Is being a Digital Nomad the ideal lifestyle?

If I would have to choose a superpower, it would be to see the outcome of all my decisions before I take them. Right now I’m on the verge of trying out a new lifestyle: that of a digital nomad. I have done my research and crafted an article on how to become a Digital Nomad; it has tips, resources and examples of the various aspects of the freelance world. Still something was missing. It all sounds good in theory, but what if there are some (obvious) things I’m missing? Wouldn’t it be great to get some tips from people that have already been working remotely for a while? I asked five talented travel bloggers and a talented DJ/Producer a few questions about their experiences. In this article I will share their take on the perks, pitfalls and ways of earning money as a digital nomad.

6 Digital Nomads talk about their lifestyles

• Josh Cahill (Travel blogger at Go Travel Your Way)
• Sabrina Iovino (Travel blogger at Just One Way Ticket)
• Roëll de Ram (Travel blogger at We Are Travellers)
• Martijn Huizer (Travel blogger at Reishonger)
• Raymond Walsh (Travel blogger at Man on the Lam)
• Ellroy Uyleman (DJ/Producer at Jarreau Vandal)

Josh Cahill, travel blogger at Go Travel Your Way

“I’m a regular guy and one day I started to do irregular things.”, reads Josh’s blog’s about me section. Josh is a good friend and manages a successful airline blog, making his childhood dream a reality while always looking for new ways to generate income.

What is your experience with being a digital nomad?

Being a digital nomad is anything but easy. It is actually harder than it looks like but in fact I totally love it. I’m very happy that I made the decision to become one and that I actually make a living with my own blog.

Which tips would you give to aspiring digital nomads?

Please don’t become a digital nomad! Alright I’m just kidding but you should think it through wisely. I have a few tips if you are interested in becoming a digital nomad through blogging. First of all: find a great niche. Write about something you are genuinely interested in, something you are passionate about. It took me over 2 years to find a field where I was able to excel in. There is also so much more to the whole blogging thing than you might think; there is so much you need to learn and know. Do your research, create content for a year and start monetizing.

Which part(s) of being a digital nomad was much worse than you expected it to be?

It has never been really bad and I mostly enjoy it. Once you commit yourself to it, you can’t let go of it any more. It is affecting my social life, I rather stay home on the weekends and work on some articles instead of going out with my friends. Plus my friends don’t really think I have a ‘proper’ job. However, I love blogging.

Which part(s) of being a digital nomad was much better than you expected it to be?

Every time I close a deal. It is the best feeling ever. You also get interesting emails! Every morning when I check my emails, I feel a little excited. The coolest companies sometimes reach out to work with you. That is something I really enjoy!

Which part of your “remote work income” allows you to keep being a Digital Nomad? What pays the bills?

I generate most of my income from Google AdSense as well as other similar services. They don’t require much work. I also get commission when readers book through the affiliate links ( such as Booking.com or Kiwi, a flight search engine) on my blog. I also run PR/Marketing campaigns with airlines which are paid for. My income from blogging is always going up and down, but these days I make enough money to feed myself.

How would you describe your perfect place to work (anywhere in the world)?

Somewhere at the beach, wearing nothing but my shorts surrounded by beautiful people with huge, bright smiles while I’m slurping on my coconut. But since I’m an airline blogger I really love spending time at airports, and most of the time I get a lot of work done there.

Visit Josh’s blog: GoTravelYourWay.com

Sabrina Iovino, travel blogger / photographer and content creator at Just One Way Ticket

Sabrina is one of those people that keep popping up on my news feed. Never having met her in real life, I have seen her blog grow rapidly over the years. Her down-to-earth and personal writing style keeps her blog going; her amazing photos and videos keep her readers intent. Even though she’s a top 50 travel blogger, she does not hestitate to help other bloggers grow.

What is your experience with being a digital nomad?

Actually, I don’t like to call myself a digital nomad. I’m a travel blogger, photographer, content creator, and I try my best to inspire people to go travel this beautiful world. I love working in different locations around the world, it never gets boring.

