Digital nomads are people that use technology to work remotely while they travel the world. They identify with a global culture of individuality that’s rooted in reply to an idea of globalization; they can work everywhere with just a laptop and wifi. They can work on tropical beaches, busy cities, or remote villages. The benefits of the practice of nomadism include the increased freedom to travel, the increased adventure of new places and cultures, maintaining the ability to escape being a traditional office worker who is watched over, and the experience of living in different cultures.
However, living everywhere can be seen as belonging nowhere type of identity. People practicing digital nomadism form mostly short-term relationships. Engaging meaningfully in community ties and continuing those ties through constant movement is hard. The awkwardness of constant movement through places and people can leave the digital nomad feeling alone, detached from cultures, and feeling unstable. Some locals in places they travel to feel we as digital nomads are quite possibly gentrifiers, merely living there for a short time without making practical applications for themselves in the local cultures – therefore navigating around the local cultures in order to enjoy it, while at the same time raising prices without practicing local ties that would tie us into their lives.
Despite the perils of life as a digital nomad, there are many ways nomads are navigating between prior and their latest life. Co-working spaces, forums that cater to location independent people, and world meetups help frame our experience of nomadism as less lonely and filled with support and networks. But I wonder, can a life in transience provide lasting fulfillment?
As more people choose to work remotely, the digital nomad lifestyle continues to grow and flourish. Some countries are offering “special” visas for digital nomads to attract this type of people (this acknowledges they do this and they have an economic impact).
How to Recognize the Emotional Expense of Travel
While the digital nomadism lifestyle offers adventure and freedom, it comes at an emotional expense. A person who constantly uproots their life can lose the sense of home and tribe. In fact, many nomads report struggling with mental health, anxiety, and depression caused by isolation, culture shock, and a lack of stable relationships or social support over the long term.
One of the first areas affected is relationships. Friendships and partner dynamics tend to falter when a person is moving across time zones and continents. Digital nomads often sift through online therapy alternatives like BetterHelp or an app like Nomad Soulmates to seek companionship.
In terms of emotional costs, a mobile lifestyle also (often inadvertently) obscures-looking into the future. A sense of structure and permanence is discombobulated and thus, career growth, money, and self-development can become more complicated -real-life experiences may feel too far ahead of you. After some time, experiences that seem novel and inspiring – i.e., travel – may shift into mundane searches to settle back down.
For many digital nomads however, the total emotional expense does not always overwhelm their nomadic lifestyle as they often feel personally empowered. They are followers of the experiences economy, having a reality of realizing that experiences count for more than ownership. They also live autonomously with the ability to have the lifestyle they do based on their values. In some circles, it is not about whether the person belongs somewhere, it is about whether the person can belong everywhere.
As digital nomadism continues to grow, the economic implications are being felt in host countries. Diaspora remote workers have disposable income and are bringing significant purchasing power into the local economy through rent, food, shared working spaces, and travel.
However, this is complicated. In some localities, the wealthy nomads have driven housing prices up, forcing locals out. There are entire neighborhoods that were once affordable for locals which are now gentrifying into boutique cafes, gyms, and services designed for nomads rather than residents. This is causing issues for some communities who are struggling and wondering if the positive impacts outweigh the negative impacts.
Your local Government is possibly beginning to act on the government’s response from a new economic program and nomad visa. Some governments are making their nomad visa applications easier, or proposing economic programs that add taxes, or contributions towards local infrastructure. The proposed nomad visa programs from either Estonia and Barbados’ Welcome Stamp are examples of governments providing these programs without negatively impacting locals.
As well, there is also a trend of ethical nomadism. Nomads can be more connected to being a tourist than a remote workers. New social contract platforms, like Boundless Life are informing remote workers on how to immerse themselves more deeply in the local community and economy, rather than shopping for ‘Me-time.’ Instead of a ‘mobility-first’ model of nomadism, now the impact goes beyond just where someone goes, but how they are proving to be a conscientious and sustainable global citizen.
