Photo by bruce mars from Pexels
Guest post by Lucy Wyndham
An estimated 50% of workers in the US will transform into remote workers by the year 2020, based on a report by MarketWatch. The entire concept of the digital nomad has completely enraptured an entire generation of new workers and even caught the attention of those who have invested decades into the workforce. With various helpful tools and the right opportunity, any worker can carve off their slice of borderless working conditions. Still, he life of a digital nomad carries experiences that are both sour and sweet.
Sweet: Live Anywhere You Want
Nomads are traditionally known as people who travel from place to place. But now we have a group of people who are making a living through the digital frontier. This literally opens up the world as a choice to visit and even live in. Places like Panama, Thailand, Colombia, and even Malaysia are ideal locations for digital nomads as identifed by International Living. One could reasonably live in comfort and even luxury at around $1,000 a month in Malaysia. Not only do digital nomads get to see incredible sights but you also get to earn more based on the local exchange rate.
Sour: The Paperwork
A general source of pain for most digital nomads is the paperwork that comes with having location-independence. Before you consider moving to a different country, be aware of the visa requirements, work permits, and any tax forms you’ll need to get in order. The laws regarding income taxes vary from one place to another and entirely depend on a person’s citizenship. Getting in touch with the embassy helps to sort out any questions so you’re able to launch a nomadic lifestyle with very little friction – due diligence is always important before making any sort of leap.
Sweet: Control Your Hours
The greatest appeal of a digital nomad lifestyle is the fact that you control and manage your working hours. Flexible working hours have a multitude of benefits like enabling better work/life harmony, taking away a stressful environment, and allowing the freedom to pursue other things. Digital nomads do not have to stick to the strict Monday-Friday grind. Instead, you have the luxury of choosing days off on weekdays which have thinned out crowds in public places, for example. When digital nomads go to explore, it can be done without having to deal with the usual crush of humanity at popular locales.
Sour: Lack in Security
Any digital nomad will express a desire for a reasonable and long-term client or contract. Not every digital worker has the luxury of working for an existing corporation and are instead reliant on limited work for short-term clients. This is why remote workers need to have a contingency plan in case a particular work deal does not pan out. While there are a lot of clients that do look for reliable remote workers, it is important that the digital worker has a good sense of worth so you don’t fall prey to hard work for minimal pay.
The life of a digital nomad is an adventure unto itself. While there are pros and cons which exist in the lifestyle, it is still arguably better than being stuck in a cubicle for 8 hours a day. Careful planning, guts, and positive thinking all go a long way in the life of a successful digital nomad.