digital nomad lifestyle myths

7 Digital Nomad Lifestyle Myths: Here’s the Real Truth

Shrouded in mystery yet brimming with allure and intrigue, the digital nomad lifestyle is a difficult concept for outsiders to grasp. I’m constantly asked how I can travel the world and make a living at the same time. Without being tethered to a desk and a 9-to-5 job, others are convinced I’ll surely starve to death, get stranded in some far-off destination, or have to swallow my pride and ask my mother to send some money via Western Union. 

My millennial peers often see the other side of the digital nomad lifestyle — total freedom, a way to see the world, and earn a living at the same time. It seems to present the perfect trifecta. But they are also misinformed.

Let’s get a few digital nomad lifestyle myths straight. As a digital nomad, I do not:

  • Continuously sip Pina Coladas poolside while I type away vigorously at my keyboard
  • Come from independent wealth
  • Stay exclusively at five-star hotels as an Instagram influencer

These are just a few of the questions I field regularly from interested travelers I meet along the way. To dispel the misconceptions about the digital nomad lifestyle, here is a glance at the myths and realities of what it is really like as a global remote worker.

Myth #1: Constant Traveling is the Lifestyle of a Digital Nomad

When you are working on deadlines and constantly searching for reliable Wi-Fi, traveling constantly is not always possible. In many instances, travel can add unnecessary and undue stress to an already hectic work schedule. Many digital nomads want to get some insight into life as a local, so a three-to-six-month stint in a single location is commonplace. This type of traveling allows you to explore the area thoroughly, while also cutting down on accommodation expenditures.

One awesome facet of being a digital nomad is that once you’ve grown bored or tired of a location, you can pack up your stuff and head to the next place. While some nomads have a bucket list of places to live, I tend to go to locations that have the cheapest fares from my current residence. That’s how I’ve ended up working in Vietnam, Fiji, Samoa, and Australia. The schedule is entirely up to you, but without a place to call home for a few months, your career can stagnate.

Myth #2: You Blow All Your Money on Travel

I’ve run into the occasional “Bitcoin millionaire,” trust-fund baby, or other persons who have tons of disposable income due to luck, savvy investing, or birthright. But those individuals are the extreme minority. The other 99% of digital nomads cover a range of annual incomes from $20,000 to over $100,000 depending on their area of expertise and experience. Most fall in the $50,000 a year or less range.

With that type of income, you are not necessarily equipped to spend frivolously. Living in places like Southeast Asia, South America, or Eastern Europe certainly allows digital nomads to stretch their earnings further, but most remain frugal. You won’t find many who fly first-class, and a majority are content with taking a bus, train, motorbike, or low-cost airline to their next destination. Not only does this save money, it also offers the opportunity for adventure and sightseeing that few others experience.

As a digital nomad, you become travel-savvy. There is no sense in blowing all your money on unnecessary travel costs when you can put that money into a retirement fund, your business, or a food tour of Saigon/Hong Kong/Singapore.

Myth #3: You’re on a Permanent Vacation

I’ve had so many peers, friends, and parents tell me to enjoy my vacation to the fullest. Between the pictures I post on Facebook and Instagram and the stories I’ve accumulated over the years, they picture my life as a permanent holiday. I’ll admit that I have more experiences to share than typical American worker, but other than that, my life is similar to that of people with traditional job. The only thing that changes is the scenery.

When I’m not writing for clients, I’m taking notes on locations for future travel guides, snapping pictures for my website, figuring out ways to broaden my career options, and building my own brand as a freelancer. Sometimes, I forget my surroundings and fail to soak up the moment. It’s almost like my brain can no longer switch between work mode and vacation mode.

Becoming too absorbed in one’s work doesn’t always happen for digital nomads. From my perspective, this happens more with freelancers than hired employees. Freelancers do not enjoy the steady paychecks and job security of employees, so they’re saddled with finding new clients, promoting themselves, and closing deals. Digital nomads who work for a single employer may find more free time to indulge themselves, as they often work a set schedule and are not required to complete tasks outside of that timeframe.

Regardless of your digital nomad situation, a permanent vacation is not in the cards, and sometimes, you may not get one at all. You have to decide if you believe becoming an international globetrotter is worth losing that off time.

