The digital age has ushered in a new era of human evolution. No longer does communication or earning a living require ties to a specific geographic location. However, each passing moment and subsequent adventure can push you further away from friends, family, and reality as perceived by those outside the digital nomad world. To some, this division from home breeds a sense of individualism and spirit that is ideal for a nomad or their future pursuits in a single geographic work setting. For others, it exacerbates FOMO (fear of missing out) and leads to depression and isolation.
Whether you want to tell someone your latest amusing anecdote, get some inspiration, or just have a liaison conduct some paperwork, here are some tips, suggestions, and ideas on how, when, and why you should stay connected to home while working as a digital nomad.
The Reality of FOMO When Working as Digital Nomad
Fear of missing out (FOMO) is commonplace in the digital nomad world. As you travel, you will inevitably miss out on parties, weddings, births, and birthdays. The list goes on and on. Yet, it is how you deal with FOMO that dictates the success of your digital nomad story and your individual happiness.
Approach FOMO by reminding yourself that you are always only a phone call, video chat, or email away. Take advantage of these tools. They are a slight consolation over being there in person, but it is a trade-off that can at least lighten the blow. Most friends and family understand.
Before you embark on a career as a digital nomad, weigh just how much your current social situation plays a role in your life. Have you had the same friends your entire life? Devise a plan for how you will maintain long-distance relationships while abroad. Do you find it easy to meet new people? That’s great. This will help you. If not, remember you need a face-to-face social life, too. Come up with some ideas for how you will make new friends. Consider going somewhere new locally and getting some experience meeting a new crowd.
Find a Trusted Liaison for Your Personal Stuff While Working as a Digital Nomad
One of the foremost obstacles for those working as a digital nomad is taking care of your personal business at home while you are on the road. Without a trusted liaison, the task of filing paperwork, sending letters, or solving financial issues is burdensome. Before you set out on your globetrotting adventure, make sure to talk to a trusted individual about handling your affairs.
In my case, my father is my lifeline to the U.S. All of my correspondence goes directly to him, and he alerts me of any pressing matters such as new bank cards, insurance statements, paychecks, and more. If I need to mail anything or receive mail, he’s on top of it. Unfortunately for him, it is a somewhat thankless job (he refuses payment and only gets to see me once a year). But without his ability to act as my personal courier, tax adviser, and administrative assistant, I’m not sure what I would do.
If you’re searching for someone to handle your affairs while you’re abroad, start with family members. They are typically the most well-suited for the job and don’t mind helping you out. That is what family is all about. If you cannot find a family member, your friends may be able to lend support. It is a lot to ask from someone—especially if they have children—but it is the best free alternative to your family.
On the off-chance you cannot find a friend or family member to help, a well-qualified, part-time administrative assistant is an ideal liaison. Hiring him or her will obviously set you back a few bucks, but shelling out some cash for peace of mind is well worth it.
Save Time with a Virtual Mailbox
If you cannot find a liaison at home or you don’t have enough money to hire an assistant, a virtual mailbox is an alternative solution. For a monthly fee, virtual mailbox companies receive your physical mail. Then, you can choose whether they forward it to you in another country or open, scan, and send it to you via email. This service is especially helpful if you receive lots of mail, printed paychecks, or you have vital correspondence that can only be sent to a physical address.
Use Social Media
Many digital nomads abroad use social media as their preferred way to contact friends, family members, colleagues, and business partners at home. That is because social media offers a quick, easy, and direct way to get in touch with people. While much of your interaction may just involve posting pictures and replying to people’s comments and questions, you can also hold an entire conversation via direct message.
There is no consensus on which social media platform is the best for people working as a digital nomad. The choice is more of a matter of preference. Maybe I am a dinosaur compared to the younger generation, but Facebook has been my go-to option for communicating with others. Not only can you see posts from back home, but you can reach just about anyone via your network of friends.
Aside from Facebook you’ll find a glut of other options that provide a dose of fun (Snapchat) or a chance to showcase your photo skills (Instagram). LinkedIn is another favorite of mine that provides networking opportunities to expand your business and find new clients. The most important aspect is to find one or more platforms that provide you with opportunities to connect and stave off the dreaded FOMO.
Use Messaging
Instant or direct messaging is another way to stay in touch with everyone back home. Facebook Messenger is what I use most often, as it has the ideal setup for group calls and video chats. My parents’ refusal to get up-to-date technology or learn how to use apps is the main reason I use Messenger. You may find a different messaging app that combines convenience and the features you want.
One of those options is WhatsApp. Throughout my travels, I’ve found that most digital nomads and travelers from other countries (non-U.S. citizens) prefer this app. If you’ve never used WhatsApp, it’s essentially a stripped-down version of Messenger with an easy-to-use interface. In addition, WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption that ensures that only the sender and recipient will see the message.
If neither of these messaging apps appeals to you, try one of the other messaging apps that have popped up in the last few years, such as Wickr, Telegram, Signal, or Viber.
The Snail Mail Route
Sometimes, the digital connection isn’t enough to stay close to friends and family. However, you still have an ace up your sleeve: snail mail. In the digital age, sending a letter or a postcard is a sentimental way for you to connect with others. For $1 or $2, you can send something that showcases your travels while also letting people know you think of them often.
In every country we go to, my partner and I take the time to send postcards to our friends with upcoming birthdays. Some may call it old-school, but everyone seems to enjoy getting something from us. Plus, we make small wagers with each other to see how long it takes for a postcard to make it to the U.S. (or if the postcards make it home at all). Although using snail mail is neither quick nor direct, it’s a throwback to the days when human interaction was more thoughtful. You may never see the smile you put on someone’s face, but for us, it’s all about the gesture.
The Journey Home from Working as a Digital Nomad
Endless quotes about returning home evoke all types of feelings, but the overarching idea is that love and happiness are almost always where your friends and family are. The journey home from being a digital nomad is most often a temporary one, but the trip provides ample opportunity to rekindle friendships, bond with family members, and learn about what others have been doing with their lives.
Unfortunately, no specific rule or guideline exists about when or how often you should return home. In my case, I keep a strict limit of 35 days a year in the U.S. This is a tax-savvy idea, as the physical presence test of the IRS’s Foreign Earned Income Exclusion exempts you from paying a certain amount of income tax if you’re out of the country for 330 days in a 12-month period.
However, I try to make my trips to the U.S. coincide with weddings, family gatherings, or other once-in-a-lifetime events (World Series tickets, backstage passes to Queens of the Stone Age, or other similar events would fall under this umbrella). If I have to attend events within a period of a month or two, I also have the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada as temporary travel options between gatherings.
Whatever your reason for returning home, heed this advice. You’re going to be constantly busy. Everyone wants to see you, discuss your travels, and hang out. In addition to your workload, you’ll have little time for anything else. Plan accordingly, and don’t forget to enjoy the fleeting moments of your time back at home.
Between calls, texts, emails, and Skype sessions, staying connected with home can seem like a constant chore. But with a bit of balance between work, exploration, and home, you can remain a friend, colleague, confidant, and family member to everyone you hold dear. After that, go grab an exotic drink and find a picturesque backdrop. You’ve earned it.
What tips would you add to this list for digital nomads who want to stay connected? Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to tell us. We’d love to hear from you!
iStock Photo Credit: Marija Jovovic
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