Being able to become location independent is a desire shared by many individuals because it grants the flexibility to easily relocate to an entirely new destination whenever the desire for a change of surroundings arises.
If I feel tired of snow, I have the option to spend a month living on the beach in Mexico. If I want to, I can go visit my friends in Amsterdam. If I am in the mood for adventure, I could consider heading to Egypt for a week or two.
You don’t have to sell your house, quit everything, and constantly keep moving to become a digital nomad. Instead, digital nomads, especially those with children, choose to switch their surroundings every few years and travel whenever they please.
Don’t assume that digital nomads don’t work or work while enjoying the beach because it’s not accurate. Working on the beach can actually be detrimental as the sand may damage your laptop and the sun can harm your eyes due to screen reflection. Initially, you will need to maintain the same workload as before, and although you may eventually transition to part-time, be ready to spend a significant amount of time in front of your laptop regardless.
What Is A Digital Nomad? What Do Most Digital Nomads Do?
Digital nomads are individuals who work remotely and frequently travel to various locations. Unlike taking annual leave for vacations, digital nomads combine travel and work simultaneously. They are able to work from any place as long as they have access to the internet.
In all honesty, the romanticized idea of working with a laptop on the beach, as often portrayed on Instagram, rarely reflects reality. It is important to refrain from attempting such a scenario, as it can result in your laptop getting covered in sand and potentially malfunctioning.
Many assume that living an RV lifestyle is the most celebrated option based on internet portrayal. However, it is important to note that individuals may choose to reside in sailboats, rent Airbnbs in foreign countries, or simply travel constantly from their home bases.
Basically, there is a wide range of digital nomads, including individuals who own their own businesses, those who work as freelancers, and others who maintain full-time jobs but have the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere.
- Fully Remote Employment: Work as an employee for a company that allows them to work from anywhere.
- Freelancing: Get projects or contract work from companies as a freelancer.
- Self-Employment: Entrepreneurs and virtual business owners who run it from anywhere they want.
The salary for digital nomads is not fixed and can vary greatly based on factors such as experience, ambition, and creativity.
When it comes to salary, although digital nomads are often described as being independent of location, the truth is not all of them earn sufficient income to support a nomadic lifestyle. This is why there are several affordable digital nomad hubs worldwide.
Although some digital nomads are satisfied with earning $1000 a month and working fewer hours, they limit themselves to low-cost countries. As a result, they cannot truly claim to be location independent since they cannot afford to spend even a month in countries such as the US, Japan, or the UK with that salary.
Digital Nomad Work Tips
Make the most of your time zone
Being a nomad involves finding a harmony between your free time and work duties. Therefore, align your schedule with your work, rather than conflicting with it.
If you need to be available during East Coast hours, attempting to work from Bali (which is 12 hours ahead) may result in fatigue. However, you can visit Machu Picchu without crossing into a different time zone.
You can either work in the mornings and enjoy the nightlife in the evenings, or work in the evenings and go hiking in the mornings. There is no correct or incorrect approach. The crucial aspect is to communicate with your team, ensuring everyone is aware of your availability online. I have discovered that setting these expectations early is highly beneficial, particularly during challenging situations.
Even if your job requires you to be at your desk for most of the day, there are still opportunities to discover places near your workplace. In Medellín, Colombia, where I worked, I managed to experience paragliding during my lunch break by finding a tour that offered transportation to and from my home within an hour.
Home isn’t always where the WiFi is
Although I have a strong desire to work daily from a sunny cafe in Lisbon, enjoying espresso and tasting pastéis de nata, the truth is that there are drawbacks to working in public spaces. I’m certain that if you have ever attempted to have a Zoom call in a busy cafe, you are aware of these downsides as well.
Furthermore, it is highly recommended for digital nomads to use a private network or VPN as public WiFi networks, including those that require passwords, still carry a considerable security threat. When searching for Airbnb accommodations suitable for work, it is advisable to look for keywords like “WiFi,” “connection,” or “working remotely” in the reviews to avoid places with a unreliable internet connection.
Be strategic about packing
Your packing list is determined by your priorities. While you have the freedom to bring anything you desire, you will have to carry it with you, so it is important to make wise choices.
If you’ve ever visited the OneBag subreddit, you are aware of a complete subculture centered around minimalist travel. Despite appreciating their principles of prioritizing experience over logistics, I prefer a slightly less extreme approach.
When it comes to packing clothes, I follow a general guideline of carrying enough for a week and washing them whenever necessary. To accomplish this, I have to investigate laundry facilities in every place I stay. In Argentina, for instance, self-service laundromats are not easily found, but there seems to be a lavanderias available on almost every street corner where you can have your clothes cleaned and ironed.
Learn skills you can use later while getting paid for it!
Why not consider getting a job at a company that will train you in online work skills if you are willing to be patient? Personally, I followed this approach for my two most recent positions, one in affiliate marketing and the other in SEO.
Although the pay they provided was not the highest, they essentially provided me with all the necessary teachings to enhance my blogging business without any cost. Furthermore, I was compensated for the time dedicated to acquiring new skills.
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