The Life of a Part-Time Digital Nomad
Is it possible to be a part-time digital nomad?
If so, what does that even look like?
And, the lifestyle that everyone’s portraying on social media - is it even real?
That’s what we’re diving into with this blog post.
Introduction
What comes to your mind when you hear the term “digital nomad?”
It’s a loaded term, for sure.
Ironically, what’s been a movement against a mainstream narrative has become a box of its own.
People out there will tell you that you’re only a digital nomad if you do this, or have that.
But I’m here to say all of that is bullshit.
It can look however you want for it to look.
Digital Nomad Definition: What is a Digital Nomad?
What is a digital nomad, anyway?
It’s an ever-evolving term.
What was once a fringe lifestyle has now turned into something that’s more accessible and flexible.
At its core, a Digital Nomad is anyone who makes money online from anywhere in the world.
It’s the new way of business, honestly.
Most people don’t need to go into an office or work at the same building every day.
In fact, I’d argue that’s actually super unhealthy for us.
I chose a different lifestyle - one that includes and prioritizes travel.
One that allows me to see the world while making a living.
And if you’re reading this, you’re a part of that - so thank you.
Who Can Be a Digital Nomad?
Despite what some will tell you, anyone can be a digital nomad.
Race, gender, age, education level, experience, it’s more about who you ARE.
Are you determined? Persistent? Resilient? Hard-working? Flexible?
Can you solve problems?
Because, aside from figuring out how you’ll actually make money while traveling the world, there are constantly other things to figure out.
Here are just a few of the problems I’ve faced while traveling:
Lost my ID and wallet while traveling (click here to read the blog post)
Missed my flight
Got dumped on a beach in Mexico
Arrived at the airport only to find out I didn’t have a flight
Couldn’t connect to WiFi when I needed to work
Lost reception while exploring caves, deserts, hiking mountains, or in small remote cities
Got dropped off at the wrong airport
Had an airline lose my luggage
Got stuck on the East Coast during a hurricane and a canceled music festival
It’s easy to look at the photos and videos on my Instagram profile and assume everything is perfect, but it hasn’t been and it never will be.
But my life is my own, and there’s absolutely nothing I would exchange for that freedom.
What is a Part-Time Digital Nomad?
Though being a digital nomad isn’t the norm, there are some common misconceptions about (and even with) people in this global community.
Many people think you have to live on the road in an RV, or that you have to do van life.
You don’t.
Some say you have to be willing to move every 2, to 3, to 4 weeks.
You don’t.
Others still will say that you’re not really a digital nomad unless you’re living abroad, but that’s not true either.
You get to pick what you do, how you do it, and where you live.
I have a house in the Midwest, which is my home base.
I choose not to travel full-time, and yet - I’m still a part-time digital nomad.
My business is done completely online
I’m traveling several months out of the year
When I’m not leading group trips, I’m scouting locations for group trips
I don’t have work-life balance; my work is integrated into my life
It’s definitely not for everyone, especially that last part.
But what’s so fascinating to me, is the fact that BEING a digital nomad is about going against the norms and conventions of society.
And yet, the digital nomad global community has created these boundaries and barriers to make it seem like some kind of exclusive club.
FUCK THAT.
You want to live in a van and work from a laptop? Do it. You’re a digital nomad.
Wanna have a house that you use as a homebase and travel part of the year? Do it. You’re still a digital nomad.
The only difference between being a part-time digital nomad and a full-time digital nomad is having a permanent home residence that I live in sometimes.
This is not my home
Is Being a Digital Nomad Worth It?
Now, the question you’re probably dying to know - is being a digital nomad worth it?
On some days? Honestly, no. It isn’t.
It can be incredibly stressful, overwhelming, and exhausting.
It’s hard to work when you don’t have consistency or a routine. Half the time I live out of suitcases and by the time I unpack, it’s time to pack up again.
Sometimes I miss out on milestones or daily experiences that others with “normal lives” are having.It’s hard to maintain relationships, date, or see my friends and family when I am home.
But then, there are some days when my whole heart is on fire and my soul feels fully alive.
THOSE moments and THOSE days are the ones that make being a digital nomad worth it.
I’ve seen the vast and expansive Sahara Desert in Morocco.
I’ve met some of my best friends all over the world.
I’ve had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to be in Mexico City during día de los muertos and dance with strangers at a Kurdish wedding I crashed in Cappadocia, Turkey.
And then, of course there are the daily perks, like:
Not having a boss
Being able to wake up whenever I want
Having full and total control over my own life
Enjoying absolute freedom to go where I want, when I want
Traveling all the time
So, is being a digital nomad worth it?
For me, yes.
But is it worth it for you?
You might have to just try it for yourself.
What are the Downsides of Being a Digital Nomad?
Social media is weird.
It’s the highlight reel, and most people aren’t willing to share the bad things, or the hard things.
There are downsides to being a digital nomad, no matter how fun and glamorous it is.
It can be exhausting.
I love travel, but it can be a lot to be gone for weeks or months at a time. And when it’s traveling for work, it’s so different from a vacation.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to have a routine.
This makes it hard to stay healthy, get enough sleep, eat well, keep up with laundry, errands, and all that.
Because you’re not ‘clocking out,’ it can feel like you’re ‘always on.’
It can be really hard to relax. There’s always something on my mind, and there are always a million things to do. I never stop.
Honestly, these are things that any entrepreneur can probably relate to.
But being a digital nomad can complicate it more, because it’s often harder to just hang out with friends or family members when you’re rarely home.
Loneliness, boredom, exhaustion… these are some of the downsides of being a digital nomad (and honestly, solo travel) that most others don’t talk about.
How Much Money Do You Need to Make to Be a Digital Nomad?
So, how much money do you need to have, or make, to be a digital nomad?
Well - how long is a piece of a string?
There are a million factors when considering this:
Will you work remotely?
Are you doing freelancing work (and, by hour? Retainer? As an employee?)?
Is your work seasonal?
Which skills do you currently have?
How much do you have in your savings?
Do you have credit cards or accounts to fall back on while you’re building this thing?
Where will you be living?
What do your bills look like?
Will you be maintaining all of the bills and assets you have now (if you have any)?
As you can see, it’s a pretty impossible question for me to answer for you.
But, if you’re curious about this, you can always ask what people are doing in my Facebook Group.
Those who are living that lifestyle in my group are super open to sharing.
How Much Money Do Digital Nomads Make?
You might be wondering how much money digital nomads can make.
Like the question above, it’s hard to give an accurate answer… somewhere between $0 and $10,000 a month (kidding, kinda).
There are a million and one ways to make this lifestyle work - but unless you’re an employee at a company, you’re likely going to be building something up over time (a freelancing business, a company, etc) - so you’ll make less at first, unless you’ve already been building it for a while.
If being a digital nomad is something you’d like to do in the future, I recommend setting the foundations now.
Start whatever you’ve been dreaming about as a side-hustle, while you still have the freedom to experiment and explore.
And while you have the stability and financial security of a full-time job.
Best Places to Live for Digital Nomads
This question comes up a LOT in the digital nomad community: what are the best places to live for digital nomads?
It totally depends on your needs, your assets, and your priorities.
If you’re serious about moving to another country as a digital nomad, you’ll want to make sure you have the right visa.
The Nomad Girl has this epic, ultimate list of countries with digital nomad visas for 2023 and beyond.
Some other questions you might want to ask yourself:
What kind of climate do you like?
What’s your monthly budget?
Do you want to be in nature, or do you care about city nightlife?
Are you bringing anyone with you? If so, what are their wants and needs?
Where can your passport take you?
If you want to chat 1:1 about this, my DMs are always open.
Conclusion
If you want to, you can be a digital nomad.
And YOU get to choose how that looks.
Full-time, part-time, seasonal, it’s always and completely up to you.
Don’t let anybody tell you how you can or can’t live your life.
Related Resources
Looking for a community to travel with? Or ways to get more out of your trips?
Here are some ways for you to join our group tour, or learn more:
Join my free Facebook Group!
Want to connect with other like-minded travelers?
Be a part of my free community on Facebook, and be the first to hear about my other upcoming trips.Travel with us!
Sometimes, you want to visit a destination - but you don’t want to go by yourself. Yet, you don’t want to go with a big tour company. Our group trips are the perfect medium.Follow my stories on Instagram.
Many people follow me on Instagram just for my stories, as I always give an in-depth look into all of my off-the-beaten path adventures. It’s great comedic relief too!
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