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The age of the digital nomad is in full rotation at coffee shops, coworking spaces, islands, bungalows, backyards … You get it right? Liberation has arrived for the desk jockey. The idea, reality, and freedom of working from home, or… anywhere, has become increasingly popular among a growing population of people looking for a location independent lifestyle. It is a powerful movement being powered by technology and access. Today, all you need is a laptop and access to high speed internet to change how and where you are living. We’ve lived this way since 2017 and can testify(!) that being a remote worker, a digital nomad, or a freelancer may seem glamorous; but like all things in life, the yin and yang are present!

Before taking that leap, let’s examine the pros and cons of being a digital nomad.

Pros

• Freedom and Flexibility – This is probably the most alluring perk to being a digital nomad. This also looks different for different people. When you start to dig into it, having space to decide where you work and when you work is just the tip of the iceberg.
• Travel – It’s us 🤚🏾! Being a digital nomad opens up the ability to work from anywhere in the world (that has a stable, high speed internet connection). Visit the places on your bucketlist and still get a home cooked meal in the same night. Travel, and travel at your own pace. Experience different cultures and explore as much of the world as you’re able. We appreciate learning and growing through engagement of the human spirit in all of its variety. To see the existence of man and life in many different forms and places. In doing that, we find ourselves in a state of constant evolution and exploration.
• Geoarbitrage – This takes travel a bit further. Geoarbitrage… Geographic arbitrage means making your geographic location arbitrary and therefore a variable in where you live. For example: If you have a job based in the U.S. and earn USD, you can stretch those dollars further, while maintaining an equal or better quality of life, by living where the costs are lower. Expatistan and Numbeo are wonderful, living resources to wrap your head around costs and expenses in different cities and countries.
• Creativity and Inspiration Boost – Have you ever rearranged your office or decided to work from that aesthetic cafe one afternoon? Changing the scenery changes the mood and is often the key to unlocking the creativity and inspiration needed to stay productive. Change your city or your country and experience it for yourself.

Cons

Nada!?

Just kidding. There’s definitely a few and they’re all worth mentioning.

• No Homebase – Being a digital nomad can bring about a burst of travel and exploration. Usually, you have a place to come home to, and you still might. But if you’re in the group of slow travelers, or travelers gone for months at a time, it gets tiring. Living out of a suitcase doesn’t vibe with everyone. And that feeling you get when you come home and take off your day, unwind and settle-in with your favorite dinner won’t be in your new normal.
• Missing Routine – As you change locations, you also change climates, diets, orientations, routines, etc. With this change of external conditions, attempting to maintain the same quality and tempo of workflow in your life can be difficult. We enjoy the moments where we choose to settle in a destination for a few months just so we can build some sense of home. We are nesters who love adventure and people.
• It’s Isolating –  One thing that isn’t talked about enough is how lonely and isolating it can feel to be a digital nomad. Being in new destinations is often synonymous with distance between you, family, and friends. Building community while you embrace new cultures and your new residence can make all the difference in you thriving abroad. Attend local events, join region specific Facebook groups, participate in language exchange events, and work out of a cafe or coworking space to meet new people. 
• Missing Major Milestones – Depending on where you are in the world, you’ll find some diffculty in supporting your family and friends back home as they experience special events and milestones. Inevitably, you’ll miss a few of these. There’s nothing like showing up for the ones you love, and when Facetime is your only option, it just doesn’t hit the same. Becoming “okay” with knowing that you might miss out on some of these life events takes the pressure off a little. Afterall, it’s all love.

Tools for Aspiring Digital Nomads

Being a digital nomad is all about the freedom – to travel, to explore new places, to work with a flexible schedule. Honestly, it’s an exciting lifestyle that works for us and many others. But while digital nomadism can be an exhilarating adventure, the challenges don’t stop with the pros and cons. Having the right tools can make your digital nomad or remote work experience smoother and more enjoyable. Here are some top tools, both technical and physical, that can help you thrive as a digital nomad:

• Travel Insurance – SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance is top of this list. Having travel insurance that doubles as medical insurance is an added layer of peace while abroad. You can never really anticipate medical emergencies, travel disruptions, or lost checked luggage; but, you can be prepared. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance was created by nomads for nomads. It provides crucial coverage in 185 countries that’s both flexible and affordable. It’s perfect for people like us who don’t know where we’ll be next month!

Save this link for your next next trip abroad to check out SafetyWing for yourself.

• Power Bank – A portable power bank has been a lifesaver for my devices countless times. Whether experiencing a blackout, brownout, or just limited power outlets, a power bank is one device I never leave home without.
• Stable Internet – This is the lifeline for digital nomads. The ability to access and sustain a stable internet connection becomes a life skill. Typical tools to help stay connected are to get data on your phone with a local simcard or E-simcard. Carry a portable hotspot with local data as a backup. Add international data on your existing phone plan and ALWAYS confirm internet speeds with your accommodations before booking.
• VPN – Natually, this one comes next. Download a VPN on all of your devices to establish a safe, secure internet connection that protects and encrypts your internet activity. A reliable go-to for us is ExpressVPN. It even withstood China’s firewall during our eight month stint in Wuhan.
• Noise-cancelling Headphones – Work and life in these international streets can be noisy. From our time abroad, we’ve learned that ‘noise’ is relative! A good pair of noise-cancelling headphones can help block out distractions and create a focused, productive environment no matter where you are. Grab yourself a pair, rock out, and hone in.

Whether you are pursuing the digital nomad lifestyle for a specific reason or a season, this list aims to provide you with clarify and tools to create a fulfilling, balanced, location independent life.

Safe travels.