Being a digital nomad is a new way of working for people. You work as a freelancer or completely remotely. This allows you to create your own schedule and set your own fees. This means you can travel freely around the world doing your job. This is a popular concept which has really taken off since the pandemic. Many more remote jobs have been available and many people have found in it exactly what they wanted. While this sounds amazing, provides liberty and is a great working experience, it does have some downsides as well like a poor work-life balance, and lack of habits and routine. Keep on reading to hear more about this career path and its pros and cons.
Work-life balance
When being a digital nomad, not only might you have been working across the world from where your customer is, which is often in a different time zone. You might have to work specific hours early morning, or at night.
This is the kind of thing that can make it hard for you to have a work-life balance. There is no 9 to 5 where at the end of the day you shut down your laptop. You might have busy periods that will put a strain on you.
Habits
Digital nomads travel around the world. While this can be amazing, because you are always moving around, you might find it difficult to stick to your habits. You might not even be able to respect your routine as you would.
It also emphasizes your own responsibility to stick to your habits. Will you be able to work when you said you would? Do as you plan? Habits can be hard to implement and easy to lose. Make sure you know yourself well and have ways to counter-fight your bad habits.
Homesick
Some digital nomads felt like where they grew up wasn’t home, and some were too hungry to see what the world has to offer. You might feel the same. But one thing to keep in mind is that if you love this life, it’s not for everyone.
Many of your friends or family members have all their life in one place. You have your habits and routine which you will have to adapt constantly. This can be a lonely life when you work a lot, maybe too much without realizing you are not socializing.
Cost
When being a digital nomad, you can work from anywhere. Maybe in a cottage in England, a beach in Tunisia,… anywhere! Depending on your fees, you can make a great life and use the living cost across the world to your advantage.
Some countries are cheaper than others to stay in. Make some research, and maybe hop on a cheap flight, you can also make friends around the world and stay at their place for a few days. This can be a good way to make some savings.
A lifetime experience
Yes, the digital nomad life is not for everyone, maybe not for the whole life but how would you know if you are not trying? Build up your skills, start slowly and when you are ready, try it for a bit; Maybe it won’t work and then you can say that at least you tried.
Maybe you will find inside yourself something you had never seen before. That this way of living is perfect for you and that you are doing great. This is definitely a great experience that will help you in your professional career.
