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My Exile Lifestyle
Two Years Later
It was two years ago that I started transforming my life from a fast-paced pursuit of the American Dream into something a little bit different, less comfortable and more risky.
In that time I’ve written a great deal about the logistics of long-term travel, serial-entrepreneurship, branding and the philosophies that have helped me achieve a degree of success in my pursuit of a life less ordinary, but I’ve hesitated to focus overmuch on the personal details that go with the stories I tell and the advice that I give. There are morals to the stories that I tell, but they are usually just one of many lessons that I take away from a given success, failure, or scrape with the unfamiliar.
As I’m about to leave Iceland — the fourth country I’ve lived in since selling or giving away everything I owned in Los Angeles and uprooting my life for a location independent lifestyle — it seems like the perfect time to share some of the other stories I’ve been collecting; the ones that I’ve kept to myself as personal reminders, life lessons, or special moments to recall when things are looking bleak.
Inside My Exile Lifestyle are stories about the downside of living a ‘rockstar lifestyle’ on the road, the difficulties of mini-relationships while traveling, and the last-minute opportunity that nearly derailed the project by offering me everything I had been aspiring to previously.
It’s an understatement to say that I’m incredibly uncomfortable sharing some of the details revealed in this book, but the experience has been a valuable one. Opening up in this way has given me the opportunity to review my choices and my lifestyle and granted me new insight into why I do what I do, and how I will operate in the future.
This is a document of my continued personal development, and I’m hoping that you’ll find insight, entertainment and encouragement in seeing my adventures and lifestyle from a different perspective than I’ve shown before.
It was two years ago that I started transforming my life from a fast-paced pursuit of the American Dream into something a little bit different, less comfortable and more risky.
In that time I’ve written a great deal about the logistics of long-term travel, serial-entrepreneurship, branding and the philosophies that have helped me achieve a degree of success in my pursuit of a life less ordinary, but I’ve hesitated to focus overmuch on the personal details that go with the stories I tell and the advice that I give. There are morals to the stories that I tell, but they are usually just one of many lessons that I take away from a given success, failure, or scrape with the unfamiliar.
As I’m about to leave Iceland — the fourth country I’ve lived in since selling or giving away everything I owned in Los Angeles and uprooting my life for a location independent lifestyle — it seems like the perfect time to share some of the other stories I’ve been collecting; the ones that I’ve kept to myself as personal reminders, life lessons, or special moments to recall when things are looking bleak.
Inside My Exile Lifestyle are stories about the downside of living a ‘rockstar lifestyle’ on the road, the difficulties of mini-relationships while traveling, and the last-minute opportunity that nearly derailed the project by offering me everything I had been aspiring to previously.
It’s an understatement to say that I’m incredibly uncomfortable sharing some of the details revealed in this book, but the experience has been a valuable one. Opening up in this way has given me the opportunity to review my choices and my lifestyle and granted me new insight into why I do what I do, and how I will operate in the future.
This is a document of my continued personal development, and I’m hoping that you’ll find insight, entertainment and encouragement in seeing my adventures and lifestyle from a different perspective than I’ve shown before.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
36 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 9, 2018
Colin Wright has the perfect life on paper. Or at least that's what I thought until I read this. He travels the world, moves to a new country every few months, and is free to do whatever he wants. What a pity then that his travel memoir My Exile Lifestyle is such a crushing disappointment. A shallow book about a shallow man who travels the world getting into shallow encounters with shallow people — mostly shallow sex with clueless groupies and shallow drug use with clueless hipsters — in places that you don't get any real sense of as the author is more interested in telling you at great length just how awesome he is.
January 4, 2019
I highly recommend his podcast "Let's Know Things" but I couldn't make it through this.
September 12, 2012
I actually liked this book. It's not really a guide book that tells us how to live like a nomad, it's more of a collection of personal essays, but I still learned a lot.
July 9, 2011
At times I really enjoyed this this haphazard attempt at a memoir cum travel journal that is in reality a haphazard collection of blog posts, notes, brief observations, diary entries and other shallow reminiscing.
There is plenty of promise and no doubt Colin is leading a life that is of interest. However I was constantly left wanting more than his snippets of stories that hook you in and leave you left hanging, wanting to know more.
