What is digital nomading?
Some thoughts on what digital nomading is, some tips and tricks, and articles worth reading
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Hello friend,
I got this question once: what is digital nomading?
On a day-to-day basis, I’m active on social media, and I’m surrounded by different people.
Most of them are entrepreneurs who work on their own apps, freelancers, programmers, influencers, content creators, you name it.
There’s a higher chance they’ve heard about this concept of digital nomading.
But in the real world, maybe only a few know what that actually means.
What is digital nomading?
Not sure how to define it, so let’s ask some AI friends. These are the answers I got:
ChatGPT:
Digital nomading is a lifestyle where someone works remotely while traveling and living in different places instead of staying in one fixed location.
In simple terms, a digital nomad uses the internet to do their job and can work from anywhere—like cafés, coworking spaces, hotels, or even the beach.Claude:
Digital nomading is a lifestyle where people use technology to work remotely while traveling and living in different locations around the world, rather than being tied to one place or a traditional office.
The core idea is that as long as you have a laptop and a reliable internet connection, your work can go wherever you go — whether that's a café in Lisbon, a co-working space in Bali, or an Airbnb in Buenos Aires.Gemini:
At its core, digital nomading is a lifestyle choice that swaps the traditional office desk for a laptop and a passport. It’s the practice of working remotely while traveling from place to place, rather than being tethered to a specific physical location.
Think of it as the ultimate "work-from-anywhere" setup, where your "office" might be a Balinese café one month and a co-working space in Medellín the next.Some personal considerations
⭐️ You’re not in vacation. In reality, we all have to or want to work. Even if it seems surreal, traveling is very difficult and tiring.
⭐️ There’s this concept of slowmading: moving from one place to another every 1-2 weeks isn’t sustainable. If you want this lifestyle, consider staying at least one month in one place.
⭐️ What’s the benefit of this lifestyle, if you’re not in vacation all day? When you finish your workday, you can explore the new city, enjoy the food, and live like a local. This sparks the creativity so much, and teaches you so much about you, about your life, and about others.
⭐️ Out of your comfort zone. (I don’t like the cliche, but I had to use it). When you leave your cozy home and the town you know so well, you’re challenged in a different way.
When I heard it for the first time, it sounded super strange, but it is true: you’re somehow alone in a new city and you’re starting all over again. That helps you develop so many skills and instincts for taking care of yourself and your significant other.
Being home is a comfort zone, and a safe space, but when traveling, you become someone else because of the situations that are way different. And it feels great.
Why did I start digital nomading
Meeting other people in real life is so much better than talking to them online.
I’m not a full-time digital nomad, meaning I don’t travel all the time. I still live in Romania, and I enjoy this country. I live in a small city, called Alba Iulia. People are relaxed, and the life is kind of slow here.
But sometimes I miss meeting other app builders and remote workers. As they say: there’s something in the air of these big cities where digital nomads and remote workers meet.
Earlier this year I’ve been to Chiang Mai, Thailand, and I enjoyed the atmosphere so much. I found out that whenever I travel and meet other people, I’m so much more productive. Not to say that winter in Eastern Europe is not great.
Also, traveling changes you, it challenges you in different ways. And I like this. Nothing special happens in a small city, therefore you’re stuck in a comfort zone. Traveling takes you out of that.
Recommendations
If there’s one newsletter I recommend from the bottom of my heart, it is the publication of Eddie and Sara Jaoude:
They’ve been having this lifestyle for 10 years. Traveling is something really meaningful to them, and I’ve been so inspired by them in doing this.
All the posts are well written and so well documented, and I couldn’t decide which one to include. So I’m sharing two articles with you:
I really enjoy reading your posts every week but seeing the shoutout to our Substack was such a (lovely) shock! I also really like what you said about being out of your "comfort zone". I too don't love that expression - especially because I do like my comforts - but there are so many experiences that would not have happened for me if I hadn't travelled!
Great post as always!! Thank you is much for the great shoutouts 🔥