Last Updated on June 28, 2024
The world has gone wild for the digital nomad lifestyle. Around 35 million people have leaped globally. Being able to work from anywhere looks pretty appealing. But is it all it’s cracked up to be?
Are you thinking of doing it yourself? We’re here to help. We’ve put together the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. We’ll also discuss the benefits of outsourcing some of your work to help you on your digital nomad journey.
What is a digital nomad?
A remote professional who can work and live anywhere in the world. They have no set address or office and often travel from place to place. Their day-to-day setup will usually be in a coffee shop or co-working space. It often suits freelancers and entrepreneurs, and sometimes remote workers employed by a company.
The Pros:
The flexibility and freedom
As a digital nomad, you can work from anywhere, creating travel opportunities without booking time off work. You’ll be working your schedule (this might differ if a company employs you). You can create a work-life balance that suits you and gives you more time to focus on your passions and explore.
Discovering different cultures
Working in different countries and cultures can expand your knowledge of how others live. By immersing yourselves in their traditions and customs, you’re exposing yourself to different ways of life. This can lead to new skills and interests and being more open-minded.
Meet new people
This lifestyle offers an excellent opportunity to meet many people from diverse backgrounds. As you travel from place to place, you’ll be able to engage with locals and fellow remote workers. You may even find you make lifelong friends throughout your journey.
No stressful commutes
A very appealing aspect is the lack of need for commutes. Car owners spend an average of 54.8 minutes daily getting to and from work. You won’t be traveling to the office every day, and you’ll be avoiding the traffic daily grind.
Personal and professional growth
The digital nomad lifestyle can create opportunities for personal and professional growth. The unfamiliar experiences and cultures will help you learn valuable skills like time management, communication techniques, independent decision-making, and quick problem-solving.
The Cons:
The legalities of working abroad
This can pose a challenge, mainly if a company remotely employs you. Different countries have different laws and regulations surrounding visas and taxes. Not complying with these regulations can have severe consequences and land you in legal trouble. Do your research beforehand! If you’re employed, check your contract, which usually states how long you can work away.
Finding a stable internet connection
Your work revolves around staying digitally connected. Finding a stable Wi-Fi connection might be tricky. This can be frustrating, leading to having to put things on hold. You could potentially miss out on work deadlines. Public Wi-Fi can be limited, unsecured, and slow. Look into investing in a portable Wi-Fi device or a data plan that allows for reliable internet while traveling.
It can be lonely and isolating.
Without having a fixed office or colleagues to interact with, it can be challenging to maintain social connections. The constant travel means you don’t have a stable support system. You may miss your friends and family. Even though technology does make it easier to connect, the lack of face-to-face interaction with them can be problematic.
Work/life balance can suffer.
Without a structured routine, it’s easy to fall into the trap of working too many hours. You can lose the balance between work and your personal life. Having the freedom to work from anywhere can leave you tempted to work non-stop, causing burnout and neglecting your mental health. Remember to schedule downtime and set timers on your phone to remind you to stop for the day. Disconnecting and making time for yourself will increase your overall productivity.
How can hiring a virtual assistant help you as a digital nomad?
If you’re finding your workload too much to cope with as a digital nomad, it might be time to look into outsourcing to a virtual assistant. They can handle admin and more mundane tasks while you focus on your projects. Have them schedule appointments and meetings, manage emails and social media accounts, and run a general organization.
It’s a cost-effective outsourcing option that will give you more time to focus on your work. At Aristo Sourcing, we have virtual assistant services to suit everything from admin to specialist support. You can find out more by clicking here!