Choosing to become a digital nomad was a matter of necessity for me. When I decided to travel the world, I did not have a ton of money saved and I did not have passive income coming in. All I knew was that I was outta there! After leaving LA with the little money I saved, and the money I made from getting rid of all my belongings, I knew I had to find a gig that I could do online while I traveled. In full transparency, the conversation with my current client started before I left but I did not write a proposal until two weeks after my trip started. I jumped on that plane with blind faith! My digital nomad journey was very organic but I learned a lot along the way. If you are new to the digital nomad game here are a few tips.
Pick a location that can help you thrive.
Working and traveling adds another layer to the nomad life. Picking a location that can fulfill all your personal and professional needs is paramount. Yes, you can go anywhere in the world, but does your job require strong wifi 24/7 or can you disappear for a few days and your clients won’t freak out? In some areas, the wifi might be good for regular daily use but can it handle large uploads and downloads? When researching where to visit be very realistic about your necessities. This includes access to consistent power as well. This is where I feel writers have an advantage; they get to check in less and disappear for days while working on projects. Lucky! I work in the social media and content management world so I have to make sure I have decent wifi at all times.
Protect your time and make sure your contract reflects your boundaries.
The whole point of leaving the 9-to-5 world is to not be a slave to your job. All my contracts include the days and times I am willing to work and when I will be unreachable. Be very clear about the lifestyle you want and make sure your clients understand your boundaries. In general, I work four-day weeks between certain hours, and I do not work weekends unless there is an emergency. This is where a great contract comes into play. I am very blessed to have a friend who is a pro at freelance contracts and I pay her to rip it to shreds and put it back together. A good thing to remember is that as you move through different timezones your personal definition of a weekend might change or your working hours might be affected.
Network before you get on the plane!
This is one of my biggest professional tips, whether you are a digital nomad or not. Digitally connect with as many people in your field as possible. In this case, connect with other digital nomads and expats in your chosen location (and around the world) before you travel. This is where Facebook Groups comes in really handy. I am almost sure there is an expat FB group for every country on the planet, and if you are lucky there may even be groups just for digital nomads. Logging on and getting tips and tricks before you land can save a ton of headaches. People living and working the way you aspire to will tell you everything you need to know before you jump on the plane. For example, while in Bali a fellow traveler friend asked me to look into art supply stores for her husband. Because I was able to locate resources for them it literally lightened their load. In general, I check into the Girls Love Travel group on FB every time I plan a trip. This group is not specific to digital nomads, but I have met amazing women from around the world and gotten great travel tips. Don’t forget to check blogs as well. So many people have done this before you, so there is no reason to feel lost or uninformed.
Co-living
My first leap into the nomad world was actually at a co-living space in Nicaragua. Co-living is a type of accommodation for digital nomads or young professionals who prefer a communal living arrangement. Co-living not only helps you save money but introduces you to a community of people who are on similar life paths. In order to curate the residents and guarantee a house filled with like-minded people, I had to apply to stay at my co-living space. When I realized this, I was a little taken aback by the process but upon arrival it all made sense. Digital nomads live and work on the road, so the last thing you want at home is a group of loud party kids whose only mission is to get lit. Co-living spaces range from a hotel-like experience to a homey bed and breakfast feel, and are wired for the fun and work balance. You will get the quiet time you need for work but when you want to socialize you are more than welcomed. Another feature I really enjoyed about staying at a co-living space was the organized meet-ups. We had “Lunch & Learn” sessions (where different guests taught mini-workshops at lunchtime), round table talks, morning yoga, dinner outings, and the occasional bar flex. My favorite part of staying at the house was all the great people I met. After spending almost three weeks there I can truly say I left with a few friends. My roommate even turned into a travel buddy for a few stops on the journey. And I met up with two other women while traveling in Bali!
Coworking
A coworking space is basically communal office spaces for anyone who needs office vibes without big budgets. It has all the amenities (private offices, board rooms, coffee bar, printing station etc.) for you to successfully run your business anywhere in the world. More importantly, very similarly to co-living, coworking spaces offer community. If you are a solo traveler or a social person then finding a community with shared interests is integral to your mental health. Although I have never rented a desk at a coworking space, I have taken advantage of their communal activities such as culture talks, workshops, and poetry slams. So even if you are planning on renting your own house but still want to connect with other digital nomads, check out the coworking spaces in each country you visit.
Research activities that will take you away from your computer but still stimulate your mind!
Like I’ve stated before, the whole point of leaving the 9-to-5 world is to not be a slave to your work! When researching locations, pick places that offer activities that pique your interest. Activities that you’ve always wanted to try or skills you want to hone. It’s no secret that Bali is one of my favorite places to visit. It has an amazing digital nomad and expat community. You can surf, hike, offroad, camp, learn about permaculture, take a coffee course, go to workshops, music festivals or poetry slams. The list is endless! It makes work-life balance so easy. Why would you want to chain yourself to your desk when there are so many fun things to do?
Pick a date and go!
Up until this moment, you have done a fair amount of research. You have chosen a location, made some connections and you are feeling good. You have done as much as you can to prepare, it’s time to pick a date and GO. If this is your first trip, do not get caught up in over planning because you are nervous. And do not keep pushing back the date while you are waiting on everything to be perfect. As long as you have a solid plan (or even a little loose one), GO. Trust yourself and take the leap.
Get settled and be flexible.
Once you have taken this amazing step into digital nomadism, take your time getting settled. The best part of being a nomad is knowing that you are doing slow travel. Find your bearings in your new home. Take time out to find your favorite coffee shops, restaurants, and spas. Go on long walks, meet the locals and feel out the area. There is no rush to get everything perfect right away. You might not want to hear this but things might not turn out the way you think they will. Your accommodations may not be a good fit or you may find a neighborhood you like better. Build flexibility into your trip. When traveling you have to learn how to roll with the punches.
Get to work!
Now that you are all settled, find your new routine. Remember you are still working and traveling, so set up a schedule that works for you. Maybe try a four-day workweek as I did or try completing all your work before a certain time so the rest of the day is for relaxing and exploring. The best part of being a digital nomad is that you call the shots! Know your limits and hold yourself accountable. And most importantly, have fun!