Do you love the open road? I sure do! Not just the open road, I love the freedom of being a modern nomad. I’ve been at it for years, and let me tell you, it’s not as easy as it looks. But, it is definitely as rewarding as it seems.
If you’ve ever dreamed of living around the world, coming and going as you please, you’ve got a nomadic spirit. Whether you’ve dipped your toe into living the digital nomad life, or you’re not sure if it’s the right move for you, I have some things to share with you.
What is a Nomad?
The definition of being a nomad has evolved during our modern times. Once it referred to a type of person, or a group of people who would travel from place to place without a permanent home more often than not in search of livestock, water, and other resources.
Now in our modern times, many of us nomads live on the road, traveling from one place to another, without a permanent residence of any kind. Modern nomads live in search of the next experience, or next job, whatever the case may be. What sets a nomad apart from a passionate traveler is being, what I like to call, “location independent.”
A digital nomad is someone who travels while being able to work online, from wherever they may be. With all the changes the world experienced as a result of COVID-19, many people are exploring the option of traveling while keeping their job going. These people, like me, work from a myriad of places like coffee shops, hotel lobbies, and even the great outdoors. As long as there are WiFi capabilities, they’re there! That’s living as a digital nomad.
I’ve begun partnering with nomad.me and I have to tell you, this is one of the best partnerships I have ever become a part of it. Get ready for travel by subscription. Only members of nomad.me can access their exclusive savings with this new Travel Buying Experience. There is no better way to be a Nomad, and I will be sharing more soon.
Why I Love the Nomad Life
Most people who travel a lot and love travel, have a permanent residence of some sort to come back to. A nomad does not. They are free of the shackles that come with possessions like a home, a car, and so on. Those things bring stability for so many, while for others like me, they can be weights. I can come and go whenever I want without worry of such possessions.
It is common for people who have lived many years to realize that material possessions don’t matter all that much. The world is too beautiful and diverse to be ignored. I get to meet new people every day and hear their stories. My eyes gaze upon different landscapes each season. I get to taste worldly cuisines. And it just keeps going day after day. My occupation sure looks like a vacation, but it definitely is not.
Tips for Living as a Digital Nomad
You might be surprised to learn that being a digital nomad requires discipline. As I travel around I venture into places that are built to distract and entertainment people that are traveling for leisure. While my job is indeed fun, it absolutely requires work and focus.
I have found that I have to be more disciplined and organized as a digital nomad than back when I was living the typical work life. Yes, there are wine tastings and air balloon rides and all kinds of awesome adventures, that I am so glad I get to experience. But, my job requires me to present those encounters in unique ways with clear and exciting content and communication.
If I let myself go and get into “vacation mode” then I could loose focus. Soon the content would be just okay. Soon I wouldn’t be able to handle the numerous meetings and video conferences I go through in a day while also fully exploring whatever destination I happen to be visiting at the moment.
Besides being disciplined and organized, I do my best to stick to a routine. Just because I travel from place to place doesn’t mean I can’t maintain some sort of routine. Doing so enables me to stay grounded and stay focused.
A daily routine is an anchor that doesn’t weigh me down, but it gives me structure. I don’t keep things rigid because going with the flow is part of the joy of being a digital nomad. But, I have a few consistencies each day to help me stay on track. I always wake up early so I can see the sunrise. There is no better way to start the day.
I carve out specific time for meetings and calls, and then specific time for whatever adventures are set up for the day. Some times things shift, but I know what’s on the docket for the day right at the start, so I can roll with any changes without panic or worry as to if I am overlooking anything.
When I travel somewhere new I settle in, but stay organized. I always know where everything is — my cameras, equipment, and so on. Keeping things organized always me to truly absurd where I am without being distracted. With the world as my home, I fully embrace the nomad life.
One final tip: Stay tuned on my blog and social channels to learn more about nomad.me. Only members of nomad.me can access their exclusive savings on travel. I can’t wait to tell you more about it, because if you’re looking to become a Nomad like me, nomad.me makes it as easy as possible.
Want to learn more or share your experience? Get in touch! Just fill out the contact form below and let me know about your nomad life experiences, or let me know your questions. Or if you know of a business or destination that wants to share their story with a broad audience, let’s talk!
