The Realities of Being a Digital Nomad: My Journey and Lessons Learned

Let’s start with a disclaimer: this is not a guide on how to become a digital nomad. Nor is it a recipe for achieving that idyllic, jet-setting, location-independent lifestyle. Instead, what you’ll find here is my personal story of becoming a digital nomad for two years. I'll share what I loved, what I didn’t, and why this lifestyle worked for a time—but no longer does. I’ll throw in some practical tips, gear suggestions, and "lessons learned" along the way, but consider this more of a personal account than a comprehensive guide.

In October 2011, I made a career shift from a full-time corporate job in London to freelancing as a copywriter, blogger, and fiction writer. For over two years, my partner and I traveled while working remotely. We lived and worked in Morocco, Thailand, Malaysia, Finland, Canada, and several other countries, sometimes for just a few days, sometimes for months at a time.

By 2018, we found a place we loved so much that we didn’t want to leave: Amsterdam. I’m still doing the same work, and I’m still location-independent, but I’ve traded nomadic life for a more stationary one. What follows are the most common questions I get about how to become a digital nomad, along with insights and advice for those curious about this lifestyle.

What's a digital nomad?

A digital nomad is someone who uses technology to work remotely while living a nomadic lifestyle, moving from place to place. With that, let's dive into some key questions about being a digital nomad.

What Kind of Work Do You Do?

I make a living as a copywriter, travel writer, ghost blogger, and fiction author. I also make a small amount from collaborations on my blog. It’s important to diversify your income streams when freelancing because some months will be financially stronger than others.

Freelancing offers flexibility, but it also comes with uncertainties. Some months, I make a lot less than I did in my corporate job, but with significantly lower expenses, we make it work. My partner also runs online businesses, and as long as our combined income covers our combined expenses, we’re content.

How Do You Keep Working While Traveling?

Balance and priorities. For some digital nomads, work is a “necessary evil” to enable travel, but for us, it’s central. We often plan our travel around work. When we have major projects, we choose quieter locations to focus. When we have more flexibility, we explore new destinations—but always with work in mind.

Tips for Aspiring Digital Nomads

Here are some truths about freelancing and traveling as a digital nomad:

1. Freelancing Isn’t Limited: You can do almost any job online nowadays. Skills are often transferable, and it’s up to you to market them.

2. Diversify: Don’t limit yourself to one type of client or service. The more flexible you are, the more opportunities you’ll have.

3. Find Work You Enjoy: If you don’t at least like what you do, you’ll grow to resent it, and that will affect your motivation and work quality.

4. Know Your Worth: Identify the skills you have and find ways to market them effectively.

5. Have a Safety Net: Always have savings and backup plans. Freelancing is unpredictable.

6. Start Small: If you can, begin freelancing while still in full-time work. This will give you time to build a portfolio without financial pressure.

7. Prepare for Slow Months: Be ready for quieter periods, like August or December, when clients may be on holiday.

8. Back Up Everything: Whether it’s using two hard drives or cloud storage, safeguard your work.

Working While Traveling

If travel is your priority, embrace it, but know that you will need to make work a constant companion. Some key takeaways:

You’re Never 100% Ready: But you should feel 99% ready before you make the leap into digital nomadism.

Internet Is Non-Negotiable: It’s essential for remote work. Don’t travel anywhere without reliable internet access.

It’s Okay to Touch Base: Returning home for a bit isn’t failure; it’s sometimes necessary for mental and emotional well-being.

Enjoy the Journey: Both the travel and the work journeys are rewarding if you approach them with the right mindset.

Ultimately, digital nomadism is not for everyone, and that’s okay. For a time, it gave me freedom, adventure, and the chance to chase my dreams. But like any journey, it evolves, and the destination may change.