We’ve all seen tons of beautiful pictures of digital nomads with their laptop sipping margaritas (or mojitos) on a crystal clear beach with palm trees and all that jazz. The dream, right? Well, not always. You get sand in your laptop, it’s hot and the wifi’s usually not that good, if there’s wifi at all. But this is not the only misconception about what being a digital nomad is. Here’s a few myths we heard or realized people were spreading about this lifestyle and we’ll try to offer a more realistic point of view for each.
Myth: You need to socialize all the time and be part of a community
It’s true that many digital nomads like to gather together and join communities to connect more easily with people abroad. But it’s completely up to you to do so and even if you decide to join a community, you don’t have to participate in every single events they organize. Living and exploring on your own is perfectly fine as well.
Myth: Party all day, every day
Even though this lifestyle usually invites us to explore more, connect more with people and enjoy a more relaxed way of living, we are still remote workers. Meaning we still need to stay productive and work regularly. When exploring a new destination, it is common to participate to more activities, but a more balanced routine will surprisingly quickly make a return and bring us back to a similar lifestyle we had before going abroad.
Myth: Older people cannot be digital nomads
Statistically speaking, most people who identify themselves as digital nomads are between 25 to 34. But who’s to say there is an age limit to explore the world while working? Many people above 35, 45, or even 55 are actually thriving in this lifestyle and we have yet to find a community where they are not warmly welcomed.
Myth: Short term stays, constantly on the go
Why so rushed? Take your time! To be honest, staying somewhere for less than 3 weeks doesn’t really allow you to truly experience a destination. And being constantly on the go is really exhausting… We’ve heard many digital nomads returning to a more traditional lifestyle partly because of this.
Myth: But you have to stay in a coliving to be a digital nomad
Hmmm… Not really! There are a lot of good, affordable alternatives if you want the peace of your own apartment and a dedicated workspace. Unfortunately, it is true that it takes quite a lot of effort to find them. This is precisely one of the motivations why we started Noma. Hopefully, you will soon be able to quickly find affordable accommodations you firmly know you will enjoy even before staying there, no matter where you are from, if you travel on a budget, as a couple or with your family.
Myth: Only solo travelers can do it
Though not being entirely right, it is true that being digital nomads is harder for couple, for pet owners and especially for families. It takes more preparation, more planning, and it is more difficult to find a place to stay. But there are alternatives you can explore such as home exchanges or house sitting.
Myth: Digital nomads are only freelancers
The flexibility of being a freelancer matches perfectly well with being a digital nomad. But nowadays, more and more companies accept this lifestyle and some even offer it as an advantage. If you are an employee, before deciding on a whim to go work abroad, make sure your company is ok with that and that you will be able to adapt yourself for the timezone differences. That can be a bigger challenge than we admit it.
Myth: Tropical destinations exclusively
This is a bit related to the dreamy beach lifestyle we mentioned earlier. Yes, these destinations attract more digital nomads because the weather is (usually) nice, it feels like a vacation and it is often less expensive to stay there. But you expose yourself to less ideal situations when it comes to working reliably.
Myth: Exploring your own country does not make you a digital nomad
So what? To us, as long as you are on the go and can work wherever you are, you are a digital nomad. Exploring your own country is actually a very interesting and less risky way to start being a digital nomad. So be proud of your own country and discover every single secrets there is to find.
Myth: Being a digital nomad is a constant vacation
While the digital nomad lifestyle offers the opportunity to work and travel, it's important to remember that it's not all fun and games. Digital nomads still have work responsibilities and deadlines to meet, which can be challenging while constantly on the move. It requires discipline, time management, and the ability to balance work and leisure activities effectively.
Well, seems like a good list already! But remember: these are just misconceptions. So don’t let them discourage you from trying this lifestyle if you are curious about it. If you are still not too sure about it, you could still try a more local destination, not too far away from your home. That way, you can build your own opinion about it without too much commitment.
Heard any misconceptions we haven’t listed here? Join our community to share them with us so we can have a good laugh about it as well.