Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds if not thousands of businesses, big and small, have switched over permanently to remote or hybrid working models. This means that working online from the comfort of your home, or anywhere else in the world, has become a reality for many people.
Naturally, this freedom and flexibility has spurred thousands to consider the prospect of living as digital nomad – flitting about from place to place and getting to explore the world while you earn a living.
As glamorous as this sounds, there’s still a lot to know about how it all works before you decide to take the leap and move away from home. Here are some of the biggest things to think about.
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Financial Considerations
First and most importantly, you need to think about your finances. Your decision to try out this lifestyle will depend on your earnings – whether you’re a freelancer or have a fixed income and what currency you earn in.
These factors will play into how you’ll be able to afford accommodation, food, and the various activities you’ll want to engage in as you travel. There are other important financial considerations to make, such as savings and investments, and ensuring that you have an international health insurance policy so you’re covered in medical emergencies.
Having a budget, a game-plan, and being well prepared financially will allow you to enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle stress-free.
Essential Skills for Digital Nomads
Truthfully, this type of lifestyle is really only suited to a certain type of person. If you’re a structured person who loves routine and needs stability to feel safe and secure, this might now be for you.
The flexibility and adaptability of a digital nomad is an important skill needed to make the most of it. You’ll face unexpected challenges and you might never know what will happen next, which is exciting for some but a nightmare for others!
As a digital nomad, you’ll also need to work smarter, not harder, and working on your time management skills will endlessly benefit you, allowing you more time to enjoy your travels.
Must-Have Tools for Digital Nomads
As a digital nomad, you’ll need a good amount of tools in your belt to help you navigate your new lifestyle, work efficiently, and travel smart. First and foremost is a good portable work setup. You’ll obviously need to be working on a regular basis when you’re traveling, so you need to make sure you have all the equipment necessary to make this as easy as possible for yourself.
This can include your laptop, tablet, and other important accessories. Investing in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones is also a great idea because you’ll probably be doing a lot of your work in coffee shops and other public spaces where distraction is inevitable.
Having comfortable, light, and secure bags is also an essential! Becoming a smart and seasoned traveller will teach you plenty of tips and tricks about packing light and investing in the right gear.
Advantages of the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
Obviously, there’s a lot to love about the digital nomad lifestyle. It offers you the type of freedom and flexibility that no other job can, and can allow for a fuller and more satisfying life.
You’ll be able to experience much more of the world than the average person, learn about new cultures, and perhaps even fall in love with a city where you’d like to settle down.
The work-life balance in this lifestyle is typically much better than your standard office job, since you’re not tied to typical work hours or a building where your boss can keep you after hours. If you’re an adventure seeker who doesn’t like to be tied down, this is the ideal lifestyle for you.
Challenges of the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
Of course, the digital nomad lifestyle comes with its cons and challenges as well. As mentioned, the lack of structure and stability might be stressful for some, and others might experience loneliness and isolation being far away from family and friends, and never being able to build long-term relationships.
There are other factors that might pose a challenge too, such as differing time zones to the company you work for, managing to strike a balance between work and play, and even taking care of your health can be challenging when it comes to this lifestyle. This is why thorough planning and consideration are key steps to take before launching yourself into a life on the road.
