What It’s Like to Be a Digital Nomad

More and more people are embracing the digital nomad lifestyle. However, others still don’t know exactly what it entails or whether it might be right for them. People who are interested in exploring the option of becoming a digital nomad should keep reading. Then they can decide if they want to embrace this lifestyle. 

Who’s A Digital Nomad

A digital nomad mostly works entirely online. This frees them up to travel regularly. He/she may live in other countries as long as they have a good internet connection. Many digital nomads work for themselves, doing things like freelance writing, SEO optimization, social media, or graphic design. Some digital nomads work more traditional jobs, but they have the freedom to work online.

They can travel as long as they also fulfill their job responsibilities. Digital nomads may have to adjust their schedule so they are awake for regular business hours in a particular time zone. This is especially if they work for a company located in a one-time zone.

Becoming A Digital Nomad

Anyone can become a digital nomad as long as they have the skills and the clients to support themselves. They can get a job that allows them to move around the world. 

Most digital nomads are independent workers who work for themselves. It can be running small businesses where they don’t have to be physically present to do their jobs. 

Leveraging Skills as Digital Nomad

There are a wide variety of ways that people can leverage their skills to become digital nomads. Even people with basic office experience, for example, can work as virtual assistants.  

These people find clients, communicate with their clients electronically, and get work completed on time. Their work is usually high quality, even though they are living overseas when they do it.

The Digital Nomad Lifestyle and Corporate Jobs

People who already work entirely online may be able to get permission to travel or live overseas and work, too. However, they should approach their company before they take off on a trip. 

It’s never a good idea to start traveling without telling a company or clients. Some companies discourage their employees from taking up remote jobs. Sometimes companies don’t want to work with digital nomads because of past problems or concerns about taxes and legal issues. 

Working As a Digital Nomad

People who work in more traditional roles but work online may be able to negotiate themselves into a digital nomad space. They can come to their company with a plan or proposal. 

They often start small, taking short trips and demonstrating how they continue to do their jobs well. Then, they can take larger trips. Eventually, they may be able to show that they will get their work done well no matter where they are. At this point, they can embrace a true digital nomad lifestyle. 

Why People Choose to Be Digital Nomads

People choose the digital nomad lifestyle for a wide variety of reasons. They may enjoy traveling or want to live overseas for a wide variety of reasons. People who want to see the world may choose to live as digital nomads. 

They can move from place to place, interspersing sightseeing with the work that they do. The lifestyle allows people to travel for longer periods of time than they otherwise might. After all, it permits them to earn a living, so they don’t have to live off savings while they travel. 

Living Life As a Digital Nomad

Many people choose to be digital nomads because they want to know what it is like to live in certain places. They do not want to just sightsee and experience them as tourists. 

Digital nomads often get an apartment in a country. They start working as a remote worker. Then, they get to know the place as a resident rather than as a tourist. This allows them to know locals and local culture in different ways. 

Escaping the Corporate Culture

Other people choose the digital nomad lifestyle because they want to be free from Western corporate culture. They want to make a living doing what they love, not work for the man. These people are almost always small business owners. 

Thereon, they find their own clients and use their skills to help their clients around the world. Sometimes living overseas is cheaper than living at home in many cases. Hence, the digital nomad lifestyle can allow for corporate culture escape on a smaller budget.

Digital Nomad Visas

Individuals who wish to embrace such a lifestyle can obtain digital nomad visas. Living overseas means less hustle and more time to enjoy themselves. However, they will have to factor in the cost of living abroad.

Still, other people choose to be digital nomads because they love living in expat communities. They enjoy like-minded people who travel and choose to live in places other than home. 

Coworking Spaces

People may live as digital nomads and can join coworking spaces to connect with other entrepreneurs. Some digital nomads want to know relatives or family members who live overseas. They may choose the lifestyle because it allows them to live close to these people.

It’s one thing to know someone from abroad, seeing them rarely and not knowing their daily life. It’s another thing to be part of that daily life and see it from the inside out. The key for each person is to understand why they are choosing that lifestyle. 

Difference between Digital Nomads and Remote Workers

A digital nomad can work from anywhere in the world as long as they have the resources they need. They don’t have to be in a specific location to do their job.

