Embracing the Digital Nomad Lifestyle with iBestTravel

Have you been tempted by a lifestyle that allows you to travel all year long while earning money? Has the pandemic allowed you to embrace remote working for the first time? Fabienne Fong Yan shares her experience to help new digital nomads feel more connected to the real world.

In 2015, I quit my 9-5 (which was more like a 9-8) in Paris. Four years as a consultant in a social media agency gave me just enough credit, experience, and contacts to go freelance right away. It wasn’t long before I realized the place I worked from didn’t matter, as long as I could deliver as quickly as time differences made possible. However, this lifestyle can also have its pitfalls, which I needed to learn to navigate.

Find a Sustainable Rhythm of Work

One of the most significant challenges encountered while working remotely and frequently changing locations is the absence of boundaries. Initially, the flexibility in schedule and location can be intoxicating. Few things are more enriching than hopping from one community to another, listening to new stories, and meeting travelers from all over the world. You become a social butterfly, and the travel community feels like a vast field of flowers.

During my early months of nomadism, I was so elated by the newness and freedom that I almost forgot I needed time and focus to deliver quality work. But reality soon reminded me I couldn’t afford the same rhythm as those traveling just for a holiday. Even on the other side of the world, clients are waiting for your work, so it’s essential to achieve the right work-life balance while on the move.

I also quickly learned that spending days in remote areas should be avoided. I once found myself making client calls and attempting Google document updates from an almost disconnected hostel at the foot of Machu Picchu, Peru. You can get away with poor Wi-Fi excuses only so many times. Therefore, it’s wise to work from cities with reliable Wi-Fi to maintain efficiency.

Choose a Base-City that Fuels Your Growth

I used to change countries every month, sightseeing while meeting deadlines all at once. Over time, I felt growing fatigue, workload stress, and frustration due to mismatched schedules with other travelers. I was never long enough in one place to make friends or fully connect with other tourists. Eventually, I realized the value of choosing a base-city instead of constantly being on-the-go.

When selecting a base-city, material considerations are primary; however, the city should also foster your social, creative, and professional growth. For me, Berlin was the one. It was a relief to have my own room after living out of a 40-liter backpack. Moving in with close friends also alleviated the looming threat of loneliness.

Once settled— even temporarily— it’s easier to grow professionally. When you are not worried about your accommodation for the following night, you inevitably make more time to focus on your skills, take better care of clients, meet like-minded project-makers, and fuel your productivity.

Choosing a base should not prevent you from exploring other places. When I found myself in Hanoi years later, there was hardly a month without a trip outside the city or to another Southeast Asian country. A city can serve as a solid base for digital nomads if it supports their development as professionals and their happiness as travelers.

Foster Meaningful Connections, Both Virtual and Real

Maintaining relationships while traveling long-term is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of the digital nomad experience. I have found that one way to cultivate stability is to learn how to care for these relationships despite the distance. Technology and instant messaging are not just tools for remote workers; they also facilitate regular and clear communication.

Your strength to pursue your dreams in distant lands is reinforced by knowing that some people will make a home for you when you return.

Make Space for the Unexpected

The flexibility associated with the digital nomad lifestyle allows for the embrace of unexpected opportunities. My plan was never to stay in Hanoi when I first landed; however, I let the city and its people surprise me. Days turned into weeks, and I eventually moved into a house, co-founded a small business in tourism, and integrated into one of the most fascinating communities along Hanoi Train Street.

We never know what life has in store, but maintaining an open and flexible mindset while traveling can lead to surprising opportunities. You can enhance your chances of finding a real-life community by adhering to a few basic rules: learn some of the local language, observe and respect traditions, strive to make friends with locals, and seek guidance from them. With a curiosity-driven approach, your chances of enriching your experiences multiply.

Work Collaboratively to Bridge Cultural Gaps

When I met Thao, the young Vietnamese woman who created the first coffee shop on Hanoi Train Street, our friendship blossomed into a partnership. She introduced me to our neighbors and educated me on the customs of such a unique community. The support of a friend willing to bridge not only language but also