It’s possible to overcome all these challenges- I have. I own 2 properties in the US, mortgages paid off, keeping one as “home base” and might rent out the other. I met my husband on the road - he wasn’t a digital nomad but is a retiree who loves travel - and now we travel together. I also find I get more exercise traveling because I want to get off the couch and get out. When my kids turned 18 I woke up and realized the settled life is definitely not for me. I wish everyone the best conquering these challenges- where there’s a will there’s a way!
Staying in one place 1-3 months is the best way in my experience. Travelling every a week or two is exhausting. I’ve saved more money since being a digital nomad than when settled at home. I’m older though, in my 40s so the future is more in my mind. You can build wealth while working remotely and travelling, I suppose it depends on your income though.
As someone who was a digital nomad 14 years ago (before the term even existed) and before all the 4HWW kiddies and Tim Ferriss fanboys started coming to Chiang Mai, I applaud you coming to the realization that many of us nomads eventually come to. Traveling and living outside of your home country is a wonderful experience to give yourself--especially when you're young. You will treasure those experiences throughout your life. And there will be many days at home when you're tempted to chuck it all and get back out there. But nomading is a hard lifestyle to keep up long term. You never really feel like you're building anything for the long term. Friendships, relationships and experiences are all transient. If you want to build something real and lasting--a relationship or a business--it's very tough to do when you're moving from guest house to hotel to coworking space. To build something of real value that you can be proud of, you need focus, discipline and a solid routine which are very tough to come by on the road. There are too many distractions for most people to pull it off. True fulfillment comes from building something real and lasting, not participating in the latest affiliate marketing/FBA/dropshipping scammy popular internet business of the moment. These businesses are all dependent on other people's platforms and any success you might have can disappear overnight--and all your income with it. In my years of doing business on the web, I have known several people who have made and lost many millions of dollars. Life takes many twists and turns and the future is never clear. There are no guarantees. Also, as you get older you realize that you can't take your health for granted. As you get into your mid-thirties and definitely into your forties, regular exercise, a healthy diet and enough sleep are necessary to just feeing normal and hopefully getting to old age without any major health issues. And what if a parent or a loved one gets sick and you need to come back to take care of them? What if YOU get sick and need the best healthcare but can't afford it? In life, you never know what's around the next corner. At the end of my nomading career, I realized that the ultimate freedom was not being stuck in some low-cost third world country and having limited income goals and living for the moment. Start a business and set it up so that over time you can come and go anywhere you please (be it San Francisco, London or Chiang Mai) and stay for as long or as little as you want without having to be stuck there because you only make $2,000 a month from your FBA or dropshipping business. Chiang Mai, Bali and Medellin will always be there. Your youth, high energy and relative lack of responsibilities will not. Put the hard work in now so you can do what you want later. You don't want to be one of those fat, grizzled 60 year old men drinking Chang Beer and smoking ciggies at 9 AM with your 20 year old Thai girlfriend on your lap.
I think it’s a good thing that you experienced the digital nomad lifestyle, and in the process you learned about what you wanted for yourself long-term, i.e. being more grounded for long term success. Life is all about growth and change from experience. Good luck, brother.
I think this is a super important topic to talk about in our community. Too many digital nomads are living month to month (financially speaking), sure you may be traveling around but it’s not sustainable. Once you earn your digital nomad wings so to say, you’re not done, you still need to keep working to build up your finances and get to a place where you are saving and building wealth. I think it’s also really important to establish what I call safe houses, places around the world that are like home. I had a mentor who frequently visited an AirBnB in Budapest so he bought tons of stuff for it and befriended the owner, now it’s a second home for him. This kind of stuff can go a long way towards helping you find that sense of “home”. Always nice to hear from you brother!
It's called getting old. Nomadic lifestyle is cool while in your 20s maybe early 30s... after that you tend to be more attached to one place only and think about your lifestyle, having a family, stability, where would you like your kids to grow... that's part of life. You also get lazy and want a calm place to live and rest ;)
This video hits me hard as I also get "burned out" but you want to know something? I just go "home" for 4-6 weeks eventually get super excited to go back to traveling again... All of us need breaks, just hang out for a few weeks and you'll be fine man :)
Thanks a lot for sharing this. I relate to all of those points. Especially the last two about love and home. It´s been a struggle lately and I´ve decided to move back to my home country and go study more. I want to "settle down" there in some form of my liking, but still enjoy the freedom to travel whenever I want and for as long as I want. But boomerang back home in between, to the society I feel like I´m fully part of and involved in. I would like to take better care of my personal life and my roots. I think this version works better for me than just going from one place to another with all my belongings on my back, usually alone and usually not knowing anyone at the destination I´m heading to. Always kind of starting again. Perhaps it´s also my age talking :-) I´m not 25 anymore. Almost 40! I follow some groups and discussions within the nomad society and feel it´s sometimes overly hyped up and get caught up by this and start thinking "what is wrong with me" .. I should be having the time of my life being location independent and kind of my own boss, right? I am extremely grateful and have great moments and periods, but in the big picture I need to adjust this lifestyle like I´m planning to do now. So, again, thanks a lot for sharing! Very helpful.
As someone who just bought a one-way ticket to Belgrade, Serbia to try out the digital nomad lifestyle for the first time this was super helpful to hear. Thanks Chris!
Honestly so weird how perfectly timed this video was for me...it popped up in my recommendations as if it knew haha. I needed to hear and watch this...just came back 'home' to the UK having been on the road for two years with no permanent address...it's very, very hard. I've come back 'home' to find that home isn't really home anymore...I've become very disillusioned with the political scene in the UK and the general way of life. I've found myself incredibly unhappy in recent days because of it. I'm not against setting up for the future and planning, working for long-term wealth etc...it's something I want to focus on more - but I just don't want to do it here. It's a really difficult, transitional period in my life. Thanks for starting this discussion man, really glad I found your channel. New sub :)
It's called getting old. Nomadic lifestyle is cool while in your 20s maybe early 30s... after that you tend to be more attached to one place only and think about your lifestyle, having a family, stability, where would you like your kids to grow... that's part of life. You also get lazy and want a calm place to live and rest ;)
Josh, I've been disillusioned with the UK for most of my life. I haven't been back in three years and I never miss the place. I don't know if I will ever settle anywhere. If I do it won't be the UK and Brexit means it won't even be part of the EU anymore. That was one of the few things it had going for it. So far, I've never been anywhere I like less than the UK and if I think about going "home" I think about returning to the Netherlands.
Chris, I couldn't agree more with everything you said in this video. I traveled around the world for almost 8 months and I moved back home to the States after my trip. I've been back for almost 2 years now and I've started having the feelings you mentioned about "possibly buying a house, getting married..etc." ESPECIALLY THE DATING PART. #thestruggle lol Right now I'm working to build a life where I can experience the best of both worlds. Thank you for creating this video and sharing it with us. Cheers, my friend!
Being a digital nomad isn’t a destination, it’s a chosen exile. It’s attraction is the living moment but living on the edge is a plan. When the feeling of fulfillment runs dry you come home.
It's called getting old. Nomadic lifestyle is cool while in your 20s maybe early 30s... after that you tend to be more attached to one place only and think about your lifestyle, having a family, stability, where would you like your kids to grow... that's part of life. You also get lazy and want a calm place to live and rest ;)
Totally 100% spot on. A few days ago I returned to my hometown (beautiful Minneapolis) after 4 months travel when I thought I'd be gone for a year or so. This video completely nails why I want to set up a home base before traveling more. Also when everything was fresh and new and exciting every single day there was this diminishing rate of returns of new experiences. I started to get desensitized to it or something and started to feel adrift like I was losing my head. Now I'm back home and I feel like I'm finally stopping to process all of the incredible things I experienced. I'm getting more out of that stuff by stopping and appreciating them than by staying in travel mode. Could have just slowed down on the road but decided I'd prefer to go hard when traveling and then just come home and chill
Agreed! I am from Minneapolis too and I think I want to do 5 months at home in MSP and then travel for 7 each year instead of always being on the road! Still need to finish my Australian visa though.
That's cool that you said this because for the longest time I wasn't sure what I wanted. I love travel but feel that I still need to be rooted somewhere. Maybe traveling half of the year and the second half staying at home is going to be a good balance for me,
Very insightful video Chris. I returned 2 months to London from Thailand and can relate a lot to what you're saying. Adjustment was difficult. I thought I'd made a huge mistake by coming home and going back to square one. But after some time, I've felt at home again, and more like myself, especially being around friends, family, and a culture I can relate to (turns out I really missed British humour!) The idea of living abroad/travelling and working remotely alone doesn't really appeal to me so much anymore. When shit hits the fan and you're a million miles away from home, without your usual support, it's no fun, to say the least. I'd still love to travel when I get that urge, so I think freelancing and working part-time too is a good mix to meet that balance of freedom and social needs.
Is this the end of Chris the Freelancer? Has another DN bit the dust? Hey, you proved it could be done though and chronicled your journey, which is more than most. Well done!
Nice video Chris. It's great to hear where you are at since we started our journey about the same time. Health and fitness have been a problem for us, especially being in the food and wine space. This winter is all about getting back in to shape. We appreciate all your thoughts and ability to think and be open about them,
This is so insightful Chris, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. I am going through some of this being on the road for a very short time and I am glad it's not all in my head.
