Being A Digital Nomad Allows You To Travel More Mindfully

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Being A Digital Nomad Allows You To Travel More Mindfully

With remote working opportunities on the rise, employees are expanding their horizons. Whilst extended time out of the office previously seemed the privilege of those who worked on exciting freelance projects, working at home is now the norm for significantly more people.

Enter digital nomads: those who travel and work, simultaneously. In 2020, 10.9 million Americans surveyed described themselves as a digital nomad, which was up from 7.3 million in 2019. Whilst this may be in part due to the pandemic, it indicates that digital nomads are here to stay, especially when the report also shows that 42% of digital nomads in America are millennials.

Away from being tied to an office, working as a digital nomad allows you to travel the world, an adventure you previously might have needed to take a sabbatical or extended unpaid leave for. Here, we take a look at why nomadic travel allows you to be more mindful than your regular trip.

Take in a country at your own pace

A holiday can often involve a tight schedule, especially if there are lots of impressive cultural landmarks to squeeze in. You have to pick and choose what you want to see, and can sometimes return from your trip a little frazzled from taking it all in.

Whilst this doesn’t mean that you enjoyed visiting the country any less, staying somewhere for a longer period of time means that you can savour the experience. You can also visit lesser known places, or visit tourist attractions outside of peak times, resulting in you feeling more like a local than a visitor. Travel, whilst fun, can be incredibly stressful, and giving yourself longer to explore means that you can soak up all that a destination has to offer.

A new perspective

Working whilst travelling can give you a completely different perspective to your day. Whilst on holiday you might not be an early riser, a working day means that you’re likely to be up and about. This allows you to experience a place in a fresh light, whether that is getting up to go to a local bakery or getting the best spot in a local café whilst it’s still quiet.

Make meaningful connections

Living in a place for a longer period of time means that you can get to know the locals, providing that you put the effort in. Rather than going to dinner with other holidaymakers and getting stuck in the tourist traps, living in a community should allow you to dive into the culture and make meaningful connections.

Some of the best ways to do this are to join local classes or strike up a conversation. First off, learn a little of the language – even if you’re not that good, they’ll appreciate the effort, and it will help in restaurants and bars that are not for tourists. If you’re nervous to set out to events alone, try looking for other digital nomads on social media, who you can talk to before you go. Just make sure to be safe and meet in a public space at first.

To sum up

Being a digital nomad can improve your life far more than simply getting rid of your commute. Nomadic travel can allow you to expand your geographical and cultural horizons, whilst having the reassurance of a regular paycheck. If you’re thinking of going for it, just make sure you speak to your employer to make sure the process is as smooth as possible.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.