What Is a Digital Nomad? The Ultimate Guide to Remote Work and Travel

The concept of remote working is not something new. Even before COVID-19 and the advent of more accessible remote working technology, remote working was a thing. Digital nomads, for instance, have been gaining significant traction. Imagine someone working from the convenience of a cafe or having a view of the lovely beachfront as they typed away. That is what it means to be a digital nomad!

But it comes with its fair share of challenges. The most critical challenge is finding a reliable power source like a solar energy bank to keep the work going. Here is all you need to know about remote work and travel:

What is a Digital Nomad? Who Can Be a Digital Nomad?

A digital nomad is often confused with a remote freelancer. However, there is one distinction people fail to recognize. Digital nomads are people who travel while they work as opposed to people who travel for work. They often reject conventional working models, such as the nine-to-five model, working from a desk, commuting to and from work, etc.

Being a digital nomad means working remotely, but it also means moving from place to place. It combines the aspects of a nomadic lifestyle with working online. Unlike the traditional workforce, which is expected to work for several years before retiring with a 401k, digital nomads aren't waiting for retirement to travel and see the world. They like to do everything they want while working on the side.

What Types of Jobs Are Suited for Digital Nomads?

Digital nomads have experienced a surge in popularity over the years. In the early 2010s, course creators, virtual teachers, coaches, and other working classes joined this trend. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a sudden surge in digital nomad popularity. More and more people are embracing the digital nomad lifestyle, where they work from anywhere across the world.

A vast majority of jobs for digital nomads are available, including careers in technology, arts, and communication. Writers, content creators, digital marketers, graphic designers, videographers, web designers, painters, data analysts, software engineers, remote administrators, etc., are all job types you can explore as a digital nomad.

Careers such as healthcare, which demand in-person consultations, are an exception to this lifestyle. However, a wide majority of the jobs on the market can be turned into digital nomadic jobs.

Benefits of Being a Digital Nomad

According to one report, over 1,65000 British citizens are working as digital nomads today[1]. There are several reasons why people prefer working as a digital nomad. It offers a trove of benefits, including:

Flexibility in Work and Life

One of the greatest benefits of writing as a digital nomad is the flexibility it offers. You do not have to be tied to a desk to complete your work. Instead, you can choose to work whenever and wherever you want. You could be sitting at the beach, you could be in a lovely cafe, or you could be seated in a bookstore. There are simply no limitations to where and when you can choose to work.

However, you do need a stable Wi-Fi connection and a portable laptop. Having a battery source to power your laptop is also essential since you will likely be on the move more often.

Lower Cost of Living

Another significant benefit is the reduced cost of living. Several destinations around the globe are known for supporting traditional lifestyles. Here, you can access fast-speed internet, a safe workspace, and beautiful landscapes. Countries such as Colombia, Mexico, and Georgia, where the cost of living is considerably lower, are the most popular choices for emerging digital nomads.

In some places, you might even find co-working spaces that you can rent for temporary periods. Not to mention, you'll save plenty of money on rent, car payments, commute costs, etc.

Better Work-Life Balance

It goes without saying that you will experience a much better work-life balance. You can easily create a schedule to your own liking that ensures you have dedicated time for work and sufficient time to enjoy travelling without the guilt of neglecting work. This way, you can actually become even more productive and have time to enjoy your time away from work. The nomadic lifestyle is a holistic one that promotes mental well-being and physical health alike.

A common misconception is that the nomadic lifestyle avoids structure. Quite the contrary, this lifestyle adapts to structure. Digital nomads set goals they can work on so they can save themselves from feeling overwhelmed. At the same time, they remain satisfied knowing that they are getting work done.

Networking and Global Connections

Travelling as a digital nomad will present you with several opportunities to connect with new individuals, new perspectives, and new ideas. You can expand your circle of connections to include like-minded individuals. You'll easily find a trove of online communities because other digital nomads like you are hoping to network. Don't miss out on such networking opportunities

Challenges of the Digital Nomad Lifestyle

Like all things, the digital nomad lifestyle also has its fair share of challenges.

Connectivity

One of the first concerns of any digital nomad is connectivity. Being a digital nomad means you will consistently be on the move, and therefore, you will have to seek an internet connection wherever you go. This is even more difficult if you are on the road or if you find yourself in a remote location. The uncertainty of not always having connectivity to the internet can be quite challenging. Some nomads even build the habit of staying 'always on'. They become obsessed with constantly checking their emails, alerts, and notifications. Instead, they should be mindful of when to put the phone down.

Power Supply Concerns

The next major concern is an unreliable power supply. You can only work as a digital nomad as long as you can guarantee that you can power your work essentials, including your laptop, smartphone, wireless earphones, etc. When you travel to other countries, you can never know for sure whether you'll receive a solid power connection. This is why it is always recommended to invest in a portable and convenient power supply.

