The Good, the Bad, the Ugly – All There is to Know About Nomad Lifestyle
© Dino Reichmuth
Work when you want, where you want! Doesn’t this sound like a dream? If you’re ready to make some changes in your life, the nomad lifestyle is perfect for you. Travel the world while working remotely from any location. However, before you pack your bags, you must know all the benefits and drawbacks this kind of lifestyle may have on your mental and physical health.
Are you ready to get to know this interesting way of living? Here are a couple of pros and cons that can help you decide if this is the ideal change for you.
1. See the world
Many people say that you should travel while you’re young. But how can you do so if you have to work from 9 to 5? If you start living as a nomad, this problem will solve itself. You can work anywhere you are and travel the world anytime you want!
Being a digital nomad provides you with many opportunities. However, one of the biggest problems is finding a place where you can settle. Prices and quality vary depending on the place of the world you’re traveling to. So, try to book accommodation in advance if you want to see the world stress free. If you really want to get to know a certain country or a city with its culture, stay at least one month there, before moving somewhere else.
2. Financial insecurities
No matter where you are in the world, at one point in your life or another, you’ll worry about your finances and whether you’ll have enough to get by. One of the biggest downsides of being on the other end of the world is not being able to return “home” easily if the financial crisis strike. Is there a way to overcome that?
This not so glamorous side of nomad life may be the main reason why you don’t succeed in pursuing this lifestyle. However, you can prevent that from happening by carefully planning your finances. This includes staying in at-budget places you can afford and bringing your savings with you.
3. Get in touch with interesting customs
Each country in the world is beautiful because it has its own culture and tradition. If you opt for a nomad lifestyle, you’ll get to see, experience and get in touch with different traditions and customs. Learn what verbal and nonverbal communication is acceptable and adapt to their unique ways of life.
This doesn’t mean that you should go somewhere exotic if you don’t want to. Customs exist in modern first and second world countries. This is an ideal opportunity to free your mind, learn the local lingo, try out different clothes and fit in.
4. You mustn’t neglect physical health
Just because you’re traveling and enjoying life, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get ill. Different climates and food may cause a lot of different troubles for your organism, especially if you’re not used to their illnesses, viruses, bacteria and spices. Therefore, you need to pay extra attention to your physical health.
Find some health tips for expats before you decide to visit a new country. If you feel like modern medicine doesn’t have a cure for you, consider trying alternative medicine, such as different teas, herbs and natural cures that work. Who knows, maybe you’ll find something that perfectly works for you.
5. Loneliness and homesickness
Not everyone is brave enough to try the nomad lifestyle. In case you gather up the courage to start traveling the world alone, you need to be aware of loneliness and homesickness as frequent and common cons. Such negative emotions can cause a lot of mental health troubles that might even lead to depression.
To conquer your solo travel anxiety frequently check in with a friend or family. Social contact can help you get out of the negative mindset and set positive goals. Try to meet new people and be friendly with locals. Visit popular places, beaches and parks where you can meet new friends. On top of that, you can try meditation or physical exercises. In the end, if it’s not working out, you can always return home.
6. Easily get in touch with colleagues
If you’re living as a nomad, working remotely is your best option. Besides the freedom and flexibility to organise your own time, you can work from the beach, in the hut or anywhere you are. You only need a stable internet connection for your mobile phone and laptop, and you’re set to start your day.
If you’re miles away from your colleagues and manager, communication can be challenging. Due to different time zones, getting in touch is tricky. However, you still need to complete your tasks and finish your work. So, install a reliable intranet software that can help you easily communicate with colleagues, safely share files and get in touch no matter where you are.
7. Try out various traditional food
Whether you’re a foodie or not, try out different food types and traditional courses no matter where you are. Later you’ll be sorry for not taking an opportunity to try out something new and unique. There are many benefits of tasting different food, and tingling taste buds is only one.
For example, if you visit Mexico, you’ll have an opportunity to taste organically grown avocado and experience its powerful benefits. On top of that, you’ll have a chance to try original Mexican tortillas, nachos and many more dishes you had, but never tasted in their original form.
To wrap up
Living a nomad life provides you with many good, as well as not so good experiences. If you want to try it out, you need to weigh out the benefits and drawbacks and decide for yourself. Are you ready to make such a big, risky step?