Becoming a digital nomad
After all your work this year, have you traveled as much as you wanted?
If you’re like me and you felt like you haven’t, don’t worry, you’re not the only one feeling FOMO. Unless you inherit a lot of money from a secret rich aunt, it’s hard to afford the trips you dream about. You have to do something to make a living. The real question is, can we mix work and living the life we’ve dreamed about on a budget? The short answer is: yes, we can 💪
Both full time in-office and hybrid workplaces require you to be in the office all week, has an inflexible schedule, and demolishes your wishes of traveling more than a week per year.
With traditional work, traveling as much as you want is impossible. That is precisely where digital nomads come into play because being a digital nomad allows you to fulfill your career goals while you travel the world and enjoy your life.
What is a digital nomad?
Before discussing becoming a digital nomad, it's essential to grasp the concept. Digital nomads use technology to work remotely while traveling, often in fields like IT, design, marketing, and writing. They not only work from any vacation destination, but they can also work in different places all the time. They leverage the flexibility of remote work to explore new places, enjoying the freedom to live and work wherever they choose.
These individuals take advantage of remote work, and with their flexible schedules, they choose to know new places, cultures, and people. The number of places they visit depends on their budget and travel preferences. Their jobs do not limit them; they can do what they prefer in their free time.
Remote work is shaping the future; in this new world and new normal, more people are opting for remote work instead of working their in-office jobs.
This is what Forbes says about digital nomads:
“You won’t be surprised to learn that the pandemic has played a significant role in the shift towards remote work. Almost three-quarters of digital nomad respondents (74.5%) stated that their decision to go remote was influenced directly by the pandemic. This finding matched my expectations and helped convince me that the rest of the survey was valid.
A more surprising finding for me was that the survey also found that 90% and 86.8% of respondents expressed interest in becoming a remote worker and a digital nomad respectively. The cost of living helps explain this rise, with 78.3% of Americans considering or committing to working remotely citing this issue as a reason.”
How to become a digital nomad
You need to work remotely
Before this, you must find your purpose and decide which sector you want to work in; you need to know if you should leave or keep your current job.
To live as a digital nomad, you need a flexible career. Here are three main ways to make it work:
Freelancing: Get paid per project, offering the flexibility ideal for travel. There are many ways to position yourself – as an individual contractor, an agency, a fractional advisor, or consultant.
Owning a Business: This is primarily a digital business that can be managed remotely.
Remote Employment: Work for online companies, allowing you to work from anywhere. Before accepting a job offer, make sure that you know where you’re getting into.
You can start a business with low-cost digital products or leverage existing skills, like teaching English. Alternatively, learn new skills such as marketing or programming and seek remote jobs in those fields.
You need to have the proper equipment to do it
Make sure you have the proper laptop, mouse, backpack, internet connection, phone, and headset to work from wherever you choose and thrive. You need to ensure nothing comes between you and your productivity, minimize interruptions, and help you accomplish all the tasks, whether you’re working on your project or someone else’s project.
Here’s a list of products that you might need.
Manage your finances
Create a budget that accounts for travel and work-related expenses. I don’t recommend spending more than you can afford; the point of becoming a digital nomad is to have more freedom, not to get more in debt. Remember to include costs like accommodation, transportation, food, insurance, and any necessary equipment or software in your budget.
Book your travel wisely
Choose destinations with reliable internet and suitable workspaces. Opt for longer stays to secure better rates and minimize disruptions to your workflow caused by frequent relocations. Consider time zones, local regulations, and potential visa requirements to work smoothly. This will maintain productivity while enjoying the flexibility of a digital nomad lifestyle.
Common professions for digital nomads
Suppose you want to become a digital nomad but are not interested in entrepreneurship. In that case, you can consider some of these professions in high demand in companies worldwide.
Programmers
Video editors
Copywriters
Virtual assistants
Translator
Graphic designer
Social media manager
Community Manager
Online teachers
Coaches
Web development
Branding
Where to go
These are some popular destinations among digital nomads that you can consider:
Bali, Indonesia - Known for its coworking places, affordable prices, and vibrant communities.
Lisboa, Portugal - This place offers delicious food, excellent connectivity, nice weather, and a rich culture.
Medellín, Colombia - This innovative city has a growing digital infrastructure and lovely weather all year.
Pros and cons about becoming a digital nomad
Cons
You have to always rely on your internet, which is accessible in this era but also tricky because there are issues that can present and are out of your control.
Adapt to changes, new cultures, and jetlag.
You have to keep up with your work; if you get too immersed in the place you are visiting, you might miss your daily work tasks.
Avoiding burnout because it’s hard to stop working when you don’t have an explicit schedule.
Different time zones can be challenging; if you’re traveling and have to attend meetings, you might get exhausted connecting to them at 2 AM.
Pros
You can become the professional you always wanted to be without sacrificing your adventure dreams.
You can go on vacation for a long time without worrying about returning to work.
You have more free time because you stop wasting those hours you spend going to work and returning to your home.
You can move wherever you want, whenever you want, without asking for permission from any superior.
You can spend more time with your family, manage your schedule, and have multiple jobs according to your capacity.
Workcation vs. Digital Nomads
People often confuse a workcation with being a digital nomad, but they cater to different lifestyles.
Workcation: A workation is like a mini-vacation where you still get your work done. You head to a new spot for a few days or weeks, enjoying the change of scenery while sticking to your regular work schedule. It's a great way to break the monotony without taking time off.
Digital Nomads: Digital nomads take it to the next level, constantly traveling while working remotely. They don’t have a permanent home base and move around frequently, blending work and travel into a seamless lifestyle. It's a more permanent, adventurous way to live and work.
Advice for digital nomads
Make sure you have reliable internet wherever you go; it's essential for work.
Establish a daily routine to maintain productivity and work-life balance.
Connect with other digital nomads in your destination for valuable insights and networking.
Decide whether to visit more countries briefly or stay longer in one place to immerse in the culture.
Define your basic requirements for each location and plan your itineraries accordingly.
Be prepared for changing travel conditions, especially post-pandemic.
Consider different housing options, including volunteering or co-living arrangements.
Consider the time difference when working with clients in other regions.
Get international health insurance for peace of mind during your travels.
Learn about workcations before you decide what to do with your life.