Myth #4: A Digital Nomad Lifestyle Is Unattainable

I’ve seen the look of envy from some of the people I meet on my travels. They cannot quite comprehend how I can earn a living or how I became a digital nomad. When I discuss the in-depth steps required to become a digital nomad, I’m often met with statements like “I could never do that” or “I don’t have the qualifications or expertise.”

These statements can often disqualify you from the digital nomad community before your journey even begins. Negativity is one of your worst enemies. While becoming a digital nomad is an uphill battle, it is by no means unattainable.

Like anything worth doing, you have to earn your keep. Building a resume with relevant skills, earning certifications, and finding out how to utilize your experience in a niche market can all improve your job prospects. Diligence and discipline are also integral to success as a digital nomad, especially to help you stay on track and motivated to attain your goals.

I’m not saying anyone can become a digital nomad, but if you view it in the same light as getting your dream job or saving for a hot new ride, you are on the right track.

Myth #5: You Make Bank

Most travelers are not thrifty. They want an experience, and it rarely comes cheap. So when travelers look at digital nomads, the automatic assumption is that they must have plenty of disposable income to travel the world. But this simply isn’t true. According to one study, the vast majority of digital nomads make under $50,000 a year. Domestically, $50,000 could be a decent living in Des Moines, while the same earnings would have you living with five roommates in New York City. In the digital nomad realm, the same idea applies.

Successful digital nomads have a learned or innate ability to not only stretch their income but also know how to earn it from different sources. Some digital nomads have a sole employer, but many use freelancing or contract gigs to make a living. This includes a balancing act of numerous clients, each with different expectations, pay rates, and deadlines. The schedule juggling is not always easy, but it is all part of the digital nomad lifestyle.

While some nomads may find their job particularly lucrative, others don’t. It’s part of the nature of the game and how much you want to use your free time to add new clients, expand your customer base, and earn money. Some nomads make this a priority. Others would rather earn a modest income and use the extra time to explore. So while you could potentially make a great living, you get to create a work-life balance that caters to your needs and wants.

Myth #6: Working Sparingly is Common for a Digital Nomad Lifestyle 

With all your pictures on the beach, skydiving, or attending concerts, you probably do not have to work much as a digital nomad, right? Wrong. To earn a living as a nomad, you’re always trying to find new clients and expand via marketing or word of mouth. Even Instagram influencers spend hours each day to improve their reach, marketing appeal, and business practices.

In my experience, the amount of work per week can vary greatly. If you’re content with your current income and client base, you may work anywhere from 20 to 40 hours a week. If you make travel plans or want to actually take a week off work, you might have to double the amount of time you normally spend. The upside is that you can double-up on work rather easily compared to a traditional 9-to-5 job. This can often give the impression that a digital nomad doesn’t work much, but in between your normal workload, building a social media presence, or just catching up with friends and family, you might not have more than a few hours of free time each week.

Myth #7: You Can Work Anywhere with Only an Internet Connection

This statement lies midway on the spectrum of myth and reality. The truth is that an internet connection is always a necessity for anyone living the digital nomad lifestyle. However, a strong internet connection is far more vital. While I’ve been able to get most of my writing done with agonizingly slow internet, the amount of time it takes is shocking and frustrating. Research that once took a few seconds to a minute suddenly takes five to ten times as long. When you are working on a flat-rate project, this can put a huge dent in your earning power.

A strong internet connection also has a huge impact on where you stay. After I’ve identified the water pressure and temperature of the shower (priority number one), I immediately connect to the internet to test the speed. If the speed is not up to my standards, my accommodation search continues. Newer digital nomads may compromise on this aspect if they have a café or library nearby, but sometimes it’s nice to sip a cup of coffee and work in the comfort of your own home.

Digital Nomad Lifestyle Myths & Mysteries

The digital nomad world is littered with myths and mysteries that can often make the lifestyle seem far more glamorous than it actually is. But for the disciplined and talented, the allure can outweigh the less attractive facets of the job. Regardless of whether you deem yourself ready or worthy to join the digital nomad ranks, you’ll find that it offers its fair share of obstacles and a steady flow of work, coupled with the opportunity to experience and explore the world. You won’t find many other jobs like that.

What intrigues you most about the idea of becoming a digital nomad? Connect with Virtual Vocations on FacebookTwitterLinkedInInstagram, and YouTube to share your thoughts and tips. We’d love to hear from you!



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