One of the benefits of freelancing is the ability to work from anywhere. Freelance Digital Nomads are freelancers who travel when they work. If you enjoy traveling and exploring new locations, being a freelance digital nomad is one of the best decisions you can make.
Today, companies are finding ways to embrace the need for more freedom and flexibility, to reduce employee burnout and stress.
Benefits of Being a Freelance Digital Nomad
A digital nomad enjoys several work benefits such as:
Flexibility in Work Schedule
As a freelance digital nomad, you get to ditch the traditional 9-5 work hours and create a work schedule that fits your daily routines. You can design a work and travel lifestyle that works for you.
With this flexibility, you may fit your work around your favorite activities, like travelling to a new location or spending time with loved ones. You can also decide to work when you are most productive and take breaks as required.
For example, you could work remotely in the morning, explore the local area in the afternoon, and then continue working in the evening. This flexibility enables you to make the most of your digital nomad lifestyle while still meeting work obligations.
Location Independence
Perhaps, one of the most interesting benefits of being a freelance digital nomad is the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. The digital nomad lifestyle is usually associated with long-term or short-term travel.
Freelance digital nomad can change their locations whenever they wish to, whether it is working from a beach in Bali or a café in Paris, the ability to travel and work simultaneously is a dream for many. You can immerse yourself in different cultures, try local cuisines, and experience new adventures.
Diverse Work Environments
As a freelance digital nomad, you experience a diverse work environment while traveling regularly. You get to choose which work environment suits you best. It could be from a coffee shop, it could be from an exotic Airbnb, it could also be from the comfort of your home.
Wherever you choose, be sure that the environment aids your journey as a traveling freelancer.
Cultural Experiences
Traveling around the world is a great way to be introduced to and explore different cultures and ways of life. Any journey offers fresh perspectives and the chance to learn something new.
This is your chance to gain fresh insights about the country, the world, and yourself. Digital nomads can defy prejudices and discover the world from a whole new perspective thanks to this manner of living.
Challenges Faced by Freelance Digital Nomads
As the need for remote workers continues to increase, the appeal of being able to make a living while traveling the world as a freelance digital nomad also increases.
However, there are a few factors that can be a challenge for freelance digital nomads. They are;
Internet Connectivity
Internet connectivity and Wi-Fi are the lifeline of remote working. Working remotely requires a certain level of internet access that will aid being a freelance digital nomad.
As most employees track the progress of a project via communication tools, faster internet speed, and connection will ensure a smooth and seamless communication path.
In an environment with a poor or unstable internet connection, cloud-based tools and platforms for various tasks, including project management, document sharing, and team collaboration become difficult to access.
Time Zone Differences
Working remotely can sometimes mean that you get to share different time zones with your employer and team.
It may be difficult to find an overlap in work hours, especially if there is a significant time difference between you and your colleagues or clients. This can make it challenging to schedule meetings and collaborate on projects.
Having a time zone difference can give room for miscommunication between remote workers. Issues such as late replies can be a problem when it interferes with the communication flow.
Remain cognizant of the time zones you are working in at all times. Keep track of the local time where you are working by using world clocks or apps on your smartphones.
Work-Life Balance
When working remotely in a different time zone, it can be easy to blur the lines between work and home life. Constant traveling and working can lead to fatigue.
This can lead to burnout and a lack of productivity. To maintain a healthy work-life balance, you should establish clear boundaries and always prioritize self-care.
Learn to take breaks in between work to catch up on keeping fit, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Taking breaks might include stretching, meditating, exercising, and setting aside time for hobbies and other non-work-related activities. Recharging helps to keep your energy high and makes you productive.
Loneliness and Isolation
As a freelance digital nomad, there is the freedom and flexibility that comes with the job, but there is one outstanding factor that is a challenge for digital nomads, loneliness and isolation.
Constantly traveling might not give room to settle down and establish real-life connections with other people. You also do not get to spend time with family and friends as you are always on the go.
This can be difficult. It is important to have people you can create physical connections with as they help keep your mental health in check and also prevent burnout.
Having friends and loved ones close to you provides a sense of comfort and ease when you are stressed from work.
To overcome this challenge, you can also prioritize self-care activities, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies, to help maintain a healthy balance.
Top 10 Destinations for Freelance Digital Nomads
These top 10 destinations for freelance digital nomads are selected based on their cost of living, visa requirements, lifestyle, safety and health, work needs, and climates.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali has become one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads. Bali is the kind of breathtaking location that you won't want to leave, whether you're planning a little vacation for sightseeing, a longer workation, or even a long-term stay.
You can opt for a co-working hub and welcoming communities like Canguu and Ubdu. In terms of the internet, safety, and overall cost of living, you can have a monthly budget of $2,847.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you’re seeking a location with cosmopolitan convenience, rich culture, and spectacular scenery, Chiang Mai, Thailand is the perfect spot for you. Thailand has an urban lifestyle feel and has numerous workspaces for you.
