10 Hard Truths about being a Digital Nomad
Digital nomads, people who can work from wherever they want in the world, are the definition of mixing business with pleasure. At least that’s how they make it look. There are many great things about it, from traveling to destinations of their choice to choosing places with beautiful scenery and cultures, eating delicious foods, and hanging out with whoever they want.
It’s what many dream of doing because it seems so glamorous and exciting. But if you’ve heard the saying not all that glitters is gold, you’d understand that there is more to it than meets the eye.
If you’re considering becoming a digital nomad, there are some things that you should know about this lifestyle. While it can be incredible, it can also be difficult in unique and unexpected ways.
Before quitting your day job and booking your next flight, consider these hard truths you may not know about being a digital nomad:
1. Finding a job can be a struggle. Most remote jobs involve technology, social media, or a combination. These require good technical knowledge, skills, experience, and dedication. Secondly, some employers do not like full-time remote workers. Many jobs may allow for mostly remote work but still require workers to stay in a general area.
* You may be qualified for a job but have to turn it down because some employers use tracking technology to ensure their workers stay in a particular jurisdiction. Their data cannot be accessed anywhere else.
2. To succeed as a digital nomad, you need to have worked for many years or have phenomenal skills to justify your usefulness.
* If this is the life you want to choose, then study like a maniac. Apply for jobs that have a global reach. Eventually, you’ll find something for yourself.
3. Working internationally can become a logistical nightmare. Relaxing by the beach and sipping coconut water while working on your laptop sounds appealing, but the reality is often not so great. A lot of things have to come together to make it work. One is a good internet connection.
4. Internet connection by the beach usually isn’t great. Most Airbnbs and hotels do not provide good enough wifi to suit your professional needs. Places that do fit your lifestyle may have high prices.
* Imagine having to conduct a meeting in pitch darkness due to a blackout, chickens cackling loudly, or local people having heated discussions in the background. It may sound funny, but it’s not very professional.
* You also have to consider healthcare needs, the increasing cost of tourism, and security needs. You may have to sacrifice sleep to finish work or move to areas with a better connection.
5, It gets a little lonely. You may end up in a country and not understand even a word of their language. Even when you make friends on the road, it’s often short-lived and it’s hard to have stability in your relationships.
* Your work can leave you stuck inside for hours, and may not give you the chance to go out and socialize.
6,If you do want to get to know people in your new location, plan a good schedule for work so you can include other activities. Include things like touring with the locals, learning their language, cooking local recipes, and generally learning the culture. The more you try, the easier it will be for people to be comfortable around you and become your friends.
* Keep in mind that you also don’t have to travel alone. You may want to bring your spouse or family along or even a close friend who also works remotely.
7. It requires a ridiculous amount of discipline. To work from home, you need a high level of self-discipline. You are the only one ensuring you get tasks done promptly. When you work remotely you have far less accountability than you would working in a standard office. Because of this, you need to double or triple your self-discipline.
* When you travel to new areas there are a lot of distractions. You always feel like you’re running out of time to see beautiful places, so you might find yourself coming up with excuses to take you away from your work. However, in order to continue getting the revenue that allows you to travel, you have to buckle down and get the work done.
8. If it means you will miss out on sightseeing a little bit, so be it. Choose the things you want to see and spread out the fun, ensuring you give yourself enough time to work. Create a strict work and sightseeing schedule.
* If you manage it well, you won’t burn yourself out, and you can stay a nomad longer.
9. The reality is digital nomadism isn’t sustainable without work—a lot of stressful work.
10. A few months into this lifestyle, you could be burnt out with uncomfortable working conditions, constant moving, unpredictability, logistical frustrations, and expense. It’s great to want the idea of a long vacation, but that’s not what a digital nomad is.
* You’ll still be working lots of hours. Sometimes more than a traditional job. And you’ll likely make less money. If you need a break, take a vacation, relax, and have fun.
