The rise of remote work has freed many from the confines of a traditional office. Through technological advances and global connectivity, people can do a plethora of occupations completely from their laptops and other mobile devices. Many have taken the opportunity to give up a permanent address to travel and work around the world as Digital Nomads. As I was curious about this alternative lifestyle, one summer, I too made the decision not to renew my lease, give away my furniture and set out on my own nomadic journey. Along this adventure, I found there are many great reasons to become a digital nomad.

Freedom of Movement

Perhaps the first obvious perk of being a digital nomad is the freedom to work from anywhere. Since my work is with me, I don’t need to ask for time off to hop off to Mexico this month and then hop over to Asia the next. The freedom to travel as a remote worker provides a rather adventurous way of existing in the world. Freedom to travel not only applies to soaking up exciting foreign locations but also the freedom to visit friends and family. Like many people, my life journey through different jobs and university has resulted in my loved ones being scattered around various locations. It’s so wonderful to be able to spend quality time with my parents one month before heading to the other side of the country to hang out with long distance friends: all without feeling pressured to squeeze a visit into limited allotted “vacation time”.

Financial Freedom

It’s probably no secret that rent in the United States is well… ridiculous and not just in the major cities. The cost of living in many parts of the world has run rampant. A huge reason why the Digital Nomad craze took off to begin with was the opportunity to drastically lower your living expenses by simply relocating to a less expensive country. Rather than paying $2000 a month for a studio, many remote workers discovered they could take their laptop (along with their same job and income) to a cheaper country for a couple of months and save thousands of dollars (and without the complex legal process of permanently moving to a different country). I have stayed in short term rentals through Airbnb for years, staying in accommodations as cheap as $500 per month that would easily be 4 times as expensive in the States.

Incentive to Downsize on Material Possessions

As I get older, I value simplicity and intentional living more and more. Through societal pressure and arbitrary standards for success, our lives can become overrun by rampant consumerism and clutter. Becoming a digital nomad forced me to limit my belongings to fit into two suitcases. My mind, heart and spirit feel as light and uncluttered as my possessions. My need to travel light has also made me incredibly disciplined with my spending as I simply can’t mindlessly load up on stuff I don’t need. I don’t mind owning things, but I don’t want my things to own me!

Time for Mindful Solitude and Self Discovery

While my journey as a nomad has included time with family and friends (indeed some digital nomads travel right alongside their partners/spouses and even children), my travels have been largely solo. Far from lonely, my time moving about freely on my own has given me valuable time for mindful self reflection and freedom to discover and savor my unique passions. I think everyone should try solo travel at least once and I have found it a truly empowering experience!

Seeing the World at a Slower Pace

Being a digital nomad gives you the freedom to explore places for longer periods of time than a typical short vacation. Traveling at this slower pace gives one the opportunity to savor the little magical moments of daily life in a fresh environment and more deeply experience an exciting new culture. Being exposed to different cultures and lifestyles is tremendous for opening ones mind to the fact that there is no singular way to live.

Is Being a Digital Nomad Right for You?

While there are some wonderful aspects to this adventurous lifestyle, for many people there are certainly downsides to being a digital nomad. I stand by the importance of knowing how to be secure and comfortable in your own company. However, it’s understandable that many may find it quite lonely to travel solo for such extended periods of time. I also recognize that everyone does not have the safety net of friends and family to run to if some global catastrophe suddenly makes travel impossible. Even though seeing new places is naturally exciting, it can also be a bit disorienting having to frequently re-adjust to a new location. Frequent movement can also make it difficult to build community and long-term relationships.

For those on the fence about trying the nomadic life, I think it’s helpful to know that all digital nomad lifestyles don’t have to look the same. You don’t have to travel to the traditional “digital nomad hot spots” like Thailand or Mexico. Do some research, get inspired and seek out places that really speak to you. Some countries have even introduced digital nomad visas to accommodate remote workers for longer periods than typical tourist visas. For those who don’t think they can find a remote job, just know there is a more diverse array of work that can be done remotely than many realize. My digital nomad job happens to be voice acting, a job I previously never thought could be done outside of an expensive recording studio! And lastly, for those worried about feeling isolated out in the world alone, there are many ways to meet new people abroad such as meetups, co-working spaces, and tours where fellow travelers have formed lasting friendships and relationships.

Being a digital nomad doesn’t have to be some decades long venture. Trying it for even a year can be an amazing opportunity to save money toward future financial goals while exploring the world. For myself, being a nomad has been an enriching and confidence building experience that I am forever grateful for.

Thank you for reading! If you would like to learn what I pack to feel at home wherever I roam, please check out my Digital Nomad Packing List!