Chasing Sunsets and Wi-Fi: The Reality of Being a Digital Nomad
It’s a misconception that the digital nomad lifestyle is only for singles, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Some digital nomads have been living and working around the world with their families, pets, and friends. It’s a lifestyle that’s becoming increasingly popular, as the allure of working by the pristine and clear beaches, mountain retreats, and café-hopping in charming cities is difficult to resist.
For those of us with the freedom to work from anywhere, is it really that easy to just pack up everything and enjoy endless beach sunsets, and sip on piña coladas while working remotely? Let’s explore the nomadic life and whether it’s time to toss your desk chair out the window now (you probably shouldn’t.)
Different “Office” View Every Time
Staring at the same wall and confined to the same drab cubicle for a couple of years can easily make anyone bored. One of the reasons why people are opting for a digital nomad lifestyle is that they get to choose their “office” view. Of course, you have to work at a job that would allow you to work remotely, or find a job that would allow it.
Feeling bored? Just hop to another city or even another country! Although this might sound like a dream, there is a not-so-glamorous reality to being a digital nomad: hunting for reliable Wi-Fi can sometimes be difficult. You’re constantly at the mercy of coffee shops, hoping they don’t suddenly decide to go offline just as you’re about to hit “send” on that important email.
A Digital Nomad Packs Like a Pro
If you have a lot of essentials and you can’t decide which ones to bring and which ones you can live without for a couple of months, the digital nomad lifestyle might not be for you. You can’t expect to live and work in one city and then pack up in just 10 minutes to move to the next if you have too many belongings. To truly embrace the digital nomad lifestyle, you need to be able to live off just what you can fit in a backpack.
Be Prepared to Meet New Friends and Leave Older Friends Behind
You might make new friends in every city or country you visit, and during your stay, you’ll likely bond with them. But you must remember that sooner rather than later, you’ll leave them behind too. Don’t be surprised if they ask you when you’re going to settle down because they might not understand how someone can live without having a permanent address.
Work-Life Balance
The thing with being a digital nomad is sometimes the line between work and life gets blurry. True, they’re living a life that others can only dream of, but it can also get exhausting. Without the physical separation of an office, it’s easy to forget to log off and work longer hours. The digital nomad lifestyle can sometimes be a never-ending hustle, making it difficult to find that elusive work-life balance.
Learn to Thrive in Unpredictability
The life of a digital nomad is anything but predictable! This is not the lifestyle for a nitpicker. You might find yourself working in a beautiful city one day and stuck in a bus station the next. Embrace and thrive in unpredictability. Missed flights, wrong turns and unplanned detours are all part of this lifestyle. They make for great stories, after all!
The Bottom Line: Is it Worth it?
It really depends on what you define as “worth it.” If you’re someone who is always itching to go on an adventure, see the world, meet people from different backgrounds, experience a new culture, and have the freedom to be where you want to be, then the digital nomad lifestyle is for you! But if you are someone who prefers quiet nights, a stable 9-5 job and a permanent home where your things are on shelves and in cabinets and not inside a backpack or a suitcase, then sticking to the cubicle life might be the better option.