Which tips would you give to aspiring digital nomads?

Anyone who wants to start working online and live location independent should have at least enough savings for one year, that’s usually a good amount of money and time to build an online business and make it work. You can stretch your money by moving to a place with lower living expenses, such as South East Asia or Eastern Europe. There are many places that are flooded with people who work online and you’ll find great communities and support there. Chiang Mai (Thailand) is a good place to start.

Which part(s) of being a digital nomad was much worse than you expected it to be?

Motivating myself and being dedicated to my job. If you are your own boss it’s easy to become lazy. Until today I still haven’t found my ideal routine, which often drives me crazy.

Which part(s) of being a digital nomad was much better than you expected it to be?

Being a travel blogger opened a lot of great opportunities to me. I got invited to fantastic travel destinations, free business class upgrades on flights and tons of freebies. When I started with blogging I had no clue what was awaiting me.

How would you describe your perfect place to work (anywhere in the world)?

There are so many great places, and the good thing about working location independent is that you can change your home anytime you want. I spent 2 months in South Africa, 6 months in the Philippines, more than a year in Chiang Mai, another year in Istanbul and now I’m in Bangkok. I love changing locations every couple months. I haven’t found the perfect place yet, which is not a bad thing because it keeps me moving.

Visit Sabrina’s blog: JustOneWayTicket.com

Roëll de Ram, Dutch travel blogger at We Are Travellers

I have met Roëll through my job in the Dutch travel industry. We had a fun and interesting chat about the perks and downsides of being a blogger, and she contributed to my article on travel games for adults. Her blog is one of the top travel blogs in The Netherlands, focusing on the younger generation (millenials) that have the strong need to travel.

What is your experience with being a digital nomad?

I have my own travel blog which I work on full-time. This allows me to work anywhere in the world at any time, as long as I have Wifi from time to time to upload things. I really enjoy that freedom, as you can plan your days exactly the way you want to and above all you can do the work you love most.

Which tips would you give to aspiring digital nomads?

1. Invest in a good laptop and other gear you might need. You will need a good photo camera when you need to take a lot of pictures or video for your work, and don’t forget to buy a good smartphone that allows you to connect with the outside world and work fast. Nothing can drag you down like waiting for slow equipment, at least that’s my opinion.
2. Teach yourself some discipline and perseverance, if you haven’t already of course. In a “normal job” you are probably used to having a manager or boss who tells you what to finish and when, while as a digital nomad you will have to determine all of this yourself. Therefore it helps to be a go getter by nature and have the discipline to actually finish things as well. A lot of digital nomads will of course have clients who have a deadline in mind for their assignments, but it always helps if you are good at planning and following things through.
3. Make sure you are aware of the cons of working as a digital nomad. Of course, it’s a dream to work where-ever and whenever you would like. But realise that this also means that you won’t have any colleagues, which in itself can be a drawback. It could on one hand be liberating, not having any annoying colleagues that bother you. But it can also be a loss not being able to brainstorm with others or have someone give you that push to show your best side. Other disadvantages are the “abnormal” routines and habits you will develop in comparison to people with more common jobs, which can cause you to live differently than others around you.

Which part(s) of being a digital nomad was much worse than you expected it to be?

Personally, I do miss having colleagues with the same expertise, or colleagues that get you out of your comfort zone and challenge you in a constructive way.

Which part(s) of being a digital nomad was much better than you expected it to be?

I love the freedom and the ability to start projects that you enjoy and deem worth doing.

Which part of your “remote work income” allows you to keep being a Digital Nomad? What pays the bills?

The lion’s share of my income comes from affiliate marketing partners. By putting links to other websites on my blog I get commission when they generate sales or leads.

How would you describe your perfect place to work (anywhere in the world)?

I really enjoy working in a spot with other entrepreneurs, good coffee, a perfect Wifi connection and people that are open for a chat about their daily pursuits during lunch time. This can be in The Netherlands, but just as well at a beach resort in Bali or a hip work space in America.

