So you want to be a Digital Nomad?
Being a Digital Nomad is like the advanced level of remote work. They are not the same. Don’t let anyone tell you they are.
It’ll be one of the toughest, but most inspiring things you’ll ever experience. I did it for 3 months in Mexico & South America last year! I spent time in 8 different cities, staying anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks in each place. It was a roller coaster ride, but I’d do it again!
If you’re planning on finally doing the Digital Nomad thing too, this is what you should know:
- Don’t move around as much as I did in that short span of time. It’s not impossible to do, but it can be stressful if you’re not prepared or accustomed to traveling.
- Take some time to stop and plan out your travel itinerary in advance so that you don’t feel like you’re all over the place.
- To make the most of your experience spend an extended amount of time in each place. 1 month or a month and a half is a good amount of time.
- Take at least 1 full week off in every place you go to. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself working all the time, and not really getting to experience the local culture.
- It’s important to figure out where you want to work early in the day. Once you start working, it’s inconvenient to stop and move around.
- Always pay for convenience. Being cheap isn’t worth it.
- Reflect often. Stop and think about where in the world and what in the world you’re doing, and realign as often as you need to.
- Look for places with good wifi (if you don’t have your own hotspot). This is especially important if you’re in a country that is prone to outages or weak wifi.
- If the Airbnb per night stay costs just as much as the Hotel, choose the Hotel. (Choose the Airbnb only if it gives you a discount on an extended stay).
- Read reviews for travel experiences, hotel stays, and restaurants. Also, leave reviews for other people.
- Traveling won’t always be rainbows and sunshine. Expect to take a lot of Ls (i.e. delayed flights, stomach bugs, hours in customs, etc.)
- Selina Hostels has a chokehold on the hostel community right now. LOL. It’s like the go-to place to stay if you want to stay in a hostel anywhere in the world. Bonus tip: Selina Hostels have strong wifi. Get the code once, and you’re good. 👀
- Try to pick countries that operate in the same time zone as your clients/teams. A few hours ahead or behind is fine.
- Be open to CHANGE. Being a digital nomad will change you whether you like it or not. You will be inspired as you cross paths with people and experiences that are drastically different from what you’re accustomed to.
