Digital Nomads: The Ultimate Remote Workers

With the rise of remote work options, more and more people are ditching traditional onsite office job in favor of a lifestyle that allows them to work remotely and travel the world at the same time. These individuals are known as digital nomads.

But what exactly is a digital nomad?

A digital nomad is someone who uses technology to work remotely, allowing them to travel and live in different places while still earning a living. Digital nomads are fully location independent, meaning they're not tied down to one location -- they can work from anywhere as long as they have an internet connection. This allows nomads to travel and explore new places around the globe without sacrificing their careers.

The daily life of a digital nomad can vary greatly depending on the individual and the career options they've chosen. Some may choose to work from coworking spaces or coffee shops, while others may prefer to work from the comfort of their own apartments or even from a beachside hammock. Hostels are also frequently popular options, as they typically have good social scenes, solid WiFi, and food/coffee/drink options (I'm personally a fan of Selina Hostels). The flexibility of remote work allows nomads to choose either a more structured schedule (as when working with more traditional, 9-5 jobs), or if freelancing, the nomad can design their own schedule, set their own working hours, and balance work and play in a way that suits them best.

One of the biggest perks of being a digital nomad is that it allows you to travel to new and exciting places while still earning a living. Imagine being able to work from a remote island in the South Pacific one month, and then moving on to explore the bustling streets of a European city the next. The opportunities for travel and adventure are endless. (This is what I have personally done for the last two years, adding up mileage from Latin America to Europe to Asia!)

Sounds sexy! Where do I sign up?

Before you jump fully in, be aware that it's not all about travel and adventure. The digital nomad lifestyle can also be challenging. Staying motivated and productive while working remotely can be difficult, especially when dealing with the distractions and isolation that come with being in a new place and separate from one's friends. Additionally, the lack of stability and predictability can be overwhelming. Many digital nomads find workarounds, such as opting for co-living places and longer-term stays - this allows them to make friends and develop routines, instead of living out of pocket long term.

Other challenges that digital nomads can face include working around timezones, ensuring they have consistently good WiFi (harder than you'd think when traveling in the jungle!), making friends, and building regular, healthy routines. These challenges can be more difficult to overcome while traveling than they are to build at home, because you're missing the familiarity and consistency of things like accessible grocery stores, and often lack accountability since the people you're surrounded with can be more transient.

But for many, the benefits of being a digital nomad far outweigh the challenges. The ability to work remotely and travel the world is a dream come true for many, and the increase of remote jobs and work opportunities has made it much easier than ever before to make this dream come true.

How do I become a digital nomad?

Typically, you have one of two options:

1. You can become a freelancer and build your own business. Being your own boss allows you to take full control over your schedule. The downside of this is the inherent uncertainty that comes with freelancing; you lose the reliability of a consistent paycheck, but gain more freedom and flexibility. If this is an option that interests you, I encourage you to look into things like creating digital downloads, developing content online, or becoming a virtual assistant or social media manager!

2. You can get a fully remote, more traditional role (like a 9-5) and simply choose a more exotic office! (This is what I do) Getting a traditional 9-5 role in remote work grants you stability through a regular paycheck every 2 weeks. You may sacrifice some time and freedom as you may be required to adhere to the company's core hours, but for some, the peace of mind and the ability to advance one's career while simultaneously traveling full-time are worth the trade-off.

This sounds cool and all, but I just want to work from home...

Remote work is not one-size-fits-all - while being a digital nomad is a dream for many, the ability to work remotely opens a world of opportunities to everybody. You can absolutely find a remote job that lets you be a stay-at-home-mother, a local coffee shop connoisseur, completely eliminate the need for a commute, and in general increases your daily options and flexibility.

Do you want to find remote work, but don't know where to begin?

You are in luck! I've built Roadmap to Remote to walk you through all the steps it takes to get a fully remote job. Our focus is particularly on stable 9-5 roles, but I'm also happy to provide some resources I've personally used if you're more interested in checking out freelance roles or building your own business - just send me an email!

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