Hi Chris. I think the most important thing is that you've realized the importance of wealth creation/retirement saving...only natural as you get older. Also, that feeling, the pace of life is changing is normal when you return home and especially after that whirlwind of adventures you've probably had over the past few months/years. For me, I love to travel as well, but when I moved to Thailand 5 years ago(living in U.S. now) my goal was to earn what I was earning in the U.S working remotely and save money because the cost of living was so low in Chiang Mai. Why should I pay more for the same exact things in my hometown when I can pay much less for the same in another country and have a better lifestyle. (i.e. rent, cell phone plans, food, entertainment, etc.) To me that is the best benefit of being a digital nomad. Traveling is my passion, but because I really love it and its not about following the crowd of "digital nomads". My priority is saving and for me.... Long term travel is where it's at...to save and travel at a slower pace. 3-6 months in one location/region, go home, re-connect with fam & friends...then 3-6 months in a new location. While choosing low cost of living locations. Portugal, Ecuador, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico or Eastern Europe. Johnny FD has found so many gems in Europe. Anyway, forgive my ranting. Hope you figure out a way that works best for you and get back to making more videos!
This was a really great video Chris and I think it’s important to talk about these things. What I find interesting is that or experiences of building wealth and living “in the now” have been completely different - I’ve never worked harder, been more organised and thought more about the future than I have since I became a DN last year. When I lived in London and worked a full time job, I could be spontaneous without repercussions because my income was the same, but now I have to plan for everything! Building wealth was also one of the reasons I wanted to try this lifestyle - i didn’t like that my income was “capped” working for someone else and now I’m earning more and growing that income every month. Really interesting to hear your experience and how it’s different! Hope you enjoy being home :)
Nice video Chris, interesting feedback. I would like give mine though ;). 1. Wealth I see you liked Bali, that also one of my favorite place and I spent lot of time at Dojo as well, Michel is a friend and I'm surprised to ear both of you pointed out nomads don't planing wealth growth compared to 9/5 peoples. That a community centric point of view right there. I've been a location independant entrepreneur for more than 10 years now and taking care of my futur "wealth" as always be a the center of what I'm doing. And I can assure you that it is the same for any serious nomads. The problem is not the lifestyle, the probleme is the dramatic mainstreamisation of it with shit load of self proclamed DN/Blogger/Coach/Teacher or wathever else they call themselves, trying to lure you into an esay life wile you can sip coconut looking at your dropshiping website making money by magic... If you really want to ambrace the lifestyle you need to be 10x more organised than a 9/5, especialy as a freelancer as your income may fluctuate. Making investments and saving is just commons sence here. Now trust me, you get as much 9/5 with no wealth plans as nomads. That not related to the lifestyle, it's related to your capacity to understand and plan your futur which a lot of people simply don't do. 2. Health The answer simple: A. Learn to cook. I never get in any country in th world so far where I cannot buy organic food and cook it myself. Most of DN I meet that complain about healthy food don't cook and don't want to cook. They seem to believe that part of the lifestyle is to eat at restaurant all the time... B. Train. Again, you can run absolutely everywhere in the world, and it's free. You can also do calisthenic and body weight, free again no need for equipments. Nomads complaining about maintening health many time have no routines, no training, no discipline and by eating shit food everydays for sure will get sick. Now those two point work the same for a 9/5. To be honnest, most of my settled friends are overweight as they get lazy, married with kids, you know, no time. 3. Finding love That one is interesting. First, and I know it's going to look like a BS guru answer but, sorry, that true. --> You should find love withing yourself and your own life first. If a partner cross your path, that bonus, but turning arround your lifestyle because you thing you will not find love, I believe it's a big mistake and being back to a 9/5 will not nececeraly solve that. Usulay if you choose to ambrace the nomad lifestyle it's for reasons and one of them (the main I think) is the love of traveling. If your a true nomad and choose to get back to 9/5 because you didn't find love, I'm pretty sure this one will hit you back in the face soon enought. As polyamory I have a different point of you on the situation as I don't require my partner to give up there lifestyle for me and vice versa (atm my partner is in Spain, me in Thailand and we will meet again in Vietman in a month, and it's fine ^^). The concept of living together in the same place is a deep deep normative concept that society really want you to ambrace. Settle, buy a house, make baby, buy a care, save money at the bank, be a good robot ;). I know, that one hard, sorry. But again, I'm not juging if it's trully make you happy, it's fine. 4. Finding a home "As a nomad you don't have a permanent address"? Wut? Well, I'm sorry to ear you never felt "home" anywhere exept your home country, but isn't a point for the case that your are not made for the lifestyle more than it's because of the lifestyle itself? What prevent you exactly to buy a house or rent one in the place your love the most and make it your home? That personaly what I do. Now you pointed out visa technicality. Well, that what you get when you decide to be a nomad. Nothing stop you to get settle were your are. You can open business, ask for long terms visa etc... And again like the other points, that not because of the lifestyle, it's because of you. You are just not made to be a nomad and it's fine, not everyone is made for this lifestyle, but you cannot blame the lifestyle for it. Ok, well, I guess that the longest comment I ever wrote ah, ah. I'm sorry if it's not 100% proper english, it's not my primary language and I hope I didn't offend anybody here, that wasn't the goal. My purpose is to say that to be a nomad come with pro and con and too many peoples choose to look at only one side and get dispointed. You should assess if it's a lifestyle that will be ok for you and if you are not made for it you can't just blame the lifestyle. It's just not for you like be into military for 20 years, working in an NGO in Africa, be a yoga teacher in Nepal. That not the fault of the military, the NGO or the Yoga, it's just not for you. Much love!
Hey Lesly. Thanks for the detailed comment. I hear your main point is not to blame the lifestyle for these things but as I said at the start of the video, I'm not saying you can't do these things as a nomad. What I'm saying is that these things are aspects I've seen people neglect as nomads. But other than that, really good points and you're right. There's plenty of people who neglect all of these things, even as a settled person.
Sure, I completely understand, I just wanted to give another angle. I hope you will find your way out of nomadism :). I'll surely say hi if I ever cross Australia.
Also, I thought your point on dating was an interesting one. If you ever write an article or something on the topic, let me know. I'm interested to learn more about this perspective.
Sure, well I believe a lot of more experienced and better writers already published good articles on the subject :). I can recommend you to take a look at www.morethantwo.com/ which is kinda the bible website on the subject of consensual non-monogamy and more specifically Polyamory. Then you can also read the ethical slut which is considered as well as a pillar resource. And next time your in SEA let me know, there is a small amount of us in Chiang Mai ^^.
I think this "love yourself first" stuff is a bunch of Western 70s positive psychology horseshit. We evolved for 2 million years as a tribal species, everything that you did was a collective effort for survival, and your contribution toward society meant more than anything you could hope to accomplish just for yourself. Maybe this total focus on the individual and one's happiness as supreme is a false idol of Modernity and globalization we've erected and is contrary to everything we know about human nature and how societies flourish. Man isn't an island and shouldn't be expected or encouraged to face the world alone.
Awesome video! Just discovered your channel. It's definitely interesting the adjustment period coming home as well. I live in the Dominican Republic working now, and am trying to ensure I hit every one of these points so that I have an easier transition when I move back to the states.
Thanks for your honesty and transparency Chris. This is exactly what I'm balancing and considering right now. I'm not a digital nomad yet, and I've been at my company for 4 years. But the I have been to 5 countries in the last few years and would love to do a long stint abroad. But at the same time I'm reticent to lose the long term investments of relationships that I've built here. I guess the real question is, can the two worlds be reconciled? Living in the moment AND planning for the future.
Yeah of course. I think it's about balance. One possible way of life I've been thinking about is somewhat of a hybrid. Having a home but still being able to travel regularly.
Chris you seem to be the right person to lead a movement of improving the conditions for digital nomads' life worldwide. Targets like Minimum compensation, pension scheme, insurance, networking of DNs and more ... If you decide to do it....We vote for you ;-)
Awesome video Chris, I've definitely thought about all of these issues. We share some common problems haha, in particular, with your last point with not finding a home/having to move around. I think it's really important that people who are doing this lifestyle long-term should consider working towards a solution that sort of parallels these problems. For me, as a beginner into this lifestyle, I have in mind an ultimate long-term goal which is to move to a country, settle down, continue with my business, and slowly integrate into a new culture that I know I could call home. These are hard questions that I think you covered amazingly that SO MANY people just don't bother considering, and then when the time comes for them to make that decision, they might not even have it. I know a new guy like me who focuses too much on the ups of this new lifestyle could potentially forget about all the downs and really start to suffer, so I always try to keep that in mind. Maybe you should do what life will be like moving on from being a digital nomad, and integrating into something that you think is best for yourself. I'd love to watch the process! You're a big inspiration man :-)
Holidaying back home in the UK, brings to mind the ever changing perspectives a nomad experiences? Sharing my time between the UK and China, albeit a 20/80 split, right now I am not comfortable in returning to the UK right, due to the unstable political scene. 3 years outside of home certainly opens my eyes to culturally different ways of existence. I know I will go back to the UK within the next 5 years....but saying that, who knows, teaching and re-entering academia in China and Sweden will no doubt expand my horizon to consider homes in many countries. I've enjoyed your journey, and take inspiration and your experience to help understand my own experiences in context. Thanks.