Efforts to proceed in a linear manner are are largely ignored. Not for something more stylish, but for ease of writing and a lack of editing.
Colin promises "...stories about the downside of living a ‘rockstar lifestyle’ on the road, the difficulties of mini-relationships while traveling..." and its true that he touches on them, but there is little depth to the discussions, you just get sucked into the story and its suddenly case closed, no more to see.
His caveat "It’s an understatement to say that I’m incredibly uncomfortable sharing some of the details revealed in this book..." should be a bold warning, there is little depth and deep discussion with the reader.
I wanted to give this another star at least, however I was just so frustrated by the inability to tell the whole story and got tired reading between the lines. I also at times wanted to give two, again for the frustration, the lazy story telling and the fact it could be so much more.
There is plenty of promise and no doubt Colin is leading a life that is of interest. However I was constantly left wanting more than his snippets of stories that hook you in and leave you left hanging, wanting to know more.
Efforts to proceed in a linear manner are are largely ignored. Not for something more stylish, but for ease of writing and a lack of editing.
Colin promises "...stories about the downside of living a ‘rockstar lifestyle’ on the road, the difficulties of mini-relationships while traveling..." and its true that he touches on them, but there is little depth to the discussions, you just get sucked into the story and its suddenly case closed, no more to see.
His caveat "It’s an understatement to say that I’m incredibly uncomfortable sharing some of the details revealed in this book..." should be a bold warning, there is little depth and deep discussion with the reader.
I wanted to give this another star at least, however I was just so frustrated by the inability to tell the whole story and got tired reading between the lines. I also at times wanted to give two, again for the frustration, the lazy story telling and the fact it could be so much more.
September 21, 2011
I'm putting this in "read" because it doesn't belong in to-read or currently-reading.
Colin is a smart kid who is excited about some ideas that I think are exciting. But he sucks at writing. I did not finish his book.
Colin is a smart kid who is excited about some ideas that I think are exciting. But he sucks at writing. I did not finish his book.
June 7, 2015
Don't let the title and description fool you. The book contains very little discussion on long term travel, serial entrepreneurship or minimalism. It's a collection of (very) short stories, frequently without continuity, of Colin partying and chasing women over four continents. Calling the book My International Playboy Lifestyle would be more honest. The tone is pretentious with the author being thoroughly persuaded about his awesomeness and all attempts at in-depth meditations shallow, despite the comments on "going philosophical". The book contains gems such as How-I-couldn't-sleep-out-my-hangover-because-of-a-windstorm-in-Iceland or How-I-forgot-a-condom-and-couldn't-nail-the-petite-Asian-looking-Argentinian-chick-in-Buenos-Aires (Second "date" with apparently no conversations due to the language barrier, and that's after telling us he's more of a Dagny Taggart than Marilyn Monroe type. Ayn Rand is turning in her grave).
The book's saving grace is the author's lively writing, that can't be denied, hence the two stars. In about ten years, when he grows up and drops the self-important tone, he might write a decent book. As for My Exile Lifestyle, save your money. It's only three dollars, but three wasted dollars, nonetheless.
The book's saving grace is the author's lively writing, that can't be denied, hence the two stars. In about ten years, when he grows up and drops the self-important tone, he might write a decent book. As for My Exile Lifestyle, save your money. It's only three dollars, but three wasted dollars, nonetheless.
June 22, 2016
As I looked through the reviews they seemed to be either 2 stars (he sucks, is egotistical, etc.) or 5 stars (inspiring, wow, cool). I agree mostly with the 5 star people. I think with a bit more effort at a coherent journey this could be 5 stars. But, it's definitely at least 4 stars, for some simple reasons.
This collection of short stories is in a way, a peek inside Colin's life. He does not have stability in it, in any way that most of us are used to. Because of that sometimes impressions float around in jagged pieces - sometimes large, sometimes small, but often interesting, and for the more reflective, a chance for us to gauge his lifestyle against ours - not in the "who is better" binary narrative - but in the "okay, so there are people who do this and this is a peek under tho hood" way.
Take a read. You'll learn a few things, and if nothing else, you'll be challenged on the way you live and think. And that's never bad.
