4 Nuggets of Wisdom for Digital Nomads

Life as a digital nomad can be both beautiful and fulfilling at the same time, but it does come with its fair share of challenges. Freedom, while allowing you to explore the world’s most hidden corners, can also be overwhelming. Suddenly, you find yourself with the need to secure a roof over your head and hop around multiple locations in a world where nothing is guaranteed. There may be connectivity issues and cyber crooks that prey on the unwary. Can you navigate the foreign waters while still keeping your daily productive output as high as it needs to be to make it through? Don’t lose your head – we’ve made it easier for you by summarizing the most important takeaways below.

1. Connectivity comes first

As a digital nomad, connectivity you can rely on is a must. After all, deadlines are looming, and you need to submit your assignments on time. In other words, your very existence and the ability to earn a living depends on you being able to access the internet at all times, so you need to treat it with the seriousness it deserves. This is the exact reason why many digital nomads who found their home in Europe swear by eSIM in europe. They don’t want to take the gamble on local WiFi; furthermore, eSIM cards tend to be a much better alternative to data roaming because the costs are foreseeable.

In essence, these function exactly like physical SIM cards, with the added benefit of saving you the trouble of having to pick your phone apart to install them. Certain eSIM plans in New York also come with unlimited data, so make sure to pick the one that best suits your needs and the region you’ll be visiting. In order to get an eSIM to work on your phone, you need to make sure it’s compatible with it first. As a general rule of thumb, the newer the model, the greater the likelihood of it being compatible, but it never hurts to check beforehand.

2. Network with like-minded people

If you find yourself living in a foreign country, it’s important to find someone who will have your back when the going gets tough. This can be something as simple as giving you moral support when you feel like quitting or bringing you groceries when you’re sick and confined to the bed. More often than not, you’re going to spend a good portion of the day isolated in your condo, working on whatever project that requires your attention. Secluding yourself like this for a prolonged period of time isn’t exactly the best thing for your mental health – after all, human beings are wired to be social.

There is also the issue of maintaining that ever-eluding productivity with so many distractions to lure you in. Networking with other digital nomads in your area is bound to make it easier to learn all the latest and greatest productivity tricks practiced by real people. Not only that, you will also learn more about the industries they’re involved in. To find one of these groups, you can start by checking out a local coworking spot. Alternatively, there is likely to be a dedicated digital nomad Facebook group in your area.

Read also: The 3 Best Destinations to Be a Digital Nomad in Latin America

3. Get good at sniffing out affordable places to stay

If you're a digital nomad who’s on a tight budget, you should do what you can to make your dollar go as far as it possibly can. Granted, this is easier to do in countries where living costs are inexpensive, but there is a bargain to be found anywhere if you’re willing to look closely enough. In general, hostels will always be more affordable compared to regular hotel rooms, but if you know that you’ll be spending a couple of months in a certain country well in advance, finding a long-term rental will be your best bet.

Another cool trick to optimize your spending is teaming up with a roommate, thus effectively slashing your rental costs in half. Ideally, this would be another digital nomad who will encourage you on your journey, but don’t limit yourself if you can’t find one; living with a local can also be an unforgettable experience (and a money-saver).

4. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket

Having access to multiple streams of income becomes that much more important when you’re left to your own devices in a foreign country. Don’t count on being able to claim social security benefits in the country you’re staying – your plans may not come to fruition (or there may not even be a support system to take advantage of in the first place).

The solution is to always have a side gig you can fall back to in case your plan A does not come to fruition for whatever reason. Do you have marketable skills you can offer? Consider signing up for freelancing platforms like Upwork. This can be especially lucrative if you’re proficient at one of the main three creative crafts: programming, writing, or graphic design.

Conclusion

As fulfilling as it can be, being a digital nomad introduces challenges you wouldn’t have by working a traditional 9-5 job. With the help of these tips, may you have a pleasant time living life by your own rules!