I've been a nomad for pretty much 12 years and it doesn't get easier. I agree that especially as one gets older things like finding a home base or love start to come up more and more. In the end this is very personal I suppose and I am sure there's nomads that can find enough sense of home/love within them to sustain themselves. I've yet to figure this one out for myself so I understand anyone in the comments that feels heard and or doubting themselves. You'll find your way
Great video! I started by wanting to live in Belgrade and set down roots, so my story is a bit different, but a lot of this resonates with me. I think you can appreciate it's a lot easier to solve these problems in a place like Serbia where locals treat you more or less like locals and speak English well, than Thailand where you are always foreign and having a heartfelt conversation with a local is hard unless you speak fluent Thai.
It's called getting old. Nomadic lifestyle is cool while in your 20s maybe early 30s... after that you tend to be more attached to one place only and think about your lifestyle, having a family, stability, where would you like your kids to grow... that's part of life. You also get lazy and want a calm place to live and rest ;)
I think you never understood or just forgot what your brand is and why people watch you. You are a watchable person not because you travel but because you are you. Whether nomad or nomad not, we will follow you because of your insights and feelings. Just stay real and keep giving us more of yourself
The purpose for me being a digital nomad is for wealth creation and doing a life reset. I just got out of a long term relationship and want to spend a good 2 years just sitting by myself. I wanted my business to be settled before I left the US, rather than move to another country and hope I can find some quick skill to make just enough money to live. Although I can see the attraction of doing that when you are in your 20's. However I'm 41 and don't want to live out of a backpack forever.
Yes! I always told my fellow friends, work hard now and you can play later. Hard work is always required somewhere down the line. I'm looking forward to having the option to live out a backpack forever :) See ya somewhere around the world fellow traveler! I start my travels in two week! Documenting my journey to see if retiring young is possible.
I’m back home after 6 months abroad and I feel kind of the opposite the meaning for me to be here over somewhere doesn’t seem there that much especially with how awesome things are abroad, but I appreciate you calling the community to invest in long term relationship, your future and your health.
This is a really good video, Chris. I was thinking about wealth creation before I'm even flying out to begin my journey. Do you have any tips about how to make enough to stash some away while traveling?
hmm, accumulating savings is a simple equation of spending less than you earn so there's only two ways to go about it, reduce your expenses or increase your income.
It's called getting old. Nomadic lifestyle is cool while in your 20s maybe early 30s... after that you tend to be more attached to one place only and think about your lifestyle, having a family, stability, where would you like your kids to grow... that's part of life. You also get lazy and want a calm place to live and rest ;)
To be digital nomad, must be psicological strong. Beside all troubles we get in traveling abroad, must you have to know how to work with existential crises, which are many.
Chris, bang on again. I wonder what I might've eaten in China (in terms of fat and sugars). There is one thing related to your first point though and that is what if you return home and it's wildly expensive!? Here's an example. When I left a Snickers cost about 45p, it's now about 80! I got back to the UK in March and apart from being pretty nippy it is super expensive to live here and I find myself struggling to survive! I guess this also relates to what you were saying about building wealth but all the factors you mention are about right. At the time of writing I am not sure on hanging here or returning to Asia or elsewhere (China is no longer cheap and the internet is too intrusive). Anyways, nice to see someone else having a post travel blow out.
Yeah. Definitely the cost is something to get used to but (in Australia) wages do a pretty good job of matching cost of living so I feel like it's easier to earn more while you're here as apposed to working remotely from abroad.
I do the same work regardless of where I am but it's just easier to find clients via local networking rather than purely online (at least, I find it so)
Hey Chris; I also just returned home after being a digital nomad for a few months in Thailand; (Thanks to your videos and inspiration) and I think a lot has to do with the political situation right now. Yes home is home, and yes even though it is possible to move elsewhere and settle down. It would have to be up to that countries political situation, rules and regulations. I am fortunate enough to be biracial so I am entitled to live in both countries, at least as a US citizen for now (not sure what it is like in Australia, I imagine it would be similar). which I think is very possible for me at least in the near future. However, you are correct, there are benefits of settling down in what you consider your home country, that includes paid time off, vacation and retirement. I think in the end it is where you see yourself living and if you're down to go with the other countries rules and regulations if you decide to move abroad. This is my perspective..even though it may be a little different from others. I love the whole idea of digital nomadicy, however in the US I don't know how this will be affected with the 'new' politics and whole thing about the regulated internet. Hopefully I still have the chance to experience Medellin as a digital nomad one last time, but that may have to be based on the outcomes of life and whether I travel there as a digital nomad or as someone who is traveling on a trip on vacation with my family.
Chris the Freelancer haha yes sorry, never know on writing comments cause sometimes the enter button is just the submit button..but yea.. Next time I definitely will! :)
CD: I was just thinking of you yesterday. Haven't seen a location update from you for a while. Wondering how Bali worked out. Good to hear from you. Thanx
I have been an expat for many years (15). It is a difficult lifestyle to deal with at times. There are however opportunities that are only available to expats. I think it really matters what matters to you. The choice is personal and independent of the lifestyle you choose. The problem is also that your mindset will change back and forth over time based on experiences you go through, with time I experienced a change of mindset and now I want to be more nomad than a settler.
Thats true. In my country I cant get pension too when im digital nomad. I think the best thing is to be a DN for months, go back home to leave your savings and sort things and then go out again for months to a new location
This is a normal reaction. Eventually you will find a balance of true home, home base, and travel. It may take some time as it can go in long, long phases.
A lot of SUCCESFUL long term travelers are the kids of families who live abroad military diplomat ngo international business teachers etc. Because they're home is abroad and it moves. They are the majority of expat communities, which dwarf digital nomads who rarely integrate with or learn from host countries and just hang out in hotels bars and beaches and isolated offices. Much closer again to tourists then expats. Of course if you build no friends lovers or family abroad you get burnt out! Digital nomads who dont leave the DN bubble always dont last - people make the place not cheap beer and hotels. Digital nomads should have tons of local friends or they're doing it wrong and holding locals at arms length and learning nothing in the process. How can you learn about culture or society if you dont try to fit in. You dont need the language just some effort jeez. Fake people make bad travellers then complain about traveling. Obviously some people like settling down but some also just make no effort to open their mind. Which is the benefit of traveling done right.
Wow You nailed it! I travel a lot a I almost never indulge in tourist like behavior. I always make it a point of acquainting and networking LOCALS. This approach facilitates a much more richer experience of the place I am staying. So I end up seeing the country through the dual perspective of a visitor and a local. It’s so much more fun this way IMO.
I agree digital nomad is a fad its not appealing to me. I'm more interested in actually building local friends and deeply ingraining myself in each culture. I want to really understand is this country a place I could live and love not just to check off a bunch of bucket list wishes or take cool pictures at tourist spots. I want to fall in love with the people!
I kind of expected that most people looking to be nomads are bit like me, the amount of detachment from society and financial insecurity that any of these downsides do not seem that much worse than things back in your country of birth.
I loved this video....I think about the digital nomad life and alot of what you addressed are things I have considered. I will post something soon on my thoughts. Spoiler: I love the idea of location independent but I don't care over much about being a nomad.
Kiona Assing I am location independent. My opportunities allow me to travel IF I want to. But if I want to travel, I would like to do it properly. Like a real vacation and not working during travelling. That’s just a personal choice though, and no shade for those who chose the nomadic lifestyle. :)
I like those videos that open the conversation. It's funny that you said we don't focus on building wealth as nomad. Maybe because my channel is about personnal finance but everywhere i go, i am looking for opportunities. You have an unfair advantage to invest abroad and to educate yourself as much as you want. As i think as people managing pur times we dedicated a lot to become a better version of ourself. For the food, yeah it can be a but tricky the first weak but you can find pretty easily good options after. It took me quiet long time to build a good routine and system and I feel like a retired man with his habits haha. Home is where you can have your routine i guess. I prefer to be abroad to meet like minded people's. As we say "Plus ça change, moins ça change" the more it change, the less ir change. I am thinking about establishing a base for that reason.
I am location independent. My opportunities allow me to travel IF I want to. But if I want to travel, I would like to do it properly. Like a real vacation and not working during travelling. That’s just a personal choice though, and no shade for those who chose the nomadic lifestyle. :)
I try to sum it up for me, because I am confused, maybe it will help someone else. Basically you have to consider 2 problems when thinking about it, where you work and where you stay. The thing most of the nomads didn't want is to work for someone else- they want freedom, but inside freedom there are choices. So if you tackle this problem only, and let's say you make enough money to get freedom without working for someone else (online business/business/freelance), then you can decide on where you want to live. The second part is where to live - is it one place or many? I guess even here you can say that the problem is that people want adventures, but they also want safety and home. So assuming you solve problem 1, you have money, you can get yourself a home in your own country, then, decide what part of the year you want to move, and what part to stay home. I guess for me, it would be 30% travel, 70% in my own home. Bottom line - in this world it's about money. You have money, you can decide. So, let's make some money ...
