How To Travel The World Full-Time As A Digital Nomad

by Alexis Walker  |  Guest Contributor  |  Business

Working from 9 to 5? Sitting behind a desk all day? Yearning for a long vacation? No more. Digital nomads are revolutionizing the concept of work. They live life to the fullest. Why? Because they are both financially independent and globetrotters. You too can travel the world full time as a digital nomad. Of course, it takes a lot of courage since it is a drastic change but it is within your reach. All you have to do is follow simple steps from this guide and you will have a wonderful adventure.

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Cut Back and Start Saving
Since you will be traveling full time, you won’t be needing any memberships and subscriptions. Now is the time to cut all unnecessary costs and start preparing for becoming a digital nomad. Amazon Prime, Netflix, or your gym. They no longer serve their purpose as you won’t have enough time to binge-watch anything. You will spend your days traveling, exploring, and earning money. For this reason, cancel them all and settle all your debts, if you have any. This way you can enjoy your new nomadic lifestyle with a clear conscience and stress-free. The next step is to start saving money because you will need it until you settle into a new environment.

Generate Some Income
The most important step in this process is to generate an income. Your manager might not let you work remotely and travel around the world. It is too big of a risk for the business. In this case, you can always search the Internet for some remote jobs. Unlike a few years ago, today there are numerous jobs and positions available. Surely, you can find something that suits your skills and your new lifestyle. Be prepared to acquire some new skills to meet the demands of the online labor market.

You should share the news about becoming a digital nomad with your employer. When you are honest about your plans, your employer knows what to expect from you. When working remotely and changing time zones, you will need to stay in touch with your coworkers. Your future employer might suggest some Staffbase alternatives for connecting employees and maintaining a good workflow.

Join Online Communities 
When planning the change, hearing about someone else’s experiences means a lot. They can give you tips and advice to help you out. Also, they can serve as a great source of motivation and inspiration. If they overcame all obstacles, so can you. There are numerous groups on social media with digital nomads from all around the world. Don’t be shy and join any of them. You have nothing to lose only so much to gain. Besides, these communities don’t consist of nomads only, but also employers and companies. By joining any of these groups, you won’t only get insights but maybe even find a job. 

Decide Where You Want to Go This is the most exciting and at the same time terrifying step in this guide. Deciding where to go isn’t easy as it sounds. You can easily become overwhelmed by the possibilities as they are endless. You can travel wherever you want to. Morocco? LA? Osaka? You name it. Luckily to you, there are online guides all over the Internet for most cities in the world. Make sure to check them out. You may discover a new place that you never imagined to start your journey. However, as much as the location matters, details such as cuisine, expenses, accommodation, technology also matter. So, don’t get easily seduced. Gather all necessary information and then make the decision. 

Find a Place to Stay
Now that you have savings, a steady income, and a destination, you can move on to finding a place to stay. Where do you want to stay? Hotel? Apartment? Airbnb? Bed and Breakfast? Or a Housing co-op to cut expenses? Would you like to live near most tourist attractions or in some other, less crowded quarters? You can choose accommodation based on your income as well as preferences. Bear in mind that whichever option you choose it is not a final decision. As a digital nomad, you can change it if you don’t like it. That is the whole point of becoming a nomad.  Not to be tied down. 

Pack Your Suitcase
You are almost there. All that is left to do is to pack. Traveling lightly seems like a wise move. You don’t need too many things. Pack only the essentials. Don’t forget to pack according to your airline’s norms. Before the trip, you should invest in a practical and quality backpack. It should be light and spacious inside with a few compartments and pockets. Get used to the idea of carrying a backpack as it is every nomad’s best ally. You can search the Internet for packing hacks to help you pack everything you may need. 

Go! Go! Go!The time has finally come. You can finally start your backpacking adventure. While you travel to your destination, there are a few things to keep in mind. Be open to new experiences and friendships. During your travels and the whole experience as a digital nomad, you will meet many people and places. Also, you will learn not only many different skills but also about yourself. Test your limits, get out of your comfort zone, and collect memories.

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