How to Test The Digital Nomad Lifestyle

The nutty crumble of a good Scottish cheddar, my nephews’ cheeky giggles and wrapping up in winter-wear – yes, even in the summer! There were lots of reasons for making the journey home and a lot of barriers too, luckily for me, work was not one of them. As a digital entrepreneur, I can pretty much work from anywhere, so I decided to put it to the test and trial the life of a digital nomad.

The plan was simple – hop on a plane, touch down in Edinburgh, meet my partner and enjoy the Scottish fresh air. But that’s not what travel plans look like anymore, they also have a few too many PCR tests, a 10-day pit-stop in an 'amber listed country followed by a 10-day dose of quarantining to top it off. I made a plan, I thought it over, I took a leap and the next thing I knew I was on a sunny balcony with the Sagrada La Familia in front of me, a glass in my hand and my mentors all booked in for Zoom calls. 

What Is A Digital Nomad & Why Become One

A digital nomad is someone who is location independent, meaning they can work from anywhere in the world and can achieve this by working digitally using online tools. In late 2018, a survey was conducted of 500 digital nomads and these are some of the results:

• Why do people want to become  digital nomads

Work-life balance (73%), enjoy the freedom (68%), love to travel (55%), avoid office politics and distractions of a traditional work environment (43%), want to explore other cultures (37%), high cost of living in home country (30%), poor local job market in hometown (24%)

• Top challenges for digital nomads

Finding reliable Wi-Fi (52%); finding a good place to work (42%), networking (35%), time zones (29%), work communications (20%)

I definitely came face to face with some of those pitfalls and even met a few curveballs along the way. However, I also had some tricks up my sleeve! Who knew that my years as an air hostess, a stylist, a meticulous planner and a digital entrepreneur would prepare me so well for the challenges of a Digital Nomad. So here are my top tips on how to become a temporary digital nomad.

How-To Digital Nomad

1.     0 Hundred Hours…

Follow Local Time ASAP - My days of zipping across the skies with Emirates Airlines taught me to immediately flip into local time. Don't follow your home time zone, you will constantly be confused, disorientated and running behind. A Circadian rhythm is real people! Help your sleep-wake cycle readjust by being outside as much as possible the first few days, this will help your brain stimulate signals that generate alertness.

2.     Create a Routine & Settle In

Setting a daily routine creates structure - This helps us reach our goals and reduces procrastination. Don’t worry, your days will be full of the unexpected even when sticking to a schedule. I tried to replicate as much of my home routine as possible; I found a gym that was within walking distance to my hotel on my first day in Barcelona and I made sure to do the same in Scotland. Even the simple act of moving your clothes from your suitcase to a draw can help you feel settled enough to sit down and get to work. No one likes to live out of a suitcase spending hours, ironing or locating their own clothing – it certainly won’t help with finding a routine. 

3.     ‘Digital Nomad’ Not Digital No-Friends

 You’re in a new place, with a new way of working and all that newness can make you miss a bit of the ‘old’ - Regardless of whether you're used to a solitary life, the absence of home comforts such as familiar foods, friends, café’s, or even climate can create a void you never knew existed. By sharing face to face, IRL human interaction you can share that experience and distract yourself from the mundane. I made it my mission to meet people whether it was bar staff at the hotel, gym bunnies or regulars to the hotel lobby and it made a huge difference. 

 4.     Self-management  

Set yourself targets – It’s easy to get sidelined by pretty cobbled roads, a glistening beach and if you’re like me – boutique shopping. So set yourself some boundaries without saying no; by giving yourself daily or even weekly targets, you have all the time in your world for the right amount of distraction. We all know I’m the Goal Queen but even my ticked off boxes were a lot fewer than usual. 

5.     Locate Your Nook or Two

Find different working spaces – you will want to set aside some time whilst exploring the city to pay attention to suitable places to work from. You’ll need more than just the one because a change of scenery is good for production! This might be a coffee shop, a library, a local park or a creative studio. Also, make sure to ask if they have WiFi before you sit down and get too comfy – I made this mistake in Spain... I mean who doesn’t have WiFi these days!? (turns out, lots of coffee shops in Europe).

 6.     Be Realistic

Once I’d gotten to Scotland I had a lot more distractions that I didn’t want to keep saying no to - there were family, friends (and new babies) who I hadn’t seen in ages. So, I decided to set myself a 3 ½ day week rather than suffering guilt for neglecting my work or my loved ones. It helped me strike a good balance and reminded me that I took on the digital nomad lifestyle to enjoy it, not be burdened by it. I also had to let my family and friends know that I wasn’t on a permanent holiday and which dates/times I was available.

That was how I survived 2 months away as a digital nomad. I returned feeling refreshed and inspired and despite not having a traditional summer holiday, I definitely felt more at peace than I had been whilst separated from my family and friends for so long. If I could only give you one take-away from my experience it would be that perspectives matter! Being a digital nomad can be fun, lonely, exciting, scary, full of opportunity and cost lots of money and your mindset may be the deciding factor.

Think You’re Ready to Be a Digital Nomad? 

If you think you’re ready to trial the digital nomad lifestyle then it’s time to ask yourself some key questions:

·      Can you self-motivate and hustle on the quiet days?

·      What do you want to achieve from a digital nomad lifestyle – are these a part of your goals?

·      Are you resilient, able to adjust to situations quickly?

·      Do you have decision-making skills and the gumption to stick by them? 

·       Are you able to tough it out when the pipe bursts outside your hotel meaning no running water and no more hotel lobby and WiFi to fall back on? OK, so that probably won’t happen to you but I was less than pleased rolling my suitcase wheels over the Barcelonan cobbled streets to find a new residence in peak-holiday season.

Love to know your experience if this is something you have tried or are considering. Drop me a DM.