Visit Roëlle’s blog: WeAreTravellers.nl

Martijn Huizer, Dutch Travel blogger at Reishonger.nl (meaning “travel hunger”)

I have met Martijn through the same travel job that I met Roëll (see above). His broad travel experience and even broader experience with being a digital nomad made him the perfect person to ask for a contribution. His (Dutch) travel blog focuses on backpackers and adventure seekers.

What is your experience with being a digital nomad?

10 years ago, I was one of the first digital nomads in The Netherlands. I am travelling around the world for our website Reishonger.nl. Is has become a top 3 Dutch travel & influencer network. I’m specialised in writing travel reports for independent travellers, outdoor geeks, culture lovers & adventure seekers.

Which tips would you give to aspiring digital nomads?

1. Just do it! When I started, everyone was giving me reasons not to do it. If you have only one personal reason why you should do it, just go for it. Nobody will stop you.
2. Try to inform as many companies as you can think of that your are about to become a digital nomad. Make a kind of CV (or your own blog) and mention the things you can help them with (e.g. social media strategy or support, travel writing, photograpy or video editing). Their are a lot of jobs you can do without physically being at an office.
3. I fully support the tips that blogger Josh mentioned in his answer.

Which part(s) of being a digital nomad was much worse than you expected it to be?

Not a thing. I thought I would miss my colleagues and friends but the reality is that you will make new ones faster than you think. And when you are back home you will find out who your real friends are. They are the ones that didn’t forget about you.

Which part(s) of being a digital nomad was much better than you expected it to be?

Being a digital nomad gave me the highest form of freedom and independency.

Which part of your “remote work income” allows you to keep being a Digital Nomad? What pays the bills?

Advertisements and sponsored articles.

How would you describe your perfect place to work (anywhere in the world)?

My feet in the sand, a view on the sea, sunshine and good wifi ;-).

Visit Martijn’s blog: Reishonger.nl

Raymond Walsh, Travel blogger at ManOnTheLam.com

Just like with Sabrina, I have never met Raymond in person. However his blog has been on my radar for a long time, as I love the consistent visual style of it and the funny, well-written and relatable articles about a man’s craving for escapism. His sometimes brutally honest updates give his blog a very personal touch.

What is your experience with being a digital nomad?

I started my travel blog Man On The Lam six years ago, and in the beginning it was a huge learning curve – I had no idea what I was doing, and I had no idea how I would make money from it. I just took a leap and had faith that things would work out. Things have definitely worked out since I’ve been at it full-time for five and a half years now. My friends back home still have no idea what I do, so I’ve begun to just tell them: “I pull money from the internet.” Quitting my corporate job was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Which tips would you give to aspiring digital nomads?

1. Have some money to fall back on. There will lots of lean months, so having some savings to see you through is going to be important.
2. Be patient. I see a lot of folks that give in or give up far too soon. Don’t expect to see results right away, but do decide at the outset that you’re in it for the long-haul. Some projects may never take off, but don’t think of it as a failure, think of it as a lesson and move on to the next one.
3. Do your research. If I had my time back, I would’ve probably chosen a different name for my website. I didn’t know that “man on the lam” is generally only used in North America, and even then not many North Americans know what it means (that’s why I added an explanation at the top of my blog.) Spend some time researching exactly what type of area you’re getting into, and ask others that are already doing what you want to do. Also, join some Facebook groups related to the topic. I had been travel blogging for 2 years before I even knew that there were Facebook groups dedicated to travel blogging. It would’ve saved me so much time and hassle to be able to reach out and get answers instantly instead of fumbling my way through the web.

Which part(s) of being a digital nomad was much worse than you expected it to be?

Honestly, it can get extremely lonely at times. The hours are long some days, and at times you miss your friends and family back home immensely.

Which part(s) of being a digital nomad was much better than you expected it to be?

