Digital Nomadism: myths debunked! an allWomen talk
If you could live and work anywhere, where would you go first? Have you ever wondered what life would be like as a digital nomad?
A digital nomad is a remote worker who travels to different locations regularly. They can work from coffee shops, coworking spaces, public libraries, or any other place as long as there is reliable wi-fi.
Digital Nomadism is a trend that has recently gained momentum due to the COVID-19 pandemic and we believe that it is here to stay. According to a survey conducted by MBO partners, the number of digital nomads increased from 7.3 million in 2019 to 10.9 million in 2020. Predictions point to this number growing to one billion within the next decade. Accurate or not, this figure points to an undeniable change in the way humans choose to live and work.
We are two allWomen alumni who have experienced this lifestyle firsthand and are here to share our findings with you.
What are some of the different Digital Nomad styles?
Freelancer vs Employee — A March 2021 research report from the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) outlined the profile of digital nomads as freelancers who work for multiple companies (36%), business owners (33%), or regular employees who work for a specific company (21%).
Creative vs Tech — Or anything in between… Here is a list of the most common jobs for Digital Nomads.
If your job can be done with a laptop and high-speed internet connection you too can be a digital nomad!
Introvert vs Extrovert — There is no one size fits all, or one personality fits all when it comes to digital nomads. Whether you consider yourself an introvert, extrovert, or an ambivert like us, Digital Nomadism may be the lifestyle for you. In Digital Nomadism as in life, we are all about finding a good balance of introspective and social moments that keep us happy and in our zone. And believe us, there will be plenty of opportunities to socialize as a digital nomad! At the same time, traveling is the perfect opportunity to introspect and do some soul-searching.
Fast vs Slow — According to recent stats most digital nomads travel slow, with only 17% visiting more than 5 countries per year. In our personal experience, new nomads tend to travel faster, as they are eager to see everything and everywhere… They soon realize that it is not sustainable or as enjoyable to move that often so after a while, they tend to ease into a slower traveling pace. Most digital nomads prefer to stay 3 to 6 months in one place to settle into a routine and become part of a community.
Nature vs City — The COVID-19 pandemic generated a global movement of people from cities to natural environments and as good nomads, we followed this urban exodus. Good weather and a low cost of living are the two main considerations for your typical digital nomad. It’s not a coincidence that ATTA shows that Indonesia, Mexico, Thailand, Spain, Colombia, and Portugal are the top destinations for long stays.
What are some of the biggest myths we’ve heard as digital nomads?
❌ Digital nomads can work from anywhere
Reliable internet is the number one must-have for digital nomads! How many beaches do you know that have reliable internet? Over half of digital nomads (52%) rated finding reliable wifi as one of the top challenges of the nomadic lifestyle. When working long hours on your laptop, a suitable space, an ergonomic chair, and a quiet room for meetings are all must-haves. A good resource for finding suitable workplaces is the Workfrom app.
❌ Digital nomads work fewer hours per day
The previously mentioned ATTA study reports that digital nomads work on average 46hrs a week. A different study by Project Untethered reports that 70% of digital nomads work no more than 40hrs per week. Despite the different figures what is certain is that your typical digital nomad works no less than a non-remote employee. In fact, some of the top challenges reported by digital nomads are always being available and working too much.
❌ Our life is one long holiday
This couldn’t be further from the truth! An analysis of several thousand work-from-home studies by Global Workplace Analytics shows that remote workers are 35% to 40% more productive than their fellow office workers.
A Flexjobs study of more than 2,100 people who worked remotely during the pandemic reports that:
- 68% have fewer interruptions when working remotely
- 55% say lack of office politics is a huge bonus
- 68% are more productive thanks to a quieter work environment
- 63% enjoy more focus time when remote
❌ Only tech people can work remotely
This is by no means the case! Although it is common for digital nomads to be freelancers and/or work in tech, due to the flexible and digital nature of these jobs, their professions range from engineers to designers, creatives, and marketers. According to 4000+ survey responses from the English-speaking digital nomad community across the globe, marketing, computer sciences/IT, design, writing, and eCommerce account for 51% of all reported digital nomad professions.
❌ This lifestyle is only for people in their 20s
Studies show that 44% of all nomads are Millennials (between 26 and 41 years old), while 21% are Gen Z. The average digital nomad age in 2021 was 32 years old. In 2019, 27% of all digital nomads were Boomers but due to the higher risk of COVID-19 infection, many decided to return to the safety of their homes. Late 2021 data shows Baby Boomers now make up just 12% of digital nomads, but this number could rise again in coming years.
What are some of the pros and cons of being a Digital Nomad?
What are some of our tips and advice to make the most of life as a Digital Nomad?
Don’t fall into the trap of trying to do too much
It’s easy to feel tempted by all the novelty around you: new places to visit, new people to meet, events to attend, etc. Your tendency when you arrive in a new country will be to try to see every region, every beach, every mountain, and every plain. It’s ok to want to do it all but we recommend pacing yourself or you will start to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out.
Travel and live in a community
In addition to staying in touch with friends and family, digital nomads long to belong to a local community. Digital nomads use Facebook groups heavily to connect with others locally and get recommendations on where to stay, places to go, things to do and not to do. In our experience, life is richer when you feel like you are part of a community rather than a lone wolf traveling the world. As the prototype nomad found out:
Plan and set yourself a budget
The digital nomad lifestyle requires extra planning if you want it to be financially sustainable. Websites like NomadList can help you anticipate your spending and again, Facebook groups can be a good ally to source the best deals for accommodation, activities, and experiences. Don’t be afraid to bargain when you feel like you can get more bang for your buck, especially if you are staying somewhere for an extended period. However, be aware of the local market and try to strike a deal that is beneficial for both parties, even if it means that you are paying a bit more than the locals do.
Immerse in the culture and give back to the locals
Being able to travel constantly, experiencing different cultures, and meeting local people are the top reasons for living the digital nomad lifestyle. As a digital nomad, you are responsible for understanding the reality in the places you visit and trying to contribute to the well-being of the local community.
Be mindful of where you choose to spend your nomad dollar, prioritizing locally run businesses and businesses that have a positive impact on the local communities. A good resource for digital nomads that want to give back to the local communities is the Nomads Giving Back website.
Mind your footprint 👣
Always keep this in mind! The more often you travel and switch places the less environmentally friendly your lifestyle is going to be. CO2 emissions and single-use plastic should always be minimized but there are plenty of other ways to strive to live a more eco-conscious life as a nomad. If you are running a business as a digital nomad you can also try to mitigate the environmental impact of your lifestyle through your business practices. There are tons of resources out there on how to live a more sustainable life as a digital nomad. Here are only a few to get you started:
Don’t be afraid to dive in!