I am considering living a REMOTE lifestyle but not necessarily a life of insane traveling every 3 weeks that would be super stressful and eventually no longer exciting.. Sure I love to travel but I think what people really want is not a unstable life of constant travel and instead the chance to work remotely and have the choice to work where you want or travel if you want to. If you feel like traveling is becoming to stressful well then just stop doing it so much lol. Relax a bit stop treating travel like a race to see how many countries you can go to! I think its better to stay in one place 3-6 months minimum really get to know the culture before you travel to another place. Traveling just to see a new place can become addiction and I think that's where many digital nomads get burned out. To be honest this was never my plan when I decided I want to work remotely. I was more thinking a long the lines of relocating and settling in one place for a while but if I get the itch to travel I have the choice to do so. Also if you want to date westernized women then I would say your best bet is not to go relocate to another country but instead just live and have your roots planted in a westernized country and if you want to go travel with your woman or by yourself every now and then go do it, but you shouldn't be trying to live in countries that are not westernized if you want to find a woman from a westernized country. You will of course feel lost and lonely. Also why would you want to date other digital nomads they can be your friends sure but looking for love among them thats crazy talk. I'd rather just pick a country where I want to meet the local girls set my roots there for several months if I love the country and then date the local women. If I happen to not like the country then I probably shouldn't be trying to date the local women there lol
thanks Chris for your reflective videos. helps put d nomad living in perspective. sometimes UA-cam only shows always great stories, not grounded stories. my perspective is that your early experience as a child do mpact on later lifestyle. meaning that kids who spend all their time in Australia will travel or do the 1 year abroad trip. some may even work abroad but they inevitably return to surburbia. the rare ones who never return usually settle with a partner in their chosen country. its a complex question which meshes cultural aspects as well. for people with non western backgrounds Australia is a very different experience. there still is strong euro centric and racist thinking in Australia. just look at comments from lnp ministers. walk around on Saturday night in a big city and you'll see open racism fuelled by beer. more Australians should be like you who are open to new experiences and cultures. to most aussies Australia is multi cultural in name only and Asia is that big land mass they fly over to the old country. you can find all 4 things in your video anywhere, it's about mindset and manifesting. thanks Chris :-)
i dont think its either/or with the DN lifestyle. I think you can have a home base but travel every few months or so! its a balance between security/rootedness and adventure. Also the balance between living in the future/the now 😊
Hi Chris, Nice Videos. But about finding love, I think it's more chance to assimilate with Local People, Start engage in Local Community, learn the cultures & languages and finding someone that I love. Being nomadic is an opportunity for me to find love in another country. That's Fun :))
It was obvious. But now, after a year, going back is almost too late for me. It is extremely hard to handle the western world again. Not sure I am capable of that anymore, and that's after I lost all I had in this trip - which is my girlfriend - that didn't want to keep this going and quit. I am so , so sad, yet I don't know what I would do instead of leaving my home that time. Just work for someone and being sad in one city. I am lost. LOST.
Just another step on your path Ron :) may not be very clear to you right now or easy to take in the moment, but you will look back on this chapter and be glad it happened because it led you to the next thing and you did this thing which led to that...everything works out. Hope you feel your way back soon!
You can't focus on truly loving and caring for others until you've got yourself in the right place. I think you have to love yourself first before you can truly have an impact selflessly loving others. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being selfish in the short term and focusing on yourself, if it means in the long term you're happy and can look outwards. Completely agree though that helping others and giving is an amazing thing that can be very helpful in healing. The world is a far better place when you're kind and care 👍
I feel the opposite way as someone heading into Nomadism, but maybe this will change in time. I'll see. You see, wealth creation can only be done with a wealth surplus, and until you have a very strong business this isn't really realistic unless you were privileged and/or lucky enough to nab yourself a good degree and job and were educated about basic finances. Everyone I know is struggling and poor, even those lucky ones, because it's fundamentally too expensive if you're not a business owner or live extremely cheaply. People are either month to month, are in debt, never go on vacations but want to, and/or never even just get out of the rat race to do something fun. It's just work, sleep, and collapse. To create wealth, I must and I mean **must** be abroad so all my income doesn't go into an abyss of subsisting, at least until I have a very strong large online business. Besides, wealth is built through diversification, and slaving away till retirement is wasting away betting on your life to continue till then as well as the wealth you build to survive. Diversify in all types of wealth, experience, stocks, education, people/others, maybe even some real estate. Love, well love is not easy to find at home. Nomads know what they want to do in life and their plans usually, or at least know who they are and are usually genuine folks. Back in America at least this isn't the case, most relationships are awful and abusive, people rarely have a plan or know what they want, it's goddamn awful. Nomads are at least a little better, especially because y'all can bond easier through your free time surplus and the fun you can have together. Who cares if they want to go somewhere else, if you find someone you love your plans of Bali will change to plans of Pohkara in a flash. For me this is no worry as it must be better abroad, even with locals, especially because the niche of society I fit into and get along with most are often travelers or visit the places I'll usually be nomading in. Health, can't argue with that much, my health will decrease in terms of what I put in. But the stress reduction and mental benefit will by far make up for the extra salty stir-fry I have from the street stand. Finding a home, I'd beg to say most nomads, including myself, do not have a home when they leave. You don't want to leave your country indefinitely when you feel like it's your home. It'll always be temporary and always be a work-vacation or boot-strapping trip, with a plan to return, unless you're already homeless. I am homeless. Maybe Chiang Mai becomes my home. Maybe it doesn't. But where I am, like most nomads when they leave, is homeless. I have few close pals, my family is distant, and my ties are weak to non-existent. I have a dog and acquaintances. My home may not be abroad, but when you're homeless it's best to go out looking for a new one. I want a family, I want companionship, long-term relationships, I want a life where I matter to others, and like most people when they become nomads in my opinion, I have none of those. I'd love nothing more than to snap my fingers and have a wife and many little kids and a rural farm to tend to. But that's not what I have to deal with, and that's not in the cards as of today. I cannot build a home on scorched earth, nor do I have a home to live in today, just a roof over my head. It's best to leave.
Wow. Thanks for sharing Zachary. If you're of the mindset that a good life is simply not possible where you are currently, then I totally understand your conviction to leave. I too pursued a digital nomad lifestyle because it seemed a great alternative to the reality in which I was living previously and to be honest, it was. But I must admit, I'm not anywhere near as negative about where I come from as you are. You didn't say your location but here in Brisbane, I have faith that a good life is possible. I can relate that life at home can be a struggle but after a few years doing the nomad thing, I'm willing to give home another try and who knows, maybe you will get to that stage as well. Best of luck.
Do you see yourself continuing on this digital nomadic life forever, as long as you're able to? Or is there something about it that makes you think about quitting?
Do a head to head video with Johnny FD after your last few years experience. He may persuade you to put that sofa out on the verge and get your rucksack back out ;)
It's called getting old. Nomadic lifestyle is cool while in your 20s maybe early 30s... after that you tend to be more attached to one place only and think about your lifestyle, having a family, stability, where would you like your kids to grow... that's part of life. You also get lazy and want a calm place to live and rest ;)
I am not a big fan of digital nomad tbh. One thing is that without the non-nomads, the digital nomads won't be success so no need to bash people that aren't choosing to be digital nomads. Of course I support the choice of individuals to do what is in their best interest, but I am not a big fan of the lifestyle for various reasons (which current DNs don't seem to cover). As a digital nomad you don't seem to have things like security, healthcare, and don't get the benefits of being able to educate yourself (if you choose to pursue courses at a college in your free time). I personally have preferred to rather work for someone at an office because of the fact that we are able to sustain ourselves in a secure way and tend to get medical coverage and other benefits as well. Sure as a digital nomad you do get to travel the world but I'd rather work in an environment where I know all my co-workers as friends so that we can work together in the office. I can at least be happy about owning a home and etc. But of course this isn't for everyone (me included). It's something you can't do forever and you would have to stop at some point. You also have to worry about your next client and can't make sustainable income. I'd rather work for a company whose product/service I love to use the most than travel the world (just my opinion). More countries are cracking down on digital nomad lifestyle since many don't pay taxes. I know Thailand is going through a legislation regarding it. But we should see in the future how this all works out. Feel free for anyone to disagree, I respect opposing viewpoints and acknowledge that not everyone has the same opinion.
I enjoy your videos. Maybe you should do less travel videos. But, make the travel videos more in depth and educational. That might help people more. Also,, you can make a digital nomad training course. Covering all aspects such as tech training, gear, travel safety, nomad fit, and other things. You can make a complete course out of it.
It’s possible to overcome all these challenges- I have. I own 2 properties in the US, mortgages paid off, keeping one as “home base” and might rent out the other. I met my husband on the road - he wasn’t a digital nomad but is a retiree who loves travel - and now we travel together. I also find I get more exercise traveling because I want to get off the couch and get out. When my kids turned 18 I woke up and realized the settled life is definitely not for me. I wish everyone the best conquering these challenges- where there’s a will there’s a way!
Staying in one place 1-3 months is the best way in my experience. Travelling every a week or two is exhausting. I’ve saved more money since being a digital nomad than when settled at home. I’m older though, in my 40s so the future is more in my mind. You can build wealth while working remotely and travelling, I suppose it depends on your income though.
As someone who was a digital nomad 14 years ago (before the term even existed) and before all the 4HWW kiddies and Tim Ferriss fanboys started coming to Chiang Mai, I applaud you coming to the realization that many of us nomads eventually come to. Traveling and living outside of your home country is a wonderful experience to give yourself--especially when you're young. You will treasure those experiences throughout your life. And there will be many days at home when you're tempted to chuck it all and get back out there. But nomading is a hard lifestyle to keep up long term. You never really feel like you're building anything for the long term. Friendships, relationships and experiences are all transient. If you want to build something real and lasting--a relationship or a business--it's very tough to do when you're moving from guest house to hotel to coworking space. To build something of real value that you can be proud of, you need focus, discipline and a solid routine which are very tough to come by on the road. There are too many distractions for most people to pull it off.
