Are you tired of your nine-to-five job? Do you want a life of travel and flexible work? As a digital nomad, you can have the luxuries of being your own boss. However, there are a few things you’ll need to know before making this jump. In this guide, we will fill you in on what it takes to become a digital nomad, from steps to get you started to challenges you might face.
What Is a Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is a person who relies on technology to earn a living and can work from anywhere. This can manifest in a variety of ways, but most often it refers to people who work remotely, using laptops and other devices to connect with clients and coworkers from around the world.
What Are the Benefits of Being a Digital Nomad?
There are various benefits of being a digital nomad, from flexibility to the freedom to be your own boss. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of freelance writers, programmers, and graphic designers. Below, you will find a list of benefits of becoming a digital nomad:
- Nomadic lifestyle. You can travel to different places and experience different cultures without having to worry about finding a job or somewhere to live. According to Statista, increased flexibility is the most popular benefit of life as a digital nomad.
- Work from anywhere. As a digital nomad, you can often work from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an Internet connection. This gives you a great deal of freedom and flexibility when it comes to your work-life balance.
- Less costly. A digital nomad has the option to save money by avoiding expensive city living costs such as rent and commuting costs. BLS reports that tech experts like computer programmers make an average salary of $93,000. Instead of spending the majority of your income on rent, you can live in a city with a much lower cost of living.
- Relationship building. There is a huge community of digital nomads that offer support to each other.
The Steps of Becoming a Digital Nomad
Becoming a digital nomad is an excellent choice if you want to work and see the world. To avoid any surprises, you need to consider certain factors. We curated a step-by-step guide to help you become a digital nomad below:
- Find a remote job. You’ll need a job that can be done remotely to become a digital nomad. You can rely on education platforms like coding bootcamps to acquire necessary skills to land remote jobs. Most digital nomads are web developers, graphic designers, and writers. A coding bootcamp like App Academy or Thinkful can help you land these roles.
- Save money. It’s not necessary to have a ton of money in the bank, but it helps to have some cushion in case things don’t go as planned.
- Get rid of excess stuff. One of the great things about being a digital nomad is not having to deal with unnecessary stuff. Many people find it very therapeutic to get rid of excess clutter in their lives.
- Pack light. You don’t need to bring everything with you when you travel as a digital nomad. Choose only essential items.
- Get travel insurance. This is an absolute must – especially if you’re traveling to places with less stable political climates or infectious diseases.
- Research visa requirements. Depending on where in the world you want to travel, you may need to get special visas in order to stay there long-term as a digital nomad.
- Embrace the unknown. As a digital nomad, there will be plenty of challenges and uncertainties. The setbacks form the whole essence of living as a digital nomad.
What Are Some Common Challenges That Digital Nomads Face?
Anyone who has ever dreamed of leaving the nine-to-five grind and working from anywhere in the world has likely considered the digital nomad lifestyle. While this way of living comes with plenty of freedoms, there are also a few challenges. Here are a few of the most common challenges that digital nomads face:
- Establishing a consistent routine. It can be hard to find time to work when you’re constantly exploring new places, and it can be easy to get distracted by your surroundings.
- It can be lonely. When you’re living and working in a new place, it can be tough to meet people and make friends.
- It’s difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle. It can be hard to find time to exercise, and it can be tempting to indulge in unhealthy food options when you’re tired and hungry after a long day of work.
- Financial management. It can be difficult to stick to a budget when you’re constantly spending money on travel and accommodation.
Verdict
Becoming a digital nomad is an excellent choice if you enjoy traveling. The lifestyle of a digital nomad is packed with extreme freedom and luxuries. Using these steps, you can start your life as a digital nomad today.