A remote worker is someone who works from a different location than their workplace. This could be their home, a shared office, or any other place with internet access. It must be safe and secure. 

Downsides to Being a Digital Nomad

Many people love the digital nomad lifestyle, but others find that it is not to their taste. There are a number of reasons why this might happen. Often, living as a digital nomad can get hectic, especially when things go wrong. 

Other places may advertise as having wifi access. However, it may not be robust enough or reliable enough for what a digital nomad needs. These are only a few of the challenges that some digital nomads face regularly. 

Challenges Faced by Digital Nomads

Some digital nomads find that working hampers the lifestyle they want to live while overseas. They may not be able to sightsee as much as planned. They may face all sorts of problems with sleep, the circadian rhythm, and more. 

It can also make it hard to participate in daytime activities if that’s when the nomad needs to sleep. 

Tips to Become a Digital Nomad

To be a digital nomad, they need a job that lets them work and travel online. Without that, they can’t make a living away from home. Before becoming one, they can take classes to gain the skills they need. Once they learn these skills, it will be easier for them to live the digital nomad lifestyle. 

Digital nomads also need whatever technology is necessary for them to do their jobs. This may include a computer and relevant software, a digital camera, a mobile phone, and more. Each person will need to make a list of everything they need. 

Documents Required

A digital nomad will also need a passport, as well as any other necessary travel documents. These may include visas, electronic travel authorizations (ETAs), etc. It is the responsibility of each person to ensure that they can enter the country that they want to visit. They should check to ensure that their paperwork is in order well before they leave home. 

Embracing Travel and Work Lifestyle

Digital nomads should also have a plan for what they will do when they arrive in a new country. They may choose to book an apartment sight unseen or find a hotel or a hostel for a few nights. This plan ensures that they can do the work they need to do even while they travel. 

Without a plan, they may end up in a place that is unsafe or does not have sufficient wifi access. Speaking of that, all digital nomads will need to make sure they can get online while they are overseas. Otherwise, they will not be able to do the work they have planned to do while visiting.

Working Out the Logistics

Some places have relatively reliable internet, while others may require a mobile hotspot. Digital nomads should research and plan ahead so they don’t face a crisis while traveling.  

They should check if mobile hotspot works in countries they’ll visit. They should also ensure plenty of bandwidth for their needs.

Having A Backup Plan

Finally, digital nomads need to have a backup plan in case things go wrong. They should know what to do if technology doesn’t work, they don’t have internet, or their housing falls through. A plan helps them do their work, no matter what. 

A Day in the Shoes of a Digital Nomad

Many digital nomads make up morning routines for themselves. It is because they don’t have much structure in their lives. They may choose to read, pray, meditate, or do yoga before breakfast. Once they’ve done that, it’s time to start their day. 

Breakfast is always a good idea, especially if it includes coffee. When missing home, they can open a care package or cook food from an international store. Otherwise, they can go out and find food which is also a cultural experience. 

Mastering Life As a Digital Nomad

They could go to a cafe with good wifi and stay all morning or get breakfast from a street vendor. Either way, the search for a good internet connection usually comes next. Digital nomads often look online for reviews that mention wifi, ask other expats, or carry a hotspot with them. No matter how they get online, though, they will need a place to sit for at least a few hours. After all, there is work to be done no matter where in the world they are living. 

Some digital nomads even choose to work from airports for reliable wifi. After all, they still need to connect with clients, whether by email, Slack, or Zoom and complete their assignments. They may even need to attend meetings or conferences. 

Living the Dream

Most digital nomads find, through trial and error, when their energy is best for work. If they have complete charge over their schedules, they will work these hours so they can focus. When they finish their tasks for the day, they log out and plan their next steps. 

They may attend an expat mixer, meet up with friends, or try out a new club. If they are tired or have a long day, they can go home and veg out or sleep. But if they want to, there’s a city waiting to be explored!

Conclusion

To summarize, this lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but many people thrive as digital nomads. It can take some planning and strategizing to make it possible, though. People want to be digital nomads; they must figure out how to prepare themselves for it. If it is right for them, they can live and work anywhere.