You can also explore the beautiful scenery of Koh Pha Ngan Island. You will also get to enjoy a good internet connection and safety. The cost of living is around $1,620 monthly.
Medellin, Colombia
Medellin City has everything that you’ll desire, including year-round nice weather, great restaurants and bars, and vibrant nightlife. In addition, there are always cool new hot spots opening up in the city. Food is likewise reasonably priced, and there are excellent selections for all budgets.
Medellin has been regarded as one of the top Freelance Digital Nomad spots in South America. You get to enjoy great internet and safety, and the overall cost of living there costs about $1,653 per month.
Lisbon, Portugal
One amazing thing about Portugal is that you can get a digital nomad visa that allows non-EU nationals to live and work here for up to twelve months. Lisbon is a city that is considerably cheaper to live in than many European cities.
The cost of living in a month is about $3,299 per month. You can also get food and drinks for a lesser price, and you will feel more at home because of the welcoming atmosphere in Lisbon.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam is a good location for tourist attractions and freelance digital nomads. The city’s capital, Ho Chi Minh, is drawing both tourists and nomads who are seeking a good location to work and have fun while at it.
Transportation is by buses, which makes the cost of moving around relatively cheaper. Foreigners are also allowed to travel around with a motorcycle, which sounds pretty cool. You can also get a comfortable apartment for about $474 per month.
Barcelona, Spain
Spain is known to have the best internet in all of Europe! You also get to stay in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Barcelona. You can also get a digital nomad visa that allows you to stay for 12 months and extend for up to 5 years.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi is an extremely affordable city by digital nomad standards. Realistically, a single individual can live on $500–600 USD per month, but a couple's average monthly expenses are closer to $900–1200 USD.
You also get to work in Tbilisi without the need for a visa or permit.
Cape Town, South Africa
Also known as The Mother City, Cape Town has become a hotspot for freelance digital nomads. Located in the heart of South Africa, Cape Town houses many beaches, endless hiking trails, ridiculous views, epic sunsets, and wild city life.
The first coworking space was introduced in 2010, and many more followed suit after that. Now the inner city and all of its suburbs are covered in different coworking spaces. With $2,197 every month, you be assured of a comfortable lifestyle.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is a charming city with lots of spots to entertain you. From museums to music to nature. It is filled with style, class, and an aura of mystery. You can be assured of good transportation, internet connection, and safety.
The cost of living in a month is about $2,349 per month. Its friendly atmosphere makes it welcoming to a traveling freelancer.
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City is quite a large city and it houses some beautiful beaches. However, while Playa del Carmen has a good enough internet connection to have the amenities needed to work, some other Mexican beach towns may not.
A Digital Nomad Visa, valid for four years to six months, can be applied for.
How to Become a Successful Freelance Digital Nomad
Becoming a successful freelance digital nomad is possible when you apply the right tips to your remote work and travel lifestyle.
These four tips will help you live life on your own terms while embarking on an incredible journey of professional and personal growth.
Time Management Strategies
To earn the luxury to live and work as a freelance digital nomad, you must first learn how to effectively manage your time and stay afloat of your tasks and responsibilities.
To get the most out of your digital nomad lifestyle, you must practice self-discipline, establish routines, set specific working hours, prioritize your to-do lists, set deadlines and reminders, and plan your week.
Communication and Collaboration Tools
Communication tools help you connect and collaborate remotely with clients and other team members.
As a freelance digital nomad, you will get to experience communication gaps, so ensuring that everyone is on the same page is only possible with the right communication tools.
Tools such as Slack, Asana, Trello, Google Workspace, and Zoom are some of the communication collaboration tools you can use to make your digital nomad lifestyle easier.
Budgeting and Financial Planning
One of the worst things that can happen to a freelance digital nomad is running out of cash or exhausting their budget. Managing finances and having a well-laid-out budget is a great way to curb that harsh reality.
To fund your work and travel lifestyle, you must first learn how to effectively manage your finances and you can do this by tracking expenses, setting a budget, and prioritizing essential expenses. This will help you maximize your income and avoid unnecessary spending.
Health and Wellness Considerations
Health is wealth. Prioritize your health and wellness as you go on your traveling freelancer journey. Take regular breaks, go for walks, get enough sleep, and have friends that will keep you in check too.
Also, ensure you have access to medical advice and treatment when needed.
Conclusion
Becoming a freelance digital nomad comes with its benefits and challenges. You get to have a flexible schedule, experience diverse work environments and cultures, and you also get to work from anywhere in the world.
However, you might experience some setbacks like internet connectivity, time-zone differences, communication issues, and loneliness from being away from family and friends.
These challenges can be well managed if you follow the tips recommended in this article. You can get to enjoy your work and travel lifestyle as a freelance digital nomad.
Remote work is gaining popularity and there is no better time to join the train than now!