This collection of short stories is in a way, a peek inside Colin's life. He does not have stability in it, in any way that most of us are used to. Because of that sometimes impressions float around in jagged pieces - sometimes large, sometimes small, but often interesting, and for the more reflective, a chance for us to gauge his lifestyle against ours - not in the "who is better" binary narrative - but in the "okay, so there are people who do this and this is a peek under tho hood" way.
Take a read. You'll learn a few things, and if nothing else, you'll be challenged on the way you live and think. And that's never bad.
July 6, 2012
A journal where I was hoping for an instructional based on experience. That's fine but then there's the bad editing. I don't mean to undermine his lifestyle. That kicks butt and I want that!
November 16, 2019
I enjoy Colin's blog, podcast and later books a lot but I have to say I am disappointed with this one. It seems like at the time he was not properly internalizing all the valuable experiences and perspectives his lifestyle grants him. It feels a bit shallow. I enjoyed his other travel memoirs Iceland, India, Interstate and Come Back Frayed which felt like written by a much more mature person even though there are not many years between the books. You can also clearly see how his writing improved over the years. This book was messy and all over the place. For anyone whose first exposure to Colin is this book, I recommend reading later works and following his podcast. He is actually an incredible thinker and writer.
April 5, 2018
As someone who has travel-oriented goals Colin's philosophy on travel and his lifestyle strike a cord with me. Adapting his lifestyle sounds like a dream for many who don't understand or fully comprehend the inevitable trade-offs that comes along with it. Although he was somewhat vague I think he did a fair job on illustrating his advice and reality of travel through his personal experiences. You do have to keep in mind that it's a short memoir about his lifestyle - it is not a guide. Overall, it was a fun, light and interesting read. That being said, I did find myself disagreeing with a couple of points he made.
July 29, 2018
I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in digital nomads and related topics like lifestyle design and travel. The book is less a linear autobiography than a series of autobiographical episodes interspersed with travel anecdotes and more reflective essays about relationships and work. Through his radical example, Colin showcases the cool possibilities that exist for a young, independent creative in our current world. I found the writing could be a bit overwrought at times, but overall the book was engaging, thoughtful, and inspiring.
September 16, 2025
This book was a mild disappointment, but it's probably my fault. The author did what he advertised - described his lifestyle after he sold his belongings and set off to live all around the world, moving every 4 months. A good portion of the book is about his partying, relationships with women, and sexual exploits. Another chunk is about his career development as a graphic designer and how it morphed into blogging, writing and speaking about his travels. There's a little bit about cultural and lifestyle differences, but I was hoping for more of that.
October 14, 2019
If you take this book for what it is; it is not a travel guide or how-to. It is a glimpse into the perspective of someone who has encountered the quagmire of what to do with their life and where to derive their happiness/idea of success. Colin takes the path less travelled and allows us to share in the experience through a myriad of different writing forms. The prose come across genuine and thoughts feel authentic.
May 17, 2021
Each section is a well thought out essay that does a good job of staying on point. Good ideas and philosophy. He examines many aspects of our modern societal standards, making the reader think. Together it's a little disconnected.
August 1, 2018
Very boring and shallow. I chalk this up to his age when written. I expected more because his current writings, podcasts are much more interesting.
June 12, 2018
I’ve learned about Colin Wright through The Minimalists and decided to read his book. The idea of moving to a different country every four months sounded exciting and I was keen to find out how this experience shaped the author.
I wanted to like this book. I finished it, despite complaining to my friends on more than one occasion about how shallow the author is. When asked why I keep reading it, I said that every once in a while, he comes up with an interesting thought. But sadly, after finishing it, I can’t remember anything worth noting, I only recall countless stories about the author’s sex life. Then again, what did I expect picking up a book with a naked man on its cover, hiding his genitals under a laptop? I guess it’s one of those cases when you should really judge the book by its cover.