True fulfillment comes from building something real and lasting, not participating in the latest affiliate marketing/FBA/dropshipping scammy popular internet business of the moment. These businesses are all dependent on other people's platforms and any success you might have can disappear overnight--and all your income with it. In my years of doing business on the web, I have known several people who have made and lost many millions of dollars. Life takes many twists and turns and the future is never clear. There are no guarantees.
Also, as you get older you realize that you can't take your health for granted. As you get into your mid-thirties and definitely into your forties, regular exercise, a healthy diet and enough sleep are necessary to just feeing normal and hopefully getting to old age without any major health issues. And what if a parent or a loved one gets sick and you need to come back to take care of them? What if YOU get sick and need the best healthcare but can't afford it? In life, you never know what's around the next corner.
At the end of my nomading career, I realized that the ultimate freedom was not being stuck in some low-cost third world country and having limited income goals and living for the moment. Start a business and set it up so that over time you can come and go anywhere you please (be it San Francisco, London or Chiang Mai) and stay for as long or as little as you want without having to be stuck there because you only make $2,000 a month from your FBA or dropshipping business. Chiang Mai, Bali and Medellin will always be there. Your youth, high energy and relative lack of responsibilities will not. Put the hard work in now so you can do what you want later. You don't want to be one of those fat, grizzled 60 year old men drinking Chang Beer and smoking ciggies at 9 AM with your 20 year old Thai girlfriend on your lap.
I think it’s a good thing that you experienced the digital nomad lifestyle, and in the process you learned about what you wanted for yourself long-term, i.e. being more grounded for long term success. Life is all about growth and change from experience. Good luck, brother.
I think this is a super important topic to talk about in our community. Too many digital nomads are living month to month (financially speaking), sure you may be traveling around but it’s not sustainable. Once you earn your digital nomad wings so to say, you’re not done, you still need to keep working to build up your finances and get to a place where you are saving and building wealth. I think it’s also really important to establish what I call safe houses, places around the world that are like home. I had a mentor who frequently visited an AirBnB in Budapest so he bought tons of stuff for it and befriended the owner, now it’s a second home for him. This kind of stuff can go a long way towards helping you find that sense of “home”. Always nice to hear from you brother!
You too mate!
It's called getting old. Nomadic lifestyle is cool while in your 20s maybe early 30s... after that you tend to be more attached to one place only and think about your lifestyle, having a family, stability, where would you like your kids to grow... that's part of life. You also get lazy and want a calm place to live and rest ;)
This video hits me hard as I also get "burned out" but you want to know something? I just go "home" for 4-6 weeks eventually get super excited to go back to traveling again... All of us need breaks, just hang out for a few weeks and you'll be fine man :)
Already looking forward to my next adventure ;)
Thanks a lot for sharing this. I relate to all of those points. Especially the last two about love and home.
It´s been a struggle lately and I´ve decided to move back to my home country and go study more. I want to "settle down" there in some form of my liking, but still enjoy the freedom to travel whenever I want and for as long as I want. But boomerang back home in between, to the society I feel like I´m fully part of and involved in. I would like to take better care of my personal life and my roots. I think this version works better for me than just going from one place to another with all my belongings on my back, usually alone and usually not knowing anyone at the destination I´m heading to. Always kind of starting again. Perhaps it´s also my age talking :-) I´m not 25 anymore. Almost 40!
I follow some groups and discussions within the nomad society and feel it´s sometimes overly hyped up and get caught up by this and start thinking "what is wrong with me" .. I should be having the time of my life being location independent and kind of my own boss, right? I am extremely grateful and have great moments and periods, but in the big picture I need to adjust this lifestyle like I´m planning to do now. So, again, thanks a lot for sharing! Very helpful.
As someone who just bought a one-way ticket to Belgrade, Serbia to try out the digital nomad lifestyle for the first time this was super helpful to hear. Thanks Chris!
you will love belgrade!!! i will be there at the end of August
I'm going to Belgrade too! :D In December.
Nice Tal! December might be a little too cold for me in Belgrade...I'll probably be chasing warm weather :)
Honestly so weird how perfectly timed this video was for me...it popped up in my recommendations as if it knew haha. I needed to hear and watch this...just came back 'home' to the UK having been on the road for two years with no permanent address...it's very, very hard. I've come back 'home' to find that home isn't really home anymore...I've become very disillusioned with the political scene in the UK and the general way of life. I've found myself incredibly unhappy in recent days because of it. I'm not against setting up for the future and planning, working for long-term wealth etc...it's something I want to focus on more - but I just don't want to do it here. It's a really difficult, transitional period in my life. Thanks for starting this discussion man, really glad I found your channel. New sub :)
Thanks Josh. It's interesting. I've heard a similar thing for a bunch of other Brits as well.
It's called getting old. Nomadic lifestyle is cool while in your 20s maybe early 30s... after that you tend to be more attached to one place only and think about your lifestyle, having a family, stability, where would you like your kids to grow... that's part of life. You also get lazy and want a calm place to live and rest ;)
Josh, I've been disillusioned with the UK for most of my life. I haven't been back in three years and I never miss the place. I don't know if I will ever settle anywhere. If I do it won't be the UK and Brexit means it won't even be part of the EU anymore. That was one of the few things it had going for it. So far, I've never been anywhere I like less than the UK and if I think about going "home" I think about returning to the Netherlands.
Chris, I couldn't agree more with everything you said in this video. I traveled around the world for almost 8 months and I moved back home to the States after my trip. I've been back for almost 2 years now and I've started having the feelings you mentioned about "possibly buying a house, getting married..etc." ESPECIALLY THE DATING PART. #thestruggle lol Right now I'm working to build a life where I can experience the best of both worlds. Thank you for creating this video and sharing it with us. Cheers, my friend!
Being a digital nomad isn’t a destination, it’s a chosen exile. It’s attraction is the living moment but living on the edge is a plan. When the feeling of fulfillment runs dry you come home.
It's called getting old. Nomadic lifestyle is cool while in your 20s maybe early 30s... after that you tend to be more attached to one place only and think about your lifestyle, having a family, stability, where would you like your kids to grow... that's part of life. You also get lazy and want a calm place to live and rest ;)
Totally 100% spot on. A few days ago I returned to my hometown (beautiful Minneapolis) after 4 months travel when I thought I'd be gone for a year or so. This video completely nails why I want to set up a home base before traveling more. Also when everything was fresh and new and exciting every single day there was this diminishing rate of returns of new experiences. I started to get desensitized to it or something and started to feel adrift like I was losing my head. Now I'm back home and I feel like I'm finally stopping to process all of the incredible things I experienced. I'm getting more out of that stuff by stopping and appreciating them than by staying in travel mode. Could have just slowed down on the road but decided I'd prefer to go hard when traveling and then just come home and chill
Agreed! I am from Minneapolis too and I think I want to do 5 months at home in MSP and then travel for 7 each year instead of always being on the road! Still need to finish my Australian visa though.
That's cool that you said this because for the longest time I wasn't sure what I wanted. I love travel but feel that I still need to be rooted somewhere. Maybe traveling half of the year and the second half staying at home is going to be a good balance for me,
Very insightful video Chris. I returned 2 months to London from Thailand and can relate a lot to what you're saying. Adjustment was difficult. I thought I'd made a huge mistake by coming home and going back to square one. But after some time, I've felt at home again, and more like myself, especially being around friends, family, and a culture I can relate to (turns out I really missed British humour!) The idea of living abroad/travelling and working remotely alone doesn't really appeal to me so much anymore. When shit hits the fan and you're a million miles away from home, without your usual support, it's no fun, to say the least. I'd still love to travel when I get that urge, so I think freelancing and working part-time too is a good mix to meet that balance of freedom and social needs.
Is this the end of Chris the Freelancer? Has another DN bit the dust? Hey, you proved it could be done though and chronicled your journey, which is more than most. Well done!
Nice video Chris. It's great to hear where you are at since we started our journey about the same time. Health and fitness have been a problem for us, especially being in the food and wine space. This winter is all about getting back in to shape. We appreciate all your thoughts and ability to think and be open about them,
This is so insightful Chris, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. I am going through some of this being on the road for a very short time and I am glad it's not all in my head.
I can't feel more identified with this video, is exactly everything I'm thinking right now
Hi Chris. I think the most important thing is that you've realized the importance of wealth creation/retirement saving...only natural as you get older. Also, that feeling, the pace of life is changing is normal when you return home and especially after that whirlwind of adventures you've probably had over the past few months/years. For me, I love to travel as well, but when I moved to Thailand 5 years ago(living in U.S. now) my goal was to earn what I was earning in the U.S working remotely and save money because the cost of living was so low in Chiang Mai. Why should I pay more for the same exact things in my hometown when I can pay much less for the same in another country and have a better lifestyle. (i.e. rent, cell phone plans, food, entertainment, etc.) To me that is the best benefit of being a digital nomad. Traveling is my passion, but because I really love it and its not about following the crowd of "digital nomads". My priority is saving and for me.... Long term travel is where it's at...to save and travel at a slower pace. 3-6 months in one location/region, go home, re-connect with fam & friends...then 3-6 months in a new location. While choosing low cost of living locations. Portugal, Ecuador, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico or Eastern Europe. Johnny FD has found so many gems in Europe. Anyway, forgive my ranting. Hope you figure out a way that works best for you and get back to making more videos!
