Becoming A Vagabond: Becoming A Digital Nomad

Digital Nomad (n.) a location-independent individual who works on a self-employed basis, and uses technology for their job – often using this flexibility to travel. The term 'digital nomad' has frequently been thrown around as of late. What was once thought of as a trendy, passing phenomenon has transformed to a movement intent on revolutionising how we conceive of work and life. Travelling the world while making a living? Sounds pretty good to us. Read on as she share some of the best tips we’ve collected for making this lifestyle a reality!

• If you’re hoping to freelance in order to support your DN lifestyle, it’s best to try it out for at least 3 months while you’re still based in one location. This way, you can experience the general discipline needed for self-employment, and build up the infrastructure of your remote work setup (i.e. client management, digital promotion, build your brand, etc.) For instance, you may find that it’s necessary to stay in one location for longer than expected in order to balance the costs of travel.

• Following from the previous point, it’s important to figure all the logistics of your relocation, the most important being a reliable Internet connection or workspace, as it’s the basis of your job. This means having a backup plan separate from Wi-fi that’s provided along with your accommodation, especially if you’re travelling to a lesser-developed country. Co-workspaces are reliable in terms of providing these amenities; purchasing a local SIM card is another option, also allowing you phone access as well.

• Being a perpetual traveller is a dream for all wanderlusters out there, but most long-term DN will talk about how lonely it can be. Building a network and finding a group of friends is essential if you want to commit to this lifestyle in the long-term. Get over the fear, say yes, and be open to new things. Conversely, prepare yourself about the things you’ll be missing out at home, and empower yourself with everything you can gain from seeing the world.

• Not to toot our own horn, but co-workspaces are typically the best option to help you settle in quickly to your new working routine and the local environment. It provides you with ease of mind in having a stable place to work, community of like-minded people, and staff  who are able to provide you with the information and any questions you may have about living in the foreign country. Also, be sure to do your homework on theeons of DN-related resources onlineto maximise your experience in place city you visit.

• One last thing to keep in mind before your embark on your DN adventure, keep in mind that there are no rules to how you want to live your life. There exist countless ways to make a living, do you’re not limited to any one structure for doing so. Consulting, contract or temp jobs, or negotiating a remote work arrangement are all ways you can make the right step for you. But as always, don’t go until you’re completely ready to make the change.