Have you always wanted to travel the world, experience different cultures, and explore the unknown? If yes, then you might be interested in becoming a digital nomad. As a digital nomad, as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, you can work from anywhere in the world.
Fortunately, there’ve been more digital nomad jobs popping up, allowing more people to work abroad and discover what life is really all about. If you’re the type of person who wants to live a life of freedom and adventure, this article will help you travel the world as a digital nomad while making sure you have no regrets.
As remote work increases in availability and popularity, more people are doing their jobs from the road. The digital nomad work culture is thriving, and the destinations that can support remote workers are increasing to meet the demand for nomad-friendly cities around the globe. Most digital nomads can do their jobs from anywhere they have reliable Wi-Fi, logging in from their laptops to location-independent roles or juggling various gigs as a freelancer.
Working in a location independent job brings many advantages, being able to travel the world is just one of them. Many people would like to see the world, but don’t want to go alone. Or they are just starting out as a nomad and prefer to be surrounded by like-minded people. Or they already are successful nomads who want to enlarge their network and join other communities.
- Research your destination and accommodation
The more time and effort you put into your travel plan, the more prepared for success you’ll be. Be sure to check the length of the visa available to you, the weather during the season you’ll be traveling, and to get an idea of which location may suit your needs. Do you want to be within walking distance to coworking offices, cafes, grocery stores, and a gym? Look on Google Maps and mark all of the places you’d frequent in a location, then check the distance between those spots and the accommodation you’re considering. Research to ensure the destination you’ve selected has accommodation within your budget that will meet your needs.
- Join local communities
Facebook groups and WhatsApp chats are a goldmine of information. Join groups for nomads in the new destination as well as local events, vegan, and yoga groups. You are always welcomed in a community by posting in the groups to introduce yourself or ask questions before you arrive. Facebook groups are full of location experts – more than one person in the group will be happy to respond to your inquiries. Posting in these groups can be the best way to learn about the best coworking offices, laptop-friendly cafes, and meetups. Once you are at the destination, connect in person with like-minded people.
- Find a good coworking space
Finding a suitable workspace in a new-to-you destination can be a challenge. Utilize Facebook groups to ask for suggestions. Ask if you can buy a day pass before you commit to a coworking space to make sure it suits your needs. If you take many calls throughout the day, pay attention to whether or not people are working in silence. If they are, check to see if there are private meeting rooms you could access should you have a meeting. If you prefer to work from cafes, always ask first if it’s okay to spend a few hours on your laptop while you eat and drink. Be mindful of the size of the cafe. If there are less than 10 tables it probably isn’t appropriate for you to sit there all day and work after buying only one meal.
- Maintain a work/life balance
Whether you’re working remotely full-time or occasionally, you probably chose to become a digital nomad for the freedom. Don’t forget to enjoy where you are! If you’ve a set 9-5 schedule, make a decision to shut your laptop and discover different restaurants during lunch, and attend events or workout classes in the evening to socialize. If you’re a freelancer and your schedule is flexible, don’t feel guilty if you take a day away from your computer to go on an adventure to a waterfall, winery, or whatever you please. Taking breaks when you need them maximizes productivity and creativity.
- Utilize the latest technology
During the pandemic, many offices went remote, which benefits digital nomads as there are more apps than ever to help keep us organized. There are many excellent apps for project management, it can also take care of scheduling client calls, and online meeting platforms continue to be the favorite platform for video meetings as and when necessary.
Many new digital nomads make the rookie mistake of staying on their cell phone plan from home – although many offer service internationally, US-based phone plans are significantly more expensive than pay-as-you-go SIM cards overseas. Make sure your phone is unlocked so you can buy a new SIM card in each country you visit. Ask in local Facebook communities which SIM card has the best service, can be used as a hotspot, and has the most reasonable prices.
As you can see, you have many digital nomad programs to choose from. Whether you want to join a retreat for a year or only 2 weeks – there are many experiences to choose from. Make sure to also google a few reviews before applying or booking a trip, to find out if this particular program is the right one for you.