This was a really great video Chris and I think it’s important to talk about these things. What I find interesting is that or experiences of building wealth and living “in the now” have been completely different - I’ve never worked harder, been more organised and thought more about the future than I have since I became a DN last year. When I lived in London and worked a full time job, I could be spontaneous without repercussions because my income was the same, but now I have to plan for everything! Building wealth was also one of the reasons I wanted to try this lifestyle - i didn’t like that my income was “capped” working for someone else and now I’m earning more and growing that income every month. Really interesting to hear your experience and how it’s different! Hope you enjoy being home :)
Nice video Chris, interesting feedback. I would like give mine though ;).
1. Wealth
I see you liked Bali, that also one of my favorite place and I spent lot of time at Dojo as well, Michel is a friend and I'm surprised to ear both of you pointed out nomads don't planing wealth growth compared to 9/5 peoples.
That a community centric point of view right there. I've been a location independant entrepreneur for more than 10 years now and taking care of my futur "wealth" as always be a the center of what I'm doing. And I can assure you that it is the same for any serious nomads.
The problem is not the lifestyle, the probleme is the dramatic mainstreamisation of it with shit load of self proclamed DN/Blogger/Coach/Teacher or wathever else they call themselves, trying to lure you into an esay life wile you can sip coconut looking at your dropshiping website making money by magic...
If you really want to ambrace the lifestyle you need to be 10x more organised than a 9/5, especialy as a freelancer as your income may fluctuate. Making investments and saving is just commons sence here.
Now trust me, you get as much 9/5 with no wealth plans as nomads. That not related to the lifestyle, it's related to your capacity to understand and plan your futur which a lot of people simply don't do.
2. Health
The answer simple:
A. Learn to cook. I never get in any country in th world so far where I cannot buy organic food and cook it myself. Most of DN I meet that complain about healthy food don't cook and don't want to cook. They seem to believe that part of the lifestyle is to eat at restaurant all the time...
B. Train. Again, you can run absolutely everywhere in the world, and it's free. You can also do calisthenic and body weight, free again no need for equipments. Nomads complaining about maintening health many time have no routines, no training, no discipline and by eating shit food everydays for sure will get sick.
Now those two point work the same for a 9/5. To be honnest, most of my settled friends are overweight as they get lazy, married with kids, you know, no time.
3. Finding love
That one is interesting. First, and I know it's going to look like a BS guru answer but, sorry, that true.
--> You should find love withing yourself and your own life first.
If a partner cross your path, that bonus, but turning arround your lifestyle because you thing you will not find love, I believe it's a big mistake and being back to a 9/5 will not nececeraly solve that.
Usulay if you choose to ambrace the nomad lifestyle it's for reasons and one of them (the main I think) is the love of traveling. If your a true nomad and choose to get back to 9/5 because you didn't find love, I'm pretty sure this one will hit you back in the face soon enought.
As polyamory I have a different point of you on the situation as I don't require my partner to give up there lifestyle for me and vice versa (atm my partner is in Spain, me in Thailand and we will meet again in Vietman in a month, and it's fine ^^).
The concept of living together in the same place is a deep deep normative concept that society really want you to ambrace. Settle, buy a house, make baby, buy a care, save money at the bank, be a good robot ;). I know, that one hard, sorry. But again, I'm not juging if it's trully make you happy, it's fine.
4. Finding a home
"As a nomad you don't have a permanent address"? Wut? Well, I'm sorry to ear you never felt "home" anywhere exept your home country, but isn't a point for the case that your are not made for the lifestyle more than it's because of the lifestyle itself?
What prevent you exactly to buy a house or rent one in the place your love the most and make it your home? That personaly what I do.
Now you pointed out visa technicality. Well, that what you get when you decide to be a nomad. Nothing stop you to get settle were your are. You can open business, ask for long terms visa etc...
And again like the other points, that not because of the lifestyle, it's because of you. You are just not made to be a nomad and it's fine, not everyone is made for this lifestyle, but you cannot blame the lifestyle for it.
Ok, well, I guess that the longest comment I ever wrote ah, ah. I'm sorry if it's not 100% proper english, it's not my primary language and I hope I didn't offend anybody here, that wasn't the goal.
My purpose is to say that to be a nomad come with pro and con and too many peoples choose to look at only one side and get dispointed. You should assess if it's a lifestyle that will be ok for you and if you are not made for it you can't just blame the lifestyle. It's just not for you like be into military for 20 years, working in an NGO in Africa, be a yoga teacher in Nepal. That not the fault of the military, the NGO or the Yoga, it's just not for you.
Much love!
Hey Lesly. Thanks for the detailed comment.
I hear your main point is not to blame the lifestyle for these things but as I said at the start of the video, I'm not saying you can't do these things as a nomad. What I'm saying is that these things are aspects I've seen people neglect as nomads.
But other than that, really good points and you're right. There's plenty of people who neglect all of these things, even as a settled person.
Sure, I completely understand, I just wanted to give another angle. I hope you will find your way out of nomadism :). I'll surely say hi if I ever cross Australia.
Also, I thought your point on dating was an interesting one. If you ever write an article or something on the topic, let me know. I'm interested to learn more about this perspective.
Sure, well I believe a lot of more experienced and better writers already published good articles on the subject :). I can recommend you to take a look at www.morethantwo.com/ which is kinda the bible website on the subject of consensual non-monogamy and more specifically Polyamory. Then you can also read the ethical slut which is considered as well as a pillar resource. And next time your in SEA let me know, there is a small amount of us in Chiang Mai ^^.
I think this "love yourself first" stuff is a bunch of Western 70s positive psychology horseshit. We evolved for 2 million years as a tribal species, everything that you did was a collective effort for survival, and your contribution toward society meant more than anything you could hope to accomplish just for yourself. Maybe this total focus on the individual and one's happiness as supreme is a false idol of Modernity and globalization we've erected and is contrary to everything we know about human nature and how societies flourish. Man isn't an island and shouldn't be expected or encouraged to face the world alone.
Hi Chris, yeah, these 4 sum it up pretty much for me as well. Thanks for sharing, it's always nice to hear you're not the only one ya ;). Cheers
I really enjoy how you talk from your heart ❤️
Awesome video! Just discovered your channel. It's definitely interesting the adjustment period coming home as well. I live in the Dominican Republic working now, and am trying to ensure I hit every one of these points so that I have an easier transition when I move back to the states.
Home is where love is ☀️
Not necessarily.
Thanks for your honesty and transparency Chris. This is exactly what I'm balancing and considering right now. I'm not a digital nomad yet, and I've been at my company for 4 years. But the I have been to 5 countries in the last few years and would love to do a long stint abroad. But at the same time I'm reticent to lose the long term investments of relationships that I've built here.
I guess the real question is, can the two worlds be reconciled?
Living in the moment AND planning for the future.
Yeah of course. I think it's about balance. One possible way of life I've been thinking about is somewhat of a hybrid. Having a home but still being able to travel regularly.
Chris you seem to be the right person to lead a movement of improving the conditions for digital nomads' life worldwide. Targets like Minimum compensation, pension scheme, insurance, networking of DNs and more ... If you decide to do it....We vote for you ;-)
haha that's very difficult when there are so many different governments and jurisdictions in the world.
Well said mate. I just came home myself, and I have lots of the 'fears' you mentioned...
Awesome video Chris, I've definitely thought about all of these issues. We share some common problems haha, in particular, with your last point with not finding a home/having to move around. I think it's really important that people who are doing this lifestyle long-term should consider working towards a solution that sort of parallels these problems. For me, as a beginner into this lifestyle, I have in mind an ultimate long-term goal which is to move to a country, settle down, continue with my business, and slowly integrate into a new culture that I know I could call home. These are hard questions that I think you covered amazingly that SO MANY people just don't bother considering, and then when the time comes for them to make that decision, they might not even have it. I know a new guy like me who focuses too much on the ups of this new lifestyle could potentially forget about all the downs and really start to suffer, so I always try to keep that in mind. Maybe you should do what life will be like moving on from being a digital nomad, and integrating into something that you think is best for yourself. I'd love to watch the process! You're a big inspiration man :-)
Big ups! Thanks so much for the comment.
Holidaying back home in the UK, brings to mind the ever changing perspectives a nomad experiences? Sharing my time between the UK and China, albeit a 20/80 split, right now I am not comfortable in returning to the UK right, due to the unstable political scene. 3 years outside of home certainly opens my eyes to culturally different ways of existence. I know I will go back to the UK within the next 5 years....but saying that, who knows, teaching and re-entering academia in China and Sweden will no doubt expand my horizon to consider homes in many countries. I've enjoyed your journey, and take inspiration and your experience to help understand my own experiences in context. Thanks.
I've been a nomad for pretty much 12 years and it doesn't get easier. I agree that especially as one gets older things like finding a home base or love start to come up more and more. In the end this is very personal I suppose and I am sure there's nomads that can find enough sense of home/love within them to sustain themselves. I've yet to figure this one out for myself so I understand anyone in the comments that feels heard and or doubting themselves. You'll find your way
Great video! I started by wanting to live in Belgrade and set down roots, so my story is a bit different, but a lot of this resonates with me. I think you can appreciate it's a lot easier to solve these problems in a place like Serbia where locals treat you more or less like locals and speak English well, than Thailand where you are always foreign and having a heartfelt conversation with a local is hard unless you speak fluent Thai.
Yes. That's a good point. Unless you're going to integrate in the local community, it's unlikely you will feel that sense of belonging to a place.
