful of the pitfalls of being a digital nomad. I don’t even say this as a tongue-in-cheek thing.

I really believe these five reasons are important to keep in mind when you first plan to start on your own glorious journey as a digital nomad. It’s about seeing both sides of the coin as much as possible. Nothing is all good or all bad. Let’s be Zen-like about it, and tell the world what the true story is all about. That’s what I want to do for you – pull back the curtains so you can see what it’s all really like.

You Will Miss Your Family Like Crazy

Thank the Lord for Facetime and Skype, because without it, I would miss my family back home like insanity. Spending a few minutes every few days talking to them face-to-face really does help. If you are not close to your family, then this won’t be an issue for you. But I am extremely close to my family. I love my sister and brother like crazy and I miss giving them a hug or even just being close to their smiles. I miss my mother’s home-cooked meals, and I miss my Dad’s sense of humour. (more…)

3 Reasons I Have Decided To Move To Chiang Mai For Six Months

Post published:September 1, 2016
Reading time:5 mins read

A few weeks ago, I decided that I will move to Chiang Mai for six months to work on my online business. The decision actually came as a surprise not only to myself, but all of the people around me. I have been happily plugging away on my business in Toronto in my little oasis of a condo downtown. I love Toronto, and I love the life I have here.

Three Reasons I Decided To Move To Chiang Mai

Here are the three reasons I decided to move to Chiang Mai – why I decided to adopt briefly the lifestyle of a digital nomad. I have always been a nomad at heart, but I never really bought the digital aspect into it until now. I’m so excited to see how it goes.

I Want To Be Surrounded By Entrepreneurs

I am not running away from anything.

But I desperately want to be around other entrepreneurs who think like me and want the same things in life as I do.

In Toronto I’m surrounded by 9-5ers who are all really nice people, but don’t really think like an entrepreneur does. They don’t have any useful feedback to provide into my business.

They are all chatting about TV shows they’ve watched, politics, their children’s accomplishments, or renovations they are doing on their home. (more…)