8 Tips - How to Become a Digital Nomad in 2024
Chapters:
1. Find work in the place you're from.
2. Don't rush - stay in places longer.
3. If you like a place, decide to stay even longer
4. Don't be shy to be you.
5. Flying (with a plane) is bad for the environment
6. It's easiest to start in a digital nomad hotspot
7. Your life might totally change ✨
8. There are no rules.
Let's dive in! 👇
1. Find work in the place you're from.
We recommend figuring out a reliable income stream before you actually hit the road. It can be much harder to find new work while you travel.
For most people, it's easier to find clients and work when they're at home and close to their network, the local mindset, and the timezone they're in.
If you're a freelancer; water and grow a solid customer base. Do good work, get recurring customers, and be so good that your customers recommend you to their friends.
Or, make sure you have a steady remote job that allows you to work in a different timezone.
Starting from scratch? Make a mindmap with your skills, potential clients, and business models to make money remotely, and work towards that goal in the next 3 months. Look for recurring skills needed on remote job boards, and pick one core skill to master, like SEO, UX / UI Design, or Web development. Join a specialised bootcamp if needed. (For inspiration, check memorisely.com)
When done right, you'll have the space of mind to enjoy being in this new place, instead of stressing about finances.
Bonus tip:
Does this all sound like a step too far ahead? Try booking a coliving space for 1 week! You'll meet amazing other remote workers who travel long term, and whom you can ask questions and learn from.
2. Don't rush - stay in places longer.
In the beginning, you might feel like you need to 'make as much out of your time abroad as you can'. This can become exhausting, and no one cares about how many countries you've been to. You should do what you want to do. If you wanted to, you can have this life on the road forever. There is no need to rush. You will make it happen - like you always do.
If you stay somewhere longer, you can invest in making your home cosier and more comfortable. You will make better friendships, and you will get a much better understanding of the local culture and way of living. You can learn a new language, fall in love, start a new business, or get good at another new skill, like surfing.
3. If you like a place, decide to stay even longer
You probably have another 50+ years to live. If you make the decision to stay somewhere longer, everything changes. It'll bring a lot of peace. Sure, keeping all options open has its benefit. But, cut yourself some slack. You're not missing out on anything. If it feels good to be here, be here. (and make your room cosy)
4. Don't be shy to be you.
It's not always easy to make new friends on the road. Think of strangers as friends you just still have to meet. You've known everyone for a long time already, all you have to do is connect. They're you, living their life as a different person. They'll be glad you took a chance and reached out to say hi. Wouldn't you?
You don't have time to be too shy to meet someone who could've been an amazing friend. You don't have time to not do or say things you want to, because you worry about what people might think. Be yourself, and your tribe will select itself. Not everyone might like you, just like you might not like everyone either. It's fine. Match? No? Next. Match? Yes. Awesome. You'll miss out on all the amazing relationships and life paths you could have when you don't try because you're scared. Or, when you're always trying to satisfy all other people, and thereby never truly being yourself. Don't hide that magic from the world! Plus, everyone always has something interesting about them if you approach them openly and with curiosity.
5. Flying (with a plane) is bad for the environment
We know this isn't easy. But try to not fly a lot. If you can, take a train. Pay your carbon taxes. Stay in places for a long time. It's better for the beautiful natural world that makes this entire experience possible. :)
6. It's easiest to start in a digital nomad hotspot
Starting new travels in a new country is easiest when you join a coliving space. You will instantly make new friends. Living with someone will allow you to really get to know them. After the first month or so, you will have many new friends, and be able to find your own more private accommodation if needed. As many coliving spaces have a coworking space attached - or fast wifi at the least - they also make sure that you can get your work done from day one.
Having to spend a lot of time and energy worrying about getting your work done will not be fun. Finding cafes, wifi hotspots, topping up local 3G sim cards.. Better to make sure you start at a good workspace to get used to the new place, and then after a month or so, venture out into the wild more and more.
7. Your life might totally change
You might stay somewhere for years. You might fall in love. You might make an amazing new friend and start a new business together. Worth a shot, right?
Your dreams..
What if they all worked out?
(Read that again)
8. There are no rules.
If you look at the world from outer space, there are no borders, there are no rules.
This modern world you woke up in today, we created ourselves. That's the point. To explore what's possible, and create experiences and relationships in your tiny bit of time alive that make you look back to and smile.
It's about freedom. You create your own game. There is no way to 'be a digital nomad'. It's just you exploring the world and your time. Don't feel like you have to be on the road for a certain amount of time, go specific places, or do things other digital nomads do.
Some people feel like they 'failed' when they go home earlier than they initially expected. Some couldn't make ends meet for as long as they wished. Going home is not failing. You tried, and you learned something new. You stretched your own possibilities for reality. That's courageous and amazing. You've had a great time. Also; it's fantastic to go home sometimes and be closer to family and friends.
