The Harsh Truth About Being a Digital Nomad / Full Time Travel
It has been around 18 months since I have embraced a more nomadic life and have pursued making a living online whilst travelling the world at the same time. Although I have only been doing it for a short time, I have experienced enough to at least be able to give you a more realistic outlook on this type of lifestyle. I write this because if you type “digital nomad” into Instagram, you will get a very picture perfect glimpse into this lifestyle. A glimpse which hides most of the negative aspects.
Also before I start I should state my position in life as it also influences my comments. I do not consider myself a traditional digital nomad who spends all day in coffee shops designing websites then heads to the bar with other digital nomads. I travel primarily for myself. I travel to further improve my main craft which is photography. I travel to learn more about the world, cultures, people and ultimately become a better person. I do not travel to meet people, to escape my life, to tick off a list of countries or to curate a picture perfect personal brand. I often travel either with my girlfriend, mum or friends. I never travel for more than 3 - 4 months at a time and I have a home base back in the UK. I do not live on a shoe string nor am I minted. My lifestyle is in some parts similar to a typical digital nomad so below are my observations.
Loneliness
Let’s not confuse loneliness and solitude. You can be lonely on the road or at home surrounded by friends. However spending time alone is healthy and being able to be alone is a great skill. By loneliness I mean that you quickly realise that travel is best shared with someone close. The moment you try the best breakfast you ever had is a little more special when there is someone else to share the happiness with. The amazing view after a long hike is best shared and a cold beer by the river on a sunny summer evening tastes nicer when it’s not by yourself.
I am an extremely independent person. Probably too independent. I love my own company and spend at least 50% of my time alone. However I distinctly remember the Porto trip when I was alone. It was a beautiful summer and I had an apartment right in the city centre. I remember coming back after a days shooting and seeing all the bars packed with groups of friends. Seeing couples enjoying a drink by the river and seeing families all together tucking into a pizza. I then remember going to restaurants alone and even the odd bar by myself. Although this wasn’t a big deal for me, I still remember feeling lonely that I couldn’t share that moment with someone important to me. Ideally you can travel with your partner, family member or friend. Equally you might be extroverted and can walk into a bar alone and leave with a group of friends. If that is you, then you will have an easier time. Matter of fact travelling with a partner is one of the best experiences one can have.
Home life moving on
Even if you have the closest and most supportive group of friends, don’t be surprised to find that they might not take much if any interest in your new lifestyle. Most people are too self absorbed in their life that they simply won’t care about your trip to Morocco if it didn’t involve them. Also don’t be surprised to come across some jealousy and envy should you over share your adventures around people who might not have the means or ability to do the same. Furthermore even the closest relationships and friendships need constant work to keep them healthy and strong. If you are spending most of the year overseas, you will simply not have enough time to keep these relationships going to the same degree as you did before. For some people this will not be an issue. For others it might end up in lost friendships. Finally keep in mind that aside from time, the main factor that keeps friends together is shared interests and hobbies. After 5 years of you travelling round the world while your friends are working an office job, raising kids & paying the mortgage, you might find a lot less in common when you return.
Issues on the road
Travel can be easy, effortless and fun. It can also be deeply stressful especially when things go wrong. The reality is that at some point or another, things will go wrong. It is something you need to be ready for by having a plan b, plenty of savings and a good travel insurance policy. Last year I managed to catch a nasty skin infection in Turkey. It got so bad that I can to cancel the following trip, fly home and go straight to A&E. Thankfully this wasn’t a serious issue. Another example was me arriving in my Lisbon Airbnb only to find the front door not locking and the host not being bothered to do anything about it. Although I got a full refund plus compensation, I was in Lisbon in August with no accommodation and with everything being booked. This resulted in me going back home and spending August in London before the next scheduled trip.
Impact on local communities
The next topic is the elephant in the room anytime long term travel is discussed. Especially when the travel is done by people from wealthier parts of the world and into areas where the locals don’t have that type of income. The reality is that many locals in such communities don’t like digital nomads. They drive up the cost of accommodation, they push locals further out into the suburbs and they increase the cost of living for everyone. To a software engineer from the US, paying $1000 a month to rent an apartment might be peanuts. To a local who earns $1300 a month, it might mean having to pack up and move further out. Of course I am not blaming digital nomads and I am fully aware I am part of the same problem. I am also aware they bring money into the local community that simply was not there before. I am not sure what the answer is where everyone benefits. It’s just something to keep in mind. I wrote an entire blog on this topic in more detail. You can read it below.
Working remotely is a pain in the arse
If you watch any travel blogger or influencer flaunt this life, you would see them working out of hipster coffee shops, on the beach and by the pool. Looks ideal right? Hmm not so sure. Let me tell you the reality. Working out of coffee shops for more than an hour is a nightmare. The Wi-Fi is slow, the seats are uncomfortable, the tables can be dirty, there is a lot of noise and distractions and of course who will look after your stuff when you need to use the toilet? I personally found coffee shops are ideal for 30 minutes to quickly catch up on emails or backup footage.
What about the beach? Well 4 things will happen for sure. You will get sand everywhere. Under the keyboard, in your bag, everywhere. You will not see your screen even at max brightness. Maybe if you’re in the shade it might be better… but not always. Your laptop will overheat. Bright sun, a hot climate and large metal tech don’t mix well. Finally your battery will drain like crazy. Oh and don’t get me started on sitting posture. As for the pool, it’s the same issue minus the sand. Again a great place to quickly catch up on emails and do some admin but not for serious work. The coffee shop/ beach / pool is for chilling out. All my serious work is done in my hotel / Airbnb. All my really serious work is done at my home base between trips.
Inability to switch off
There are 3 types of digital nomads. The first is an employee that works remotely. The second is a freelancer that works with a number of clients and to strict deadlines outside of their control. The third is an entrepreneur who has their own business they can manage remotely. I fall into the third category and although it is the one that affords me the most freedom and full control of my schedule, it is also the one that has the most guilt that comes when you’re not working and moving it forward. Perhaps it’s just me but I have found it hard to fully switch off from working. Even this very blog I am writing on a flight home while others are watching a movie, sleeping or looking at the amazing mountains down below. I do not yet have the answers on how to manage this. I am still working it out. I have simply stated this as an observation.
Needing a base
This is a recent realisation and one that I saw coming eventually… just not this soon. At about 13 months into this nomadic life, I got fed up of not having a base. Somewhere where I can just come back to between trips and relax. Somewhere familiar and somewhere where I keep stuff that I might not need for a specific trip. The first 13 months were literally lived out of 2 bags. But very soon I got sick of it. Now I am renting a small room in London. It has a bed, a wardrobe for all my stuff and a desk. It has a large monitor, an ergonomic chair and all the creature comforts. There is a park 2 minutes away and a gym down the road too. A 30 minute tube and I’m in central London. After a long and intensive 3 month trip, I can’t explain how much I look forward to coming back to base and just relaxing for a week. Also it gives me a stress free environment to work and finish all edits and products without the fear of missing out on a location. Most importantly it is in my home town. This means that when I am back I can still maintain my friendships and relationships. For now this is just a room but I plan to have a whole apartment in the coming years.