You have only worked 3 hours this week and life is good.
This is the picture many remote based influencers paint for their audience.
And although it looks good aesthetically on the gram, they have conveniently missed out many aspects of location independence.
Are you disappointed yet?
Well don’t be! It’s not all beaches and bikinis, but there are huge advantages to attaining this lifestyle.
I’m here to bust some myths so you can make an informed decision as to whether location independence is something you want to pursue.
Here are the top 10 myths of being a digital nomad:
10. To become a digital nomad you need to have a huge social media following
Reality:
Sure, there are a lot of entrepreneurs and influencers who have cultivated large social media followings to lock in their position in the digital nomad industry.
But what if I told you…
You don’t need a social media following at all.
No Instagram.
No Twitter.
No TikTok.
Is that a relief or what? Now you don’t have to worry about posting “the perfect” selfie with the right lighting.
Digital nomads work in a variety of industries and if the industry you are in doesn’t rely on social media to be monetized you are in the clear!
This brings me onto our next myth:
9. You better be a Silicone Valley Tech guy to succeed as a nomad
Reality:
If you aren’t in the tech sphere all is not lost. You can still achieve your life long dream of becoming a digital nomad.
Did you know that with a bit of outside the box thinking, you can also become a digital nomad whilst working in:
- Photography and videography
- Health and Fitness
- Sales
- Tutoring
- Journalism
- HR
Move over Silicon Valley, let’s not gatekeep the digital nomad space.
8. Digital nomads don’t have savings
Reality:
You may be thinking that life on the road is super expensive and to be able to continue living this lifestyle nomads must live paycheck to paycheck.
Now while some people do that, I wouldn’t recommend it and it doesn’t have to be the only way.
With the right strategies and best practices you can set yourself up very well financially so when that rainy day finally arrives (and trust me, it will!) you aren’t blindsided with panic.
I always recommend nurturing your financial status to mitigate risks throughout your life, even if you are not a digital nomad.
7. Digital nomads only work a few hours a week
Reality:
Sorry to disappoint you but this is far from the truth, especially if you are just starting out.
Yes, you may get to a point where you can outsource tasks and scale your business to allow you more freedom but I won’t sugarcoat this.
Being a business owner takes a huge amount of grit and perseverance. It’s not for the faint hearted.
If you are willing to put your all into making your business work you can certainly reap the benefits, but do expect to have clients messaging you at all hours of the day.
Afterall, if you are a global business, you probably have global clients.
On a side note: putting systems in place will help you lower your working hours and reduce the likelihood of things becoming overwhelming.
6. If you are a digital nomad, that means you are homeless
Reality:
Remember when I told you that savvy nomads put financial strategies in place to mitigate risk?
Well you don’t have to give up your roots entirely to travel full time.
Some nomads may choose to rent out their house while they are on the road.
Extra income, check!
5. You have to be traveling 100% of the time
The beauty of this lifestyle is that nothing has to be completely black and white.
Some nomads work from home exclusively and will only move if they see an opportunity to grow their income elsewhere, whether that be for tax purposes, changes in local government policies that don’t suit them or career opportunities.
Others may adopt a “slow travel” mindset and only travel for 6 months out of the year.
Choice is a wonderful thing in a digital nomads life.
4. You can only become a digital nomad if you are young
Reality:
Why put limits on yourself?
It’s not too late for you to take control of your life.
Even if you’re “retired” but want to work part time you can still adopt this lifestyle.
Life really is what you make it!
3. Life as a digital nomad is always luxurious
Reality:
Let’s rephrase this:
“Life as a digital nomad CAN be luxurious.”
Don’t get me wrong, waking up to beautiful sunrises in exotic places has its perks.
BUT…
Don’t get it twisted. With good comes annoying.
Breaking down in the middle of nowhere being stranded isn’t a huge selling point.
Neither is losing the only internet connection available to you on an important call.
Of course you can organie yourself to lower the chances of these things happening but setting realistic expectations will help you get into this lifestyle with a clear mind.
2. Becoming a digital nomad will help you find yourself
Reality:
It has always bothered me when I hear people taking gap years or extended gap years and then saying that travel enables you to “find yourself.”
Although travel gives you once in a lifetime experiences, and allows you to bathe yourself in culture, I don’t think that extended travel is a bandaid to knowing your true self.
I also don’t believe that travel will solve all your life problems.
If anything, every decision results in an outcome.
And new outcomes can mean new problems.
Don’t be afraid of seeking help from a professional if you need it. You are more likely to succeed with a healthy mindset and you will be able to make logical, well thought out decisions because you took the time to prioritise your mental health.
1. The majority of digital nomads work by lounging on the beach.
Reality:
Bye bye bikini.
I hate to break it to you but getting sand in your laptop is super annoying.
Don’t even get me started on dousing your electronics in water.
Here’s my solution. Work remotely in practical places and then do your beach lounging in your off times.
Sounds like a good compromise to me!
So here’s to the realities of being a digital nomad! The good, the bad and the beaches all in one!
Do any of these myths surprise you?
Have you experienced any of these in your nomad journey?
Let me know in the comments below.