Hi I'm a subscriber and I'm coming to Belgrade this December ;)
It's called getting old. Nomadic lifestyle is cool while in your 20s maybe early 30s... after that you tend to be more attached to one place only and think about your lifestyle, having a family, stability, where would you like your kids to grow... that's part of life. You also get lazy and want a calm place to live and rest ;)
I think you never understood or just forgot what your brand is and why people watch you. You are a watchable person not because you travel but because you are you. Whether nomad or nomad not, we will follow you because of your insights and feelings. Just stay real and keep giving us more of yourself
Thank you for your honesty!
Spot on! from a long Term Australian Expat in Germany 🇩🇪.
The purpose for me being a digital nomad is for wealth creation and doing a life reset. I just got out of a long term relationship and want to spend a good 2 years just sitting by myself. I wanted my business to be settled before I left the US, rather than move to another country and hope I can find some quick skill to make just enough money to live. Although I can see the attraction of doing that when you are in your 20's. However I'm 41 and don't want to live out of a backpack forever.
Yes! I always told my fellow friends, work hard now and you can play later. Hard work is always required somewhere down the line. I'm looking forward to having the option to live out a backpack forever :) See ya somewhere around the world fellow traveler! I start my travels in two week! Documenting my journey to see if retiring young is possible.
Excellent! Where are you off to first?
Japan first then Singapore. Stay tuned, Ill be documenting :)
I’m back home after 6 months abroad and I feel kind of the opposite the meaning for me to be here over somewhere doesn’t seem there that much especially with how awesome things are abroad, but I appreciate you calling the community to invest in long term relationship, your future and your health.
so real & informative. i totally agree with everything in this video.
This is a really good video, Chris. I was thinking about wealth creation before I'm even flying out to begin my journey. Do you have any tips about how to make enough to stash some away while traveling?
hmm, accumulating savings is a simple equation of spending less than you earn so there's only two ways to go about it, reduce your expenses or increase your income.
totally relate! that's exactly where i am now too - looking for stability & to settle down somewhere.
It's called getting old. Nomadic lifestyle is cool while in your 20s maybe early 30s... after that you tend to be more attached to one place only and think about your lifestyle, having a family, stability, where would you like your kids to grow... that's part of life. You also get lazy and want a calm place to live and rest ;)
To be digital nomad, must be psicological strong. Beside all troubles we get in traveling abroad, must you have to know how to work with existential crises, which are many.
Chris, bang on again. I wonder what I might've eaten in China (in terms of fat and sugars). There is one thing related to your first point though and that is what if you return home and it's wildly expensive!? Here's an example. When I left a Snickers cost about 45p, it's now about 80! I got back to the UK in March and apart from being pretty nippy it is super expensive to live here and I find myself struggling to survive! I guess this also relates to what you were saying about building wealth but all the factors you mention are about right. At the time of writing I am not sure on hanging here or returning to Asia or elsewhere (China is no longer cheap and the internet is too intrusive). Anyways, nice to see someone else having a post travel blow out.
Yeah. Definitely the cost is something to get used to but (in Australia) wages do a pretty good job of matching cost of living so I feel like it's easier to earn more while you're here as apposed to working remotely from abroad.
Do you just pick up coding work when you get back or something else?
I do the same work regardless of where I am but it's just easier to find clients via local networking rather than purely online (at least, I find it so)
Hey Chris; I also just returned home after being a digital nomad for a few months in Thailand; (Thanks to your videos and inspiration) and I think a lot has to do with the political situation right now. Yes home is home, and yes even though it is possible to move elsewhere and settle down. It would have to be up to that countries political situation, rules and regulations. I am fortunate enough to be biracial so I am entitled to live in both countries, at least as a US citizen for now (not sure what it is like in Australia, I imagine it would be similar). which I think is very possible for me at least in the near future. However, you are correct, there are benefits of settling down in what you consider your home country, that includes paid time off, vacation and retirement. I think in the end it is where you see yourself living and if you're down to go with the other countries rules and regulations if you decide to move abroad. This is my perspective..even though it may be a little different from others. I love the whole idea of digital nomadicy, however in the US I don't know how this will be affected with the 'new' politics and whole thing about the regulated internet. Hopefully I still have the chance to experience Medellin as a digital nomad one last time, but that may have to be based on the outcomes of life and whether I travel there as a digital nomad or as someone who is traveling on a trip on vacation with my family.
Thanks mate. Maybe split the comment up into paragraphs next time though haha
Chris the Freelancer haha yes sorry, never know on writing comments cause sometimes the enter button is just the submit button..but yea.. Next time I definitely will! :)
CD: I was just thinking of you yesterday. Haven't seen a location update from you for a while. Wondering how Bali worked out. Good to hear from you. Thanx
no one ever talks about this part of being s digital nomad. thank you😊
I have been an expat for many years (15). It is a difficult lifestyle to deal with at times. There are however opportunities that are only available to expats. I think it really matters what matters to you. The choice is personal and independent of the lifestyle you choose. The problem is also that your mindset will change back and forth over time based on experiences you go through, with time I experienced a change of mindset and now I want to be more nomad than a settler.
That's the difference, as a DN I experience life by living the moments. There is nothing wrong with being on both sides.
Thanks for sharing your experience
Thats true. In my country I cant get pension too when im digital nomad. I think the best thing is to be a DN for months, go back home to leave your savings and sort things and then go out again for months to a new location
This is a normal reaction. Eventually you will find a balance of true home, home base, and travel. It may take some time as it can go in long, long phases.
You were talking about finding a place you call home, pretty much the next sentence you say you are "back home" I guess you just found your home.
ah perhaps a bit of a freudian slip! Good observation ;)
#4 gets me as well...
A lot of SUCCESFUL long term travelers are the kids of families who live abroad military diplomat ngo international business teachers etc. Because they're home is abroad and it moves. They are the majority of expat communities, which dwarf digital nomads who rarely integrate with or learn from host countries and just hang out in hotels bars and beaches and isolated offices. Much closer again to tourists then expats. Of course if you build no friends lovers or family abroad you get burnt out! Digital nomads who dont leave the DN bubble always dont last - people make the place not cheap beer and hotels. Digital nomads should have tons of local friends or they're doing it wrong and holding locals at arms length and learning nothing in the process. How can you learn about culture or society if you dont try to fit in. You dont need the language just some effort jeez. Fake people make bad travellers then complain about traveling. Obviously some people like settling down but some also just make no effort to open their mind. Which is the benefit of traveling done right.
well said bro
Wow
You nailed it!
I travel a lot a I almost never indulge in tourist like behavior. I always make it a point of acquainting and networking LOCALS. This approach facilitates a much more richer experience of the place I am staying. So I end up seeing the country through the dual perspective of a visitor and a local. It’s so much more fun this way IMO.
I agree digital nomad is a fad its not appealing to me. I'm more interested in actually building local friends and deeply ingraining myself in each culture. I want to really understand is this country a place I could live and love not just to check off a bunch of bucket list wishes or take cool pictures at tourist spots. I want to fall in love with the people!
Thanks a lot for sharing! Very interesting
thank you
I kind of expected that most people looking to be nomads are bit like me, the amount of detachment from society and financial insecurity that any of these downsides do not seem that much worse than things back in your country of birth.
I loved this video....I think about the digital nomad life and alot of what you addressed are things I have considered. I will post something soon on my thoughts. Spoiler: I love the idea of location independent but I don't care over much about being a nomad.
Kiona Assing I am location independent. My opportunities allow me to travel IF I want to. But if I want to travel, I would like to do it properly. Like a real vacation and not working during travelling. That’s just a personal choice though, and no shade for those who chose the nomadic lifestyle. :)
It's the same everywhere.
I like those videos that open the conversation.
It's funny that you said we don't focus on building wealth as nomad. Maybe because my channel is about personnal finance but everywhere i go, i am looking for opportunities. You have an unfair advantage to invest abroad and to educate yourself as much as you want. As i think as people managing pur times we dedicated a lot to become a better version of ourself.
For the food, yeah it can be a but tricky the first weak but you can find pretty easily good options after.
It took me quiet long time to build a good routine and system and I feel like a retired man with his habits haha.
Home is where you can have your routine i guess. I prefer to be abroad to meet like minded people's.
As we say "Plus ça change, moins ça change" the more it change, the less ir change.
I am thinking about establishing a base for that reason.
Thanks Antoine. It just goes to show that everyone's experience is different however, I'm the same with a few of your points.
I am location independent. My opportunities allow me to travel IF I want to. But if I want to travel, I would like to do it properly. Like a real vacation and not working during travelling. That’s just a personal choice though, and no shade for those who chose the nomadic lifestyle. :)
love this video
I try to sum it up for me, because I am confused, maybe it will help someone else.
Basically you have to consider 2 problems when thinking about it, where you work and where you stay. The thing most of the nomads didn't want is to work for someone else- they want freedom, but inside freedom there are choices. So if you tackle this problem only, and let's say you make enough money to get freedom without working for someone else (online business/business/freelance), then you can decide on where you want to live. The second part is where to live - is it one place or many? I guess even here you can say that the problem is that people want adventures, but they also want safety and home. So assuming you solve problem 1, you have money, you can get yourself a home in your own country, then, decide what part of the year you want to move, and what part to stay home. I guess for me, it would be 30% travel, 70% in my own home. Bottom line - in this world it's about money. You have money, you can decide.
So, let's make some money ...
Im 25 and i just started my first full time job in an office. It is hell, im trying so hard to find a way to get out of this lifetyle.