Spoilers (not really; again, look at the cover and it will give you a pretty good idea where Colin Wright thinks his main strength lays): the author spends majority of his time in different countries trying to find a date/get laid. He constantly makes off the cuff remarks about being handsome in the form of humblebrags about how yet another girl threw him a flirtatious look. In general, I find his way of talking about women dismissive, even sexist. Women are forever merely attractive accessories to his exotic adventures; his ex-girlfriend’s role in the story is basically reduced to being part of a threesome (with another woman, of course! Heavens forbid it would be a man—Colin Wright very quickly reassures us he’s not gay) and the only thoughts spurred by meeting a transgender woman in Thailand are: “she’s very convincing!” and “would I be able to sleep with her?” Don’t waste your time.
I wanted to like this book. I finished it, despite complaining to my friends on more than one occasion about how shallow the author is. When asked why I keep reading it, I said that every once in a while, he comes up with an interesting thought. But sadly, after finishing it, I can’t remember anything worth noting, I only recall countless stories about the author’s sex life. Then again, what did I expect picking up a book with a naked man on its cover, hiding his genitals under a laptop? I guess it’s one of those cases when you should really judge the book by its cover.
Spoilers (not really; again, look at the cover and it will give you a pretty good idea where Colin Wright thinks his main strength lays): the author spends majority of his time in different countries trying to find a date/get laid. He constantly makes off the cuff remarks about being handsome in the form of humblebrags about how yet another girl threw him a flirtatious look. In general, I find his way of talking about women dismissive, even sexist. Women are forever merely attractive accessories to his exotic adventures; his ex-girlfriend’s role in the story is basically reduced to being part of a threesome (with another woman, of course! Heavens forbid it would be a man—Colin Wright very quickly reassures us he’s not gay) and the only thoughts spurred by meeting a transgender woman in Thailand are: “she’s very convincing!” and “would I be able to sleep with her?” Don’t waste your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2025
I read some personal accounts of transitioning to a digital nomad life and “how I left everything and went to see the world”.
The themes are all similar: how most people’s routine is intolerable, how to break it and transition to passive income or digital nomad work, and some particular episodes of the author’s experience.
It’s not that I don’t like these themes, but most of these books think they are groundbreaking and say something incredibly revolutionary when they all tell the same. Their authors always go to the same places for the same experiences. And it’s mostly the tone of allegedly being a discoverer of something when the reality being told is far from it that annoys me a little.
Well, this is a nice enough book, in this line, yet a clear example of all the above.
The themes are all similar: how most people’s routine is intolerable, how to break it and transition to passive income or digital nomad work, and some particular episodes of the author’s experience.
It’s not that I don’t like these themes, but most of these books think they are groundbreaking and say something incredibly revolutionary when they all tell the same. Their authors always go to the same places for the same experiences. And it’s mostly the tone of allegedly being a discoverer of something when the reality being told is far from it that annoys me a little.
Well, this is a nice enough book, in this line, yet a clear example of all the above.
April 15, 2018
Interesting Read!
I enjoyed this book. It made me understand the difference between a tourist and a traveler. So many places in this world I have visited. It’s time to return as a traveler and see my old friends again for the very first time.
I will recommend this book to my friends.
I enjoyed this book. It made me understand the difference between a tourist and a traveler. So many places in this world I have visited. It’s time to return as a traveler and see my old friends again for the very first time.
I will recommend this book to my friends.
August 19, 2014
Colin's story is one of the most inspiring things I've come across in recent years. I just want to share his experience as much as I can: I feel compelled to let people around me know about him and his experience/experiment!
May 27, 2013
Writing style shows a certain naivety in Colin. Not a bad thing in itself but I did not make it through to the end of the book. I feel disappointed that he wasn't able to keep me engaged for the whole journey ... his ideas and way if life are interesting.
January 9, 2014
I'm giving this book 2 stars because:
1. The author is so damn cute
2. I like his style of living
But I don't like his style of writing so much...
Ok, maybe I will give another star for the effort.
I'm sure that with more practice, he'll eventually nail it
1. The author is so damn cute
2. I like his style of living
But I don't like his style of writing so much...
Ok, maybe I will give another star for the effort.
I'm sure that with more practice, he'll eventually nail it
Read
June 14, 2015I tried to finish it. Nope.
September 10, 2013
Precious!
January 1, 2025
He is a young, attractive, male minimalist so I was all heart eyes emoji, but his personality is so egotistical and off-putting that I couldn't deal.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews