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Is The Digital Nomad life right for YOU? The pros and cons

The digital nomad life sounds like the ultimate dream, travelling freely and traversing the globe, waking up to hear a sea breeze, logging on from a cabin in the mountains, checking emails from the beach, the freedom to choose to be wherever your dreams take you. But the digital nomad life is not without its challenges...

Is The Digital Nomad life right for YOU?

The digital nomad life sounds like the ultimate dream, travelling freely and traversing the globe, waking up to hear a sea breeze, logging on from a cabin in the mountains, checking emails from the beach, the freedom to choose to be wherever your dreams take you.

But the digital nomad life is not without its challenges. While the allure of working from a beachside cafe or a bustling foreign city is undeniable, there are also significant considerations that come with this free way of living. From finding reliable internet to managing loneliness and securing healthcare, the digital nomad journey is filled with both incredible highs and potential pitfalls.

So here we have come up with the ultimate pros and cons list to the digital nomad life, to help you make an informed decision. Is it the dream – or the disaster – for you?

Pros

  • FREEDOM: Of course, the absolute main pro to the digital nomad life is that you can travel, wherever and whenever you want! The freedom to move about, unrestricted by work and an office - pure freedom.

  • Flexibility: You can adjust your work schedule however you wish. Maybe you like to take yoga classes on the beach in the morning, or you want your afternoons free to surf. Whatever it is, you can adapt your work schedule to make the most of your life and opportunities.

  • Choosing the weather: Don’t like winter? You can avoid it! If you’re a sun chaser, why spend 6 months of the year in the cold when you can just hop across to the other hemisphere and enjoy a yearlong summer! Being a digital nomad allows you the freedom to choose to be in whatever climate you desire.

  • Making the most of every minute: The digital nomad lifestyle enables you to make the most of your time. Long commutes and office hours can limit your free time. By freelancing and setting your own work schedule, you can prioritise both your work and your life. Those previous hours you spent sat on the train are now hours for tanning!

  • Growth: Travelling around the globe on your own ultimately forces you to grow and learn as a human. Nothing promotes personal growth like navigating new situations and challenges on your own in a foreign land. You will gain new perspectives on life, new problem-solving skills, and a new level of adaptability.

  • Constant learning: The digital nomad life comes with a whole range of learning opportunities: learning a new vocation, learning to cook a new cuisine, learning a new language, learning to navigate life’s challenges alone, learning to dive… the possibilities are limitless!

  • Networking: Wherever you travel, you’re always going to be meeting new people – from other digital nomads to holiday makers to the town’s locals. The number of interesting souls you will meet is endless. Each new country, city, mountain and beach brings with it a new bunch of people to meet. Some will become travel partners, some will become lifelong friends, and some you might even end up working with!

  • Experiences: The list of new experiences that you will have as a digital nomad is as endless as the list of new people you will meet along the journey. A local pilgrimage, a skydive, swimming with turtles, sleeping in caves (when a working Wi-Fi connection isn’t needed, ofc!). Life is totally yours to go grab!

  • Lower cost of living: A lot of countries that people travel to can be cheaper than their home country. Rent can be cheaper, groceries can be cheaper, a sim card with data can be cheaper, and a western based salary can really go a long way compared to at home. This allows you to have more disposable cash for experiences and leisure activities. This does of course depend on where you travel, and some countries such as Singapore and the USA can also have far higher costs of living.

And so, while there are many amazing perks to living this life… nothing in this wide world comes without its drawbacks. Some of these affect some people more than others – for example, some people thrive in the world of uncertainty and adventure! But for some, this kind of lifestyle can promote an unsettledness, and even anxiety. Read on to find out the potential pitfalls of this lifestyle…

Cons

  • Lack of stability: Life on the road might not be for everyone. No real home, freelance work can be unpredictable, and you might not know where you will be from one month to the next. Your income can fluctuate from month to month, accommodation might not live up to your needs, and currency conversion rates can change.

  • Missing home: You might get homesick - most people do. Leaving behind family, friends, even partners can be tough. You’ll miss milestones of relatives, friends’ weddings, birthdays, events, your hometown, your mums cooking. However, this is a natural part of leaving behind and starting anew.

  • Loneliness: The digital nomad life can be lonely! While you will constantly be meeting people, you’ll also constantly be leaving people. It’s challenging to form lasting relationships when you are constantly moving from one place to another, and you will also lack the relationships with colleagues that traditional jobs give. You can end up feeling isolated, and it requires active effort to manage through community engagement and staying connected with loved ones.

  • Meeting deadlines: Managing your work alongside your life as a freelancer is difficult - it requires some serious discipline. You need to make sure that the required work is done in the required timeframe, and some lack the self-control to make this happen. Would you be tempted by that snorkelling trip with the guys from your hostel, even though you have a deadline due?

  • Internet issues: This is such a big one! You need a good strong internet connection, especially if your job requires meetings or video calls. You will probably at many points along your journey find yourself in countries, towns, and mountains that lack the speed of connection that you require. This can cause issues, especially if you are an employee of a company, and can lead to you not fulfilling your duties as needed.

  • Healthcare abroad: Healthcare can also be an issue while on the go around the globe. Insurance can be hard to find, health costs can be pricy, and the standards can be inconsistent. This is especially important to consider if you have any long-term health conditions. In remote areas, healthcare can be difficult to come across, and some countries also might not have access to the medications that your home county does. Language barriers can make healthcare abroad difficult, and maintaining consistency of care while on the go can be tricky. Emergency situations in foreign countries can also be incredibly stressful.

  • Visas and permits: Visas can potentially be an issue, even with the best of passports. If you plan to stay in a county for a longer period, then you need to look into their conditions of working remotely from there. There are also many countries that require you to obtain the visa from an embassy in your home country, and not only can this be expensive but it’s often also impractical. Who wants to fly all the way back to where they came from to pick up a visa?! Visa planning can be a real pain sometimes, and it requires a lot of forethinking, especially if you’re travelling around the African Continent.

  • Timing: Time zone differences can also be a tricky one. Work schedules can be on the total opposite of the time spectrum to where you are located. This can mean late nights working, tiredness, missing out on parties and events, and sleeping during the day.

  • Workspace: Finding suitable places to work from can also be a slight challenge. A lot of remote parts of counties are not set up for the digital nomad life yet, meaning that finding a place to sit quietly and work in peace might be hard to come by.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A digital nomad is someone who uses technology to work remotely and travel the world at the same time.

  • Some benefits of being a digital nomad include the freedom to work from anywhere, the ability to explore new places, and the opportunity to experience different cultures.

  • Digital nomads can do a wide range of jobs, including freelance writing, web development, graphic design, online marketing, virtual assistance, and many more.

  • While specific skills vary depending on the job, digital nomads generally need skills related to their field of work, as well as good communication, self-discipline, and problem-solving skills.

  • To become a digital nomad, you need to have a job or some source of income that can be done remotely. You also need to be prepared for the challenges of balancing work and travel, as well as managing your finances and lifestyle.

  • The cost of being a digital nomad can vary depending on your lifestyle choices and the countries you choose to work and live in. It's possible to live frugally and keep expenses low, but some expenses like accommodation and transportation may still be significant.

  • Some downsides of being a digital nomad may include feelings of loneliness or isolation, the need for self-motivation and discipline, difficulties in maintaining work-life balance, and potential challenges with reliable internet connection and time zone differences.

  • Some tips for becoming a successful digital nomad include careful financial planning, building a reliable client or job base before embarking on the nomadic lifestyle, having a backup plan in case of emergencies, and taking care of your physical and mental well-being.

  • Yes, you are looking at one! But of course there are numerous other online communities, forums, and resources specifically for digital nomads, such as websites, blogs, social media groups, and coworking spaces where you can connect with like-minded individuals, get advice, and find support!

  • Yes, it is possible to become a digital nomad with a family. However, it may require additional planning and considerations, such as education for children, healthcare, and finding suitable accommodation that can accommodate the needs of the whole family.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether the digital nomad life is a dream come true or a daunting challenge depends on your ability to adapt, your desire for adventure, and your capacity to navigate the practicalities of remote work. This lifestyle has unlimited bonuses, and each day is a new adventure if you allow it to be!

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