5 Reasons To Become a Digital Nomad
Everyone knows the dread of hearing that alarm, announcing for the fifth time that it’s time to drag yourself out of bed when it feels like you’ve hardly slept. If you’re over that feeling, and having barely enough time for yourself because you’re too consumed working on somebody else’s dream, then it might be time to become a digital marketing nomad.
The Internet has truly revolutionised the way we work. Although working from home calls for responsibility and self-discipline, it’s not as daunting as you may think. Choosing to be your own boss is a lifestyle choice that’s both realistic and sustainable. You have the freedom to work your way, and your earning potential is determined by how much work you wish to do.
Most digital nomad’s create their income through website development, graphic design, blogging and affiliate marketing, and coaching. However, digital marketing such as search engine optimisation, content writing and social media marketing (SMM) are the most popular choice of remote work.
Here are 5 reasons why you should go against the status quo and create the life you want by becoming a digital nomad.
Freedom to choose your own hours
By far the best aspect of freelance digital marketing is the freedom and independence to chose when you work. Nobody wants to spend their life plugging away Monday to Friday, living for the weekend and the few weeks of holiday you get a year, before finally retiring at 60.
Of course you’ll still need to work hard, meet deadlines and respond to emails in a timely and professional manner. However you’ll no longer be restricted to that 9-5 cycle with short breaks.
Imagine tailoring your day the way you want to, escaping routine or creating your own. Couldn’t sleep the night before? Enjoy a sleep in and work a little later. Finish early, take an extended lunch break, or go ahead and take the day off. You deserve it!
You also won’t have to worry about work getting in the way of your plans, insatiable travel desires, or occasions that are important to you. You can take the day off to spoil your mother on her birthday, or enjoy a long lunch while meeting up with an old friend, just because.
The ability to adjust your work schedule and choose your hours, breaks and days off can change your life.
Leading a happier and healthier lifestyle
Being able to choose when you work can lead to a healthier and happier you. This is commonly known as “lifestyle design” – working and living in a way that makes you happy.
Freelance digital marketing allows you the work-life balance needed to live a healthy and fulfilling life. It gives you more time for family, friends, and most importantly yourself. You’ll have more time to explore your hobbies, develop your skills and discover new ones. Self-care and socialisation are important to keep your mental health and stress levels in check.
Working remotely is just as beneficial for your physical health too. Sometimes you just need to look after yourself and get the rest your body needs. And being your own boss means you can do this without the anxiety or guilt of calling in sick.
Being a digital nomad also gives you the freedom to choose how and where you work. Find what makes you feel more productive – whether it’s working by the beach, at a nice café, or in your pyjamas on the couch.
Travelling the world
Working from your laptop is the best excuse to travel the world. The essence of being a digital nomad is having the opportunity to rediscover yourself and the world around you, which most people yearn to have.
You can’t feel guilty about being on holidays if you’re still working. Think of it as a continuous ‘work-cation’. The mobility of working online gives you the freedom to travel wherever and whenever you want, whilst still earning money.
Tick off your bucket list and soak up as much culture as you can. Why be confined to an office cubicle when you could be living the dream in a tropical paradise, or skydiving over Greece? Live in Thailand for 3 months, before spontaneously moving to Paris to learn French – the world is yours to discover.
Saving money, time and energy
Forget standing on a packed train after a long day of work, or being stuck in sluggish peak hour traffic. You’ll no longer have to spend the time, money or energy commuting to and from work every day. Instead you’ll be able to invest it into whatever matters most to you.
You’d be surprised how much money you’d save by not spending it on fuel, parking, public transport and lunch. And a great added bonus? You’ll be protecting the environment at the same time by reducing C02 emissions!
Adopting a minimalist lifestyle
Living a nomadic life on the go gives you the opportunity to pursue a minimalistic life. Imagine being able to let go of the possessions you don’t need and travelling light instead. Let’s be real, do you really need 10 different bags, or 5 different hiking boots? One of the wonderful things about digital marketing is that you only need a laptop, Wi-Fi and possibly a camera to operate your workstation.
While working on the go you’ll probably come to learn, just like many other digital nomad’s, that a fulfilling life depends more on your experiences rather than your possessions.
Live and work your way
If freedom, work life balance, and the ability to work anywhere in the world appeals to you, then a nomadic lifestyle in the digital marketing industry could be your next best avenue. It’s time to stop feeling like you’re working to live, and do things your way. There are also plenty of others jobs you can do that leads to a travelling nomadic lifestyle such as teaching. There is a big demand for ESL, school and university teaching jobs abroad. Luckily, there are also many online teaching platforms to help you sharpen your skills, get qualified or even find you work.