Are you a newcomer to the digital nomad lifestyle and need some tips to improve your experience? Or are you interested in becoming a digital nomad, but don’t know where to begin the planning process? If so, keep reading!
Digital nomads are people who work remotely while traveling from place to place. They may have a home base and choose to travel for part or the majority of the year, but the main criteria is that they are not stationary workers.
As you can imagine, there’s a lot to consider when deciding and planning to become a digital nomad. So, where do you start? Luckily, we put together some things to consider when trying to figure out if digital nomadism is the right choice for you.
Discover HomeExchangeHow are you planning to work while traveling?
First thing’s first: What are you going to do during your time as a digital nomad? Well, that’s going to depend on a person-to-person basis. Some people work for very remote-friendly companies that don’t mind it if employees embrace the digital nomad lifestyle. While this allows for more stability, make sure to check in with your employer to make sure you working from a different country or region won’t cause any legal or tax-related complications for your company.
Many digital nomads are also working from outside the traditional 9-5 work sphere. Some freelance, which makes it easier for them to maintain their own schedule when traveling, while others work on personal projects. These projects can be anything from starting and running a business, writing a book, or developing a skill.
Maintain a work-life balance
This is important, since it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of work, or you can get so distracted by your surroundings that some work falls to the wayside. Make sure you keep a schedule or calendar and plan ahead to make sure that you’re not overworking yourself or that you’re not neglecting your necessary duties. Don't forget to plan some weekend excursions and after-work activities, and to take some time off for either your mental health or to just relax and have some fun.
Have reliable access to the internet
One of the important parts of being a digital nomad is to make sure that the word “digital” applies to you. That means that wherever you go, you should always make sure that you have a hotspot or that you can easily access WiFi. This will allow you to work and access some types of entertainment (like Netflix or Instagram). It might also be worthwhile to have a VPN to protect your data and to easily switch your computer’s location setting as needed.
Travel with HomeExchangeMake connections with fellow digital nomads
While you’re traveling, you might find yourself in need of a community of people who are going through a similar experience. That’s why you should try to connect with other digital nomads both online and in the real world, if possible. Websites like Reddit have online communities where digital nomads can share experiences and trade advice with one another. Also keep an eye out for real-world gatherings for digital nomads, and consider visiting a shared workspace once in a while to meet new people. Remember, the digital nomad lifestyle is not just about new experiences, but for making new connections as well.
Keep your schedule in mind when working across several time zones
As you’re working, remember to check which time zone a meeting or a deadline is scheduled for. You don’t want to be late because noon your time may actually be a completely different time for the person or people you’re working with. So make sure you keep track of that and let your employer, coworkers, clients, and any other relevant person know what your time zone is and what that may mean for your schedule.
Figure out what your accommodations will be
Of course, there’s the ever-important question of where you will stay while you are on the go. While it may take some of the spontaneity away, it’s always good to have an itinerary and an idea of where you will stay. While hotels and AirBnBs can be expensive, and hostels can be impersonal, they’re not the only way to find accommodations when you’re a digital nomad. With HomeExchange, digital nomads can choose to swap homes with over 100,000 members of our community with homes in more than 130 countries. Members only have to pay the annual membership fee to unlock an entire year worth of exchanges, without any extra fees from HomeExchange. This is also a great way for digital nomads to make connections with locals, learn to live like a local, and enjoy the comforts of a home away from home.
Join HomeExchangeDespite all the work that needs to be done before you leave, we’re sure that you’ll find the digital nomad experience rewarding and life-changing. If after reading this, you decide that perhaps being away from home so much isn’t what you’re looking for, check out our post on working vacations, a shorter and less commitment-heavy alternative to digital nomadism. Whichever option is best for you, we hope you have fun globetrotting!
