How to Adjust to Your New Lifestyle as a Digital Nomad
As someone who may have not liked the mundanity of the 9 to 5 grind, becoming a digital nomad is probably one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. Unlike a typical desk job, the career track of a digital nomad is more flexible and allows more time to focus on personal growth. You may also have more freedom to travel whenever and wherever you want—which, for many digital nomads, is the biggest perk that comes with the job.
But even if this lifestyle sounds quite carefree in theory, it may be harder to adjust to it in practice. Apart from constantly looking for stable, work-from-anywhere job opportunities, you’ll also have to be proactive about choosing the right destinations to visit and the right ways to maximise your resources.
To that end, here are some tips for adjusting to your new career as smoothly as possible and making the transition both an enjoyable and productive one:
1) Make Sure That You Always Have Access to the Internet
A reliable internet connection is every digital nomad’s best friend. Without it, you won’t be able to send or receive emails, or even access the documents you’ve stored in the cloud.
Although having good internet has become a basic necessity, it isn’t available everywhere. There’s a possibility that you’ll find yourself travelling in an area with zero Wi-Fi or a poor connection. That’s why it’s a good idea to research ahead about the quality of the internet connection of any place you book, as well as in the cafés or co-working spaces you plan to work in. This will help you avoid any frustrations and wasted time when you’re trying to connect to the internet.
You should also consider getting a local SIM card with data, as this can be a lifesaver when your primary connection fails. For example, if the internet connection at a café you’re visiting in Singapore suddenly slows down, you can use the data from one of the best sim only plans in the city and continue to work as usual.
2) Research the Work-From-Anywhere Job Market
If you shift from a traditional office job to a career as a digital nomad, you’ll also need to shift your job market perspective. It will be crucial for you to research the work-from-anywhere job market to help you understand this change and to be able to apply it to key aspects of your lifestyle, like your finances.
You’d want to start your search in job sectors and industries that are known for their flexibility in hiring remote workers. These often include tech, content writing, marketing, multimedia, and customer support. Use online job boards that specialise in providing jobseekers with remote job opportunities so that you can get a clearer picture of your job prospects and the types of roles that best align with your skills and goals.
3) Plan Your Travels Ahead
You’ll also want to be a more proactive planner about your travels so that you can fully enjoy them and stay productive in your career at the same time. There are a lot of things you’ll need to prepare for in your new life as a digital nomad, with some of the most pressing matters being the following:
- Places of accommodation
- Visa requirements
- Travel insurance
- Living expenses
- Work-related costs
- Emergency savings
Preparing meticulously for these things will ensure that you’ll experience fewer disruptions and delays while working or travelling, giving you peace of mind and letting you truly settle into your new lifestyle.
4) Consider Upskilling
The digital landscape is continuously evolving, and staying competitive as a digital nomad often requires upskilling. As technology and trends change, updating your skill set will keep you relevant in the job market and allow you to sustain your chosen way of life.
Consider enrolling in online courses or obtaining certifications that can improve or diversify your skill set. Honing your abilities and learning complementary skills can open doors to more advanced positions or higher-paying opportunities, increasing your chances of success in your new lifestyle.
5) Travel Slow to Maintain a Good Work-Life Balance
While travel is a distinct privilege of the digital nomad life, it’s in your best interest to take things slow especially when you’re just starting out. Remember that rapid travel can lead to exhaustion and burnout. And if you’re physically, emotionally, and mentally drained, your work performance is also sure to suffer.
Pacing your travels allows you to maintain your productivity and creativity. It also lets you stay in one place longer, giving you more time to immerse yourself in the local culture and build meaningful connections.
6) Set Clear Boundaries between Work and Travel-Related Matters
There’s no question that your new career will afford you a lot of freedom, which can make it hard to stay productive sometimes. That’s why you’ll want to make the extra effort to establish clear boundaries between work- and travel-related matters. Separating the two will allow you to stay focused during work hours and fully immerse yourself in the travel experience during your off-hours.
To achieve this, engineer a structured daily routine that allocates specific hours for work and leisure. Your schedule will allow you to maintain a balance between your professional responsibilities and making good on your freedom.
You may no longer work at a boring office job, but you’re still a professional who wants to gain momentum in their career. Use these tips to ensure a fruitful start to your life as a digital nomad—one that will have you glad that you took such a big risk.
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