One thing I never imagined was the ability to be part of a well-connected network of like-minded individuals. No matter what city or town I visit, there’s always a digital nomad community you can interact with to share ideas or just hang out. And I never realized there would be such great perks. I hate to use the word “free” because a lot of folks think “Oh I’ll just start a travel blog and get heaps of free stuff.” That sort of thinking diminishes its value. There is a lot of work involved to get those “freebies” – coverage on social media, blog posts, photography, etc., but at the end of the day, those “freebies” can be pretty fantastic.

Which part of your “remote work income” allows you to keep being a Digital Nomad? What pays the bills?

Most of my income comes from advertising on my site, sponsorships, and freelance writing as well as some affiliate income from a few niche sites I run. I also have a rental property back in Canada that ensures I don’t starve each month. 🙂

How would you describe your perfect place to work (anywhere in the world)?

I prefer big cities, but it would have to have excellent Wi-Fi, inexpensive cost of living, great beer, and easy access to a beach. Plus great Thai food. 🙂

Visit Raymond’s blog: Manonthelam.com

Ellroy Uyleman, DJ/Producer using Jarreau Vandal as an alias

Ellroy is a friend and fellow Amsterdammer, with whom (amongst others) I hosted a night life concept called “Wavefiles”. His musical career blew up during and after the party had ended, and his productions and DJ sets allow him to travel around the world.

What is your experience with being a digital nomad?

Becoming a digital nomad wasn’t something I purposely did, but the development of my career turned me into one. I really love being on the road for my work. The amazing thing about it is that I can work wherever I am and build my legacy so that I can travel even more.

Which tips would you give to aspiring digital nomads?

1. When you just start travelling and working, try to stay relatively close to home. By this I mean that you can learn a lot from travelling and working close to home before you cross the borders of your continent. Different continents come with different cultures and different ways of life which can be quite shocking and confusing to newcomers.
2. Make sure you make a plan on how to make your travels a reality. A lot of people save money to go traveling, which is great. But when you want to become a “real” digital nomad it means that you will travel all the time, so make sure you find something that can fund your travels or something that allows you to travel in order to earn money. As I’m a DJ, I travel to play shows abroad. This makes me travel to almost all continents every year.
3. If you go to a new place, try to network with somebody from that place. Often I hear people say their experience in a certain country was bad, while in the same place I had the best time of my life. Almost all of those times they weren’t informed well enough about the right things to do in that country. Thats why I try to make sure I always meet a local. Sometimes I check with my friends if they know anybody that lives in that particular country, but other times I connect through people in or close to my network. It’s the best thing to be in a new place with a local that can at least introduce you to the place before you go wander around yourself.

Which part(s) of being a digital nomad was much worse than you expected it to be?

The long flights and short nights after my shows can sometimes be very draining for the body.

Which part(s) of being a digital nomad was much better than you expected it to be?

Everything about it. Traveling simply just opened up my mind. I got inspired, I tried stuff I would never try and it changed my view on certain things.

Which part of your “remote work income” allows you to keep being a Digital Nomad? What pays the bills?

I’m lucky and very thankful to be able to travel for my music. If I wouldn’t make or play music I wouldn’t be sure if I would have been able to do all this; the fee from the shows and getting my (travel) expenses paid allows me to travel this much. However I’m always trying to generate multiple streams of income in order to travel even more.

How would you describe your perfect place to work (anywhere in the world)?

A warm place outside (in the shade). It can be a bar or restaurant. They have Wifi and electricity and they don’t ask you to order drinks every 5 minutes. And there must be a lot of light/windows. The music shouldn’t be too loud but I like it when it’s busy because that keeps me awake.

Check out Jarreau Vandal on social media: Facebook and Instagram

Conclusion

All in all, the Digital Nomad lifestyle isn’t as relaxed as it might sound and it has a few pitfalls to watch out for. It’s easy to become obsessed with work and lose touch with friends or colleagues, which can lead to loneliness. On the other side, the Digital Nomad lifestyle can bring you a feeling of ultimate freedom, the feeling of not having to do anything and choosing how you spend your time every day. Convinced? Read on to find out how to become a Digital Nomad.