Why are More and More People Becoming Digital Nomads?
Work is just something we all have to put up with. We need money to live our lives, and the only way to get it is by working. For many people, work is something they dread and can be detrimental to their emotional and mental well-being.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Modern technology has forever changed the way in which we work. It has made it more convenient and, crucially, more enjoyable. What if we told you there was a way to work and explore the world at the same time? This might sound impossible, but by living a digital nomad lifestyle, you can make it a reality. What are digital nomads? Why are more and more people becoming digital nomads? Read on to find out.
Related: “Ultimate Travel Guide to Vietnam”
What are Digital Nomads?
Traditionally, work involved going into an office five days a week. This can mean long commutes on uncomfortable public transport and spending the majority of your week in less-than-optimal surroundings.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in people working from home. Internet technology now means many people can work remotely, either part-time or full-time, communicating with their colleagues and working collaboratively without the need to be in the same physical location.
Working from home can offer staff improved levels of comfort and convenience and has even been linked to higher levels of employee productivity. However, some people can find working from home boring or even lonely. They miss the social interaction and become desperate to get out of the house.
Digital nomads can be seen as a direct response to these criticisms of working from home. While they still work remotely, digital nomads are not stuck in one location. Instead, they travel, often to exotic locations, working from hotels, restaurants, or even the beach.
If this sounds too good to be true, think again. Becoming a digital nomad is easier than you might expect. By acquiring a digital nomad visa in Portugal or any other country that takes your fancy, you will be able to live and work in that country for a number of months.
So, now that we know what digital nomads are, why is the practice becoming so popular? Let’s find out.
A Sense of Freedom
Work can often leave people feeling trapped, which creates compounding negative feelings, eventually leading to mental stress and burnout. Even those working from home are at risk. They can feel stuck in a monotonous loop and become unhappy with their daily lives.
Becoming a digital nomad can free you from these shackles. You’ll no longer have to visit the same drab office every day or feel trapped working in your own home. Instead, you’ll have the freedom to up sticks and go wherever you want.
Even if you were to visit a country as a digital nomad and find it’s not quite as you expected, the beauty of the lifestyle is that there are no real commitments or responsibilities tying you down to that particular location. If you don’t like it, you can simply gather your things and try somewhere new.
Explore New Countries
Travel is one of life’s great joys. It’s a big world out there, full of endless things to see, places to go, and things to do. Working in the traditional sense can leave people with little time to get out and explore the world. They are tied down by their schedule and often too tired to do much during their time off.
As a digital nomad, you’ll have the chance to combine work and travel. You’ll be able to visit all the places you’ve dreamed of without having to forgo your professional or financial ambitions. Rather than spending your weekends at home or in your local area, you can take the time to get out and explore a brand-new city, taking in the sights and sampling exotic cuisine. You could visit some fantastic New York restaurants or go sightseeing in Tokyo. Anything is possible as a digital nomad.
Live in Luxury
Who doesn’t love a stay in a luxurious hotel? As a digital nomad, you could be waking up in a comfy hotel bed every day. Hotels act as the headquarters for digital nomads across the world. They are a base of operations where they can work, sleep, and eat.
Digital nomads are increasingly drawn to Asia, particularly countries like Thailand and Vietnam. These countries are famed for their incredible landscapes and scenic beauty, but it is their affordable cost of living that makes them such attractive destinations for digital nomads.
The cost of living in Thailand is 60% lower than that in the US, with things like rent, utilities, food, and entertainment all costing far less. For the digital nomad, this means a life of luxury can easily be attained, and you’ll find yourself able to make big savings.
Being a Digital Nomad is Easier than Ever
If the digital nomad lifestyle sounds like your dream scenario, you’ll be pleased to hear that it’s easier than ever to adopt a remote, traveling work life, all you need is a phone and a laptop. With these tools and a solid internet connection, you’ll be able to communicate with your team and work from wherever you are in the world.
However, as a digital nomad, you rely much more heavily on technology. If your equipment was to break, get lost, or be stolen, you could find yourself unable to work and unable to earn more money. This is why it’s so important to look after your possessions while you’re traveling. Keep your phone and laptop in robust, sturdy casings to prevent them from getting damaged. If your hotel room has a safe, lock your valuables inside to keep them hidden should your room be targeted by thieves.
The digital nomad lifestyle is unlike anything we’ve seen before. It is changing the face of modern working practices and is being adopted by an increasing number of people as they look to develop a more positive work/life balance.
