The Reality of Life as a Digital Nomad

Over the years, with the rise of online communication, a new breed of professionals has emerged: the “digital nomad.” Digital nomads are individuals who embrace a lifestyle of constant travel, exploration, and adventure while maintaining their work through a laptop and an internet connection.

These nomads can work from virtually anywhere in the world, be it a serene beach on an exotic island, a cozy café, or a hotel room halfway across the globe. For many, this lifestyle offers a sense of freedom and creativity that compensates for the lack of stable employment and traditional benefits.

The freedom to travel keeps perspectives fresh, fuels creativity, and offers a unique sense of liberation – something that office-bound employees might only dream of.

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The Challenges of Being a Digital Nomad

Despite its allure, the digital nomad lifestyle is not without its challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting, these hurdles are an inevitable part of the journey:

1. Consistent and Stable Internet Connectivity

As a digital nomad, reliable internet access is crucial. Without it, your work schedule can easily be derailed. While cafes offering WiFi are common, frequenting them can quickly become expensive. Public WiFi and portable devices aren’t always dependable, making it difficult to maintain a steady workflow.

2. Traveling Can Hinder Productivity

Constant travel can be physically and mentally exhausting. The frequent changes in environment can disrupt your focus and make it challenging to maintain a consistent work routine. It’s easy to forget that while you’re exploring new places, work is still a priority.

3. Success Is Not Guaranteed

Many are drawn to the digital nomad lifestyle by stories of those who have found success on the road. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone achieves this. The risks are high, and the path to success is often paved with challenges.

4. The Work-Leisure Balance Blurs

One of the biggest struggles for digital nomads is separating work from leisure. Without the structure of a traditional work environment, it can be difficult to know when to switch off and relax. This often leads to working during what should be downtime, or vice versa.

5. Personal Relationships May Suffer

Being on the move can strain relationships with friends and family. While technology like Skype and Facetime helps, unreliable internet can make it difficult to stay connected. Over time, loved ones may adjust to your absence, which can be a tough reality to accept.

Yet, despite these challenges, many digital nomads find ways to thrive and enjoy the freedom their lifestyle affords.

Digital Nomads to Follow Online

Here are a few digital nomads who embody the essence of this lifestyle. They share their experiences and offer insights into the reality of life on the road:

1. Nomadic Matt (Matthew Kepnes)

Matt, the creator of the travel blog Nomadic Matt, acknowledges the downsides of being a digital nomad. Yet, he has built a successful career helping people travel on a budget.

“When you’re always on the road, it’s hard to establish routines and habits,” Matt explains. “Dating is challenging because you’re never in one place long enough to form a connection, and before you know it, it’s time to move on again!”

Learn more about Matt’s journey here.

2. Niel de la Rouviere

Niel spent two months traveling in Southeast Asia before returning to South Africa, learning valuable lessons about digital nomadism along the way.

He encourages everyone to try the digital nomad lifestyle at least once. As a front-end developer for Buffer, Niel finds joy in coding while sipping a fresh coconut by the beach. Read more here.

3. Legal Nomads (Jodi Ettenberg)

Jodi left her career as a corporate lawyer to focus on her travel site Legal Nomads, and she hasn’t looked back since.

Jodi shares that the biggest challenges are the uncertainty of the future, health concerns, and being away from loved ones during special occasions. She also authored The Food Traveler’s Handbook.

“Walking away from what society considers ‘normal’ isn’t easy,” Jodi admits, “but the flexibility and the life you build on your terms can be incredibly rewarding.” Read more.

4. Travel Fish (Stuart McDonald)

Stuart runs Travel Fish, a travel-planning site focusing on Southeast Asia. He openly discusses the challenges of working without reliable WiFi and the overall lifestyle costs.

“Pursuing this lifestyle often means working more than you would in a cubicle, and usually in less-than-ideal conditions,” Stuart shares. “But when it all gets too much, I hop on my bike and head to the beach.” Read more.

5. Exile Lifestyle (Colin Wright)

Colin, the voice behind Exile Lifestyle, moves to a new country every four months based on votes from his fans. Follow his blog to learn more about his unique nomadic journey.

Colin challenges dreamers to dive deep into their motivations. “You might find that you don’t necessarily want to travel – you want novelty and new experiences. Start achieving those things right where you are.” Read more.

6. Vagabonding (Rolf Potts)

Rolf, the author of Vagabonding and the book Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel, offers insights from his experiences in collaboration with National Geographic Traveler and the New York Times.

“Forcing yourself to slow down and improvise your way through each new day on the road is the best way to break out of the habits of home and embrace the amazing possibilities a journey promises,” advises Rolf. Read Nomadic Matt’s interview with Rolf Potts.

7. Making It Anywhere (Rob Dix & Michelle Slade)

This couple runs Making It Anywhere, where they share stories of digital nomad success, failure, and everything in between. In just two years, they left their mark on 16 cities across three continents.

“Our goals are closely tied to our core values, and in all our quarterly plans, we outline how we will bring those values to life,” says the couple. Read more about how they manage a ‘local business’ from around the world.

Conclusion

Ultimately, if you’re considering leaving the corporate world to become a digital nomad, be prepared for the sacrifices this lifestyle demands. While the challenges are significant, they’re not insurmountable. With patience, resourcefulness, and a strong desire to live on your terms, you can thrive as a digital nomad.

And, of course, a knack for finding a reliable internet connection helps.