Yeah. It's not for everyone.
I am considering living a REMOTE lifestyle but not necessarily a life of insane traveling every 3 weeks that would be super stressful and eventually no longer exciting.. Sure I love to travel but I think what people really want is not a unstable life of constant travel and instead the chance to work remotely and have the choice to work where you want or travel if you want to. If you feel like traveling is becoming to stressful well then just stop doing it so much lol. Relax a bit stop treating travel like a race to see how many countries you can go to! I think its better to stay in one place 3-6 months minimum really get to know the culture before you travel to another place. Traveling just to see a new place can become addiction and I think that's where many digital nomads get burned out. To be honest this was never my plan when I decided I want to work remotely. I was more thinking a long the lines of relocating and settling in one place for a while but if I get the itch to travel I have the choice to do so. Also if you want to date westernized women then I would say your best bet is not to go relocate to another country but instead just live and have your roots planted in a westernized country and if you want to go travel with your woman or by yourself every now and then go do it, but you shouldn't be trying to live in countries that are not westernized if you want to find a woman from a westernized country. You will of course feel lost and lonely. Also why would you want to date other digital nomads they can be your friends sure but looking for love among them thats crazy talk. I'd rather just pick a country where I want to meet the local girls set my roots there for several months if I love the country and then date the local women. If I happen to not like the country then I probably shouldn't be trying to date the local women there lol
Nothing like a good dose of reality
thanks Chris for your reflective videos. helps put d nomad living in perspective. sometimes UA-cam only shows always great stories, not grounded stories. my perspective is that your early experience as a child do mpact on later lifestyle. meaning that kids who spend all their time in Australia will travel or do the 1 year abroad trip. some may even work abroad but they inevitably return to surburbia. the rare ones who never return usually settle with a partner in their chosen country. its a complex question which meshes cultural aspects as well. for people with non western backgrounds Australia is a very different experience. there still is strong euro centric and racist thinking in Australia. just look at comments from lnp ministers. walk around on Saturday night in a big city and you'll see open racism fuelled by beer. more Australians should be like you who are open to new experiences and cultures. to most aussies Australia is multi cultural in name only and Asia is that big land mass they fly over to the old country. you can find all 4 things in your video anywhere, it's about mindset and manifesting. thanks Chris :-)
i dont think its either/or with the DN lifestyle. I think you can have a home base but travel every few months or so! its a balance between security/rootedness and adventure. Also the balance between living in the future/the now 😊
Totally agree!
Hi Chris, Nice Videos. But about finding love, I think it's more chance to assimilate with Local People, Start engage in Local Community, learn the cultures & languages and finding someone that I love. Being nomadic is an opportunity for me to find love in another country. That's Fun :))
It was obvious. But now, after a year, going back is almost too late for me. It is extremely hard to handle the western world again.
Not sure I am capable of that anymore, and that's after I lost all I had in this trip - which is my girlfriend - that didn't want to keep this going
and quit. I am so , so sad, yet I don't know what I would do instead of leaving my home that time. Just work for someone and being sad in one city. I am lost. LOST.
Sorry to hear that Ron but you're not alone. Many of us feel something similar.
Just another step on your path Ron :) may not be very clear to you right now or easy to take in the moment, but you will look back on this chapter and be glad it happened because it led you to the next thing and you did this thing which led to that...everything works out. Hope you feel your way back soon!
Lol. Brb, having babies...
You can't focus on truly loving and caring for others until you've got yourself in the right place. I think you have to love yourself first before you can truly have an impact selflessly loving others. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being selfish in the short term and focusing on yourself, if it means in the long term you're happy and can look outwards. Completely agree though that helping others and giving is an amazing thing that can be very helpful in healing. The world is a far better place when you're kind and care 👍
"Live for today, for tomorrow may never come." Except chances are quite good that it will.
haha yeah. YOLO can be interpreted in a few different ways.
I feel the opposite way as someone heading into Nomadism, but maybe this will change in time. I'll see.
You see, wealth creation can only be done with a wealth surplus, and until you have a very strong business this isn't really realistic unless you were privileged and/or lucky enough to nab yourself a good degree and job and were educated about basic finances. Everyone I know is struggling and poor, even those lucky ones, because it's fundamentally too expensive if you're not a business owner or live extremely cheaply. People are either month to month, are in debt, never go on vacations but want to, and/or never even just get out of the rat race to do something fun. It's just work, sleep, and collapse.
To create wealth, I must and I mean **must** be abroad so all my income doesn't go into an abyss of subsisting, at least until I have a very strong large online business. Besides, wealth is built through diversification, and slaving away till retirement is wasting away betting on your life to continue till then as well as the wealth you build to survive. Diversify in all types of wealth, experience, stocks, education, people/others, maybe even some real estate.
Love, well love is not easy to find at home. Nomads know what they want to do in life and their plans usually, or at least know who they are and are usually genuine folks. Back in America at least this isn't the case, most relationships are awful and abusive, people rarely have a plan or know what they want, it's goddamn awful. Nomads are at least a little better, especially because y'all can bond easier through your free time surplus and the fun you can have together.
Who cares if they want to go somewhere else, if you find someone you love your plans of Bali will change to plans of Pohkara in a flash. For me this is no worry as it must be better abroad, even with locals, especially because the niche of society I fit into and get along with most are often travelers or visit the places I'll usually be nomading in.
Health, can't argue with that much, my health will decrease in terms of what I put in. But the stress reduction and mental benefit will by far make up for the extra salty stir-fry I have from the street stand.
Finding a home, I'd beg to say most nomads, including myself, do not have a home when they leave. You don't want to leave your country indefinitely when you feel like it's your home. It'll always be temporary and always be a work-vacation or boot-strapping trip, with a plan to return, unless you're already homeless. I am homeless. Maybe Chiang Mai becomes my home. Maybe it doesn't. But where I am, like most nomads when they leave, is homeless. I have few close pals, my family is distant, and my ties are weak to non-existent. I have a dog and acquaintances.
My home may not be abroad, but when you're homeless it's best to go out looking for a new one. I want a family, I want companionship, long-term relationships, I want a life where I matter to others, and like most people when they become nomads in my opinion, I have none of those. I'd love nothing more than to snap my fingers and have a wife and many little kids and a rural farm to tend to. But that's not what I have to deal with, and that's not in the cards as of today. I cannot build a home on scorched earth, nor do I have a home to live in today, just a roof over my head. It's best to leave.
Wow. Thanks for sharing Zachary.
If you're of the mindset that a good life is simply not possible where you are currently, then I totally understand your conviction to leave.
I too pursued a digital nomad lifestyle because it seemed a great alternative to the reality in which I was living previously and to be honest, it was.
But I must admit, I'm not anywhere near as negative about where I come from as you are. You didn't say your location but here in Brisbane, I have faith that a good life is possible.
I can relate that life at home can be a struggle but after a few years doing the nomad thing, I'm willing to give home another try and who knows, maybe you will get to that stage as well.
Best of luck.
Do you see yourself continuing on this digital nomadic life forever, as long as you're able to? Or is there something about it that makes you think about quitting?
Do a head to head video with Johnny FD after your last few years experience. He may persuade you to put that sofa out on the verge and get your rucksack back out ;)
haha yeah. I see he's been travelling even more these days.
Keep the frank conversations coming. So folks don’t lose focus of their lives with the hype.
It's called getting old. Nomadic lifestyle is cool while in your 20s maybe early 30s... after that you tend to be more attached to one place only and think about your lifestyle, having a family, stability, where would you like your kids to grow... that's part of life. You also get lazy and want a calm place to live and rest ;)
I am not a big fan of digital nomad tbh. One thing is that without the non-nomads, the digital nomads won't be success so no need to bash people that aren't choosing to be digital nomads. Of course I support the choice of individuals to do what is in their best interest, but I am not a big fan of the lifestyle for various reasons (which current DNs don't seem to cover). As a digital nomad you don't seem to have things like security, healthcare, and don't get the benefits of being able to educate yourself (if you choose to pursue courses at a college in your free time). I personally have preferred to rather work for someone at an office because of the fact that we are able to sustain ourselves in a secure way and tend to get medical coverage and other benefits as well. Sure as a digital nomad you do get to travel the world but I'd rather work in an environment where I know all my co-workers as friends so that we can work together in the office. I can at least be happy about owning a home and etc. But of course this isn't for everyone (me included). It's something you can't do forever and you would have to stop at some point. You also have to worry about your next client and can't make sustainable income. I'd rather work for a company whose product/service I love to use the most than travel the world (just my opinion). More countries are cracking down on digital nomad lifestyle since many don't pay taxes. I know Thailand is going through a legislation regarding it. But we should see in the future how this all works out. Feel free for anyone to disagree, I respect opposing viewpoints and acknowledge that not everyone has the same opinion.
I enjoy your videos. Maybe you should do less travel videos. But, make the travel videos more in depth and educational. That might help people more. Also,, you can make a digital nomad training course. Covering all aspects such as tech training, gear, travel safety, nomad fit, and other things. You can make a complete course out of it.
Thanks for the ideas Jason :)
New subscriber here - Just had to say your thumbnail legit looks like you’re sitting on the toilet 🤣 🤙🏼🤣
How can nomads have a relationship?
Because they're nomads lol.
say nomad 1 more time
Travel is too overrated.
Looks like you're sitting on the toilet if you look at the thumbnail
haha yeah, I had the same thought.
rip chris, it was good while it lasted