The whole point: You choose. You create the rules.
Now go, dear! Spread your wings and.. fly!
(Or train)
xx
1. Find work in the place you're from.
2. Don't rush - stay in places longer.
3. If you like a place, decide to stay even longer
4. Don't be shy to be you.
5. Flying (with a plane) is bad for the environment
6. It's easiest to start in a digital nomad hotspot
7. Your life might totally change ✨
8. There are no rules.
Let's dive in! 👇
We recommend figuring out a reliable income stream before you actually hit the road. It can be much harder to find new work while you travel.
For most people, it's easier to find clients and work when they're at home and close to their network, the local mindset, and the timezone they're in.
If you're a freelancer; water and grow a solid customer base. Do good work, get recurring customers, and be so good that your customers recommend you to their friends.
Or, make sure you have a steady remote job that allows you to work in a different timezone.
Starting from scratch? Make a mindmap with your skills, potential clients, and business models to make money remotely, and work towards that goal in the next 3 months. Look for recurring skills needed on remote job boards, and pick one core skill to master, like SEO, UX / UI Design, or Web development. Join a specialised bootcamp if needed. (For inspiration, check memorisely.com)
When done right, you'll have the space of mind to enjoy being in this new place, instead of stressing about finances.
Bonus tip:
Does this all sound like a step too far ahead? Try booking a coliving space for 1 week! You'll meet amazing other remote workers who travel long term, and whom you can ask questions and learn from.
In the beginning, you might feel like you need to 'make as much out of your time abroad as you can'. This can become exhausting, and no one cares about how many countries you've been to. You should do what you want to do. If you wanted to, you can have this life on the road forever. There is no need to rush. You will make it happen - like you always do.
If you stay somewhere longer, you can invest in making your home cosier and more comfortable. You will make better friendships, and you will get a much better understanding of the local culture and way of living. You can learn a new language, fall in love, start a new business, or get good at another new skill, like surfing.
You probably have another 50+ years to live. If you make the decision to stay somewhere longer, everything changes. It'll bring a lot of peace. Sure, keeping all options open has its benefit. But, cut yourself some slack. You're not missing out on anything. If it feels good to be here, be here. (and make your room cosy)
It's not always easy to make new friends on the road. Think of strangers as friends you just still have to meet. You've known everyone for a long time already, all you have to do is connect. They're you, living their life as a different person. They'll be glad you took a chance and reached out to say hi. Wouldn't you?
You don't have time to be too shy to meet someone who could've been an amazing friend. You don't have time to not do or say things you want to, because you worry about what people might think. Be yourself, and your tribe will select itself. Not everyone might like you, just like you might not like everyone either. It's fine. Match? No? Next. Match? Yes. Awesome. You'll miss out on all the amazing relationships and life paths you could have when you don't try because you're scared. Or, when you're always trying to satisfy all other people, and thereby never truly being yourself. Don't hide that magic from the world! Plus, everyone always has something interesting about them if you approach them openly and with curiosity.
We know this isn't easy. But try to not fly a lot. If you can, take a train. Pay your carbon taxes. Stay in places for a long time. It's better for the beautiful natural world that makes this entire experience possible. :)
Starting new travels in a new country is easiest when you join a coliving space. You will instantly make new friends. Living with someone will allow you to really get to know them. After the first month or so, you will have many new friends, and be able to find your own more private accommodation if needed. As many coliving spaces have a coworking space attached - or fast wifi at the least - they also make sure that you can get your work done from day one.
Having to spend a lot of time and energy worrying about getting your work done will not be fun. Finding cafes, wifi hotspots, topping up local 3G sim cards.. Better to make sure you start at a good workspace to get used to the new place, and then after a month or so, venture out into the wild more and more.
You might stay somewhere for years. You might fall in love. You might make an amazing new friend and start a new business together. Worth a shot, right?
Your dreams..
What if they all worked out?
(Read that again)
If you look at the world from outer space, there are no borders, there are no rules.
This modern world you woke up in today, we created ourselves. That's the point. To explore what's possible, and create experiences and relationships in your tiny bit of time alive that make you look back to and smile.
It's about freedom. You create your own game. There is no way to 'be a digital nomad'. It's just you exploring the world and your time. Don't feel like you have to be on the road for a certain amount of time, go specific places, or do things other digital nomads do.
Some people feel like they 'failed' when they go home earlier than they initially expected. Some couldn't make ends meet for as long as they wished. Going home is not failing. You tried, and you learned something new. You stretched your own possibilities for reality. That's courageous and amazing. You've had a great time. Also; it's fantastic to go home sometimes and be closer to family and friends.
The whole point: You choose. You create the rules.
Now go, dear! Spread your wings and.. fly!
(Or train)
xx
N
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