Adapting to Different Environments

As a nomad, you'll constantly be on the move, which means you'll be exposed to all types of new environments. Every time you move to a new environment, you will have to research your destination, learn about the culture, and assess the public attitude toward digital nomads. More importantly, you will have to look for spaces where you can work without any distractions. A quiet cafe, a remote bookshop, or a convenient hotel room with a nice view works wonderfully. There is certainly plenty of planning that goes into each new move.

Maintaining Productivity

Being a digital nomad can seem like a dream come true. But people tend to forget that they are not only meant to travel and have fun. They must also carve out enough time to maintain productivity. This can prove to be quite a challenge for new digital nomads, and only through strict self-discipline can it be overcome.

Security

A final challenge for emerging digital nomads is security concerns. Their frequent travels often land them in foreign countries where there may be a higher risk of criminal activity. It's not just physical security that is concerning; you should also tread carefully when using public Wi-Fi networks. You could be the victim of cyber threats or fraud online.

How to Become a Digital Nomad?

Does the life of a digital nomad seem intriguing to you? Here are six simple steps on how to become a digital nomad:

Choose a Remote-Friendly Job

The first thing you need to do is research potential remote jobs. Try to find jobs in which you have relevant skill sets and can positively apply them. It's not just about finding what you are capable of doing but also what you are passionate about. Choose a career that feels truly rewarding, so you will never feel bored, even when you are on the road!

Build a Reliable Income Stream

You can’t just hit the road right away. The smart thing to do is to have a reliable income stream to support you before you kickstart your life as a digital nomad. You will need to try out all sorts of fresh ways to make money on the side. A passive income stream that will continue to deliver money without you actively working is a great idea. Affiliate marketing, investments, and e-selling are all ways to begin building a reliable income stream.

Pick the Right Destinations

Don't get too excited and jump to the first seemingly pleasant country you hear of. Always pick a destination that is not only travel-friendly but also remote work-friendly. Consider whether the country is affordable and safe. What about the visa requirements? Will you be able to assimilate into the culture? What about internet connectivity and power? Some countries, such as Spain, Brazil, Malta, and the UAE, offer digital nomad visas, which are worth exploring.

Set Up Essential Tools

The essential tools you will need for your journey as a digital nomad include:

A reliable laptop and smartphone
A stable internet connection/portable hotspot
Backup power supply
Good quality earphones (with mic)
A cloud storage solution

Sort Out Legal and Financial Matters

Sort through your financial concerns before you head into the digital nomad lifestyle. And it is not just your finances that need sorting; you also need to have sufficient knowledge of the legal systems across the globe. It's advisable to minimize legal risk by doing your research. Secure the necessary documentation (passports, visas, work permits, etc.) before you enter the new country.

Start Traveling and Stay Adaptable

Finally, you need to stay adaptable. You'll come across all types of cultures and environments, so be prepared for culture shock wherever you go. There may be times when you experience unreliable internet connections, unexpected time zone differences, and power outages. However, you need to keep moving on by building resilience and learning from setbacks each time.

Jackery’s Solar Generators - The Right Solar Generators to Help You Stay Connected

One of the best ways to counter uncertainty is to be adequately prepared. Having a reliable power source with you is a great way to start. We recommend Jackery’s range of storage generators that will allow you to stay connected regardless of where you go. These are solar generators, which means they will operate using the sun’s unlimited and readily available energy. This way, you can have power regardless of where you go!

Jackery Solar Generator 500

The UK Jackery Solar Generator 500 is the ideal portable power station. It is compact, lightweight, and easy to carry around—this isn't surprising considering it weighs just 13.3 lbs. At the same time, it delivers just enough power to power all your essentials, thanks to its 518 Wh battery capacity. You can power your phone, laptop, desktop, portable camera, and more devices.

Jackery Solar Generator 240 v2

If you are looking for something even more portable, such as a small generator exclusively for your emergency lights or emergency laptop battery, we recommend the Jackery Solar Generator 240 V2. This is a much smaller solar generator, weighing just around 7.7 lbs.

What we like best about this is its fast-charging capabilities, which will allow you to charge it 100% in just an hour! You can also recharge using solar panels or a car charger. And despite its smaller stature, it is durable and has a long battery life. This battery is estimated to deliver 3,000 charge cycles before showing signs of degradation.

Final Thoughts

Embracing the digital nomad style seems intriguing to many. However, you must be adequately prepared to make your digital nomad life a success. Having a reliable power source is one of the first prerequisites for this journey. To help you get started, we recommend you explore solar generators offered by Jackery. Besides the two varieties we have discussed above, the brand offers a wide array of power solutions you can explore according to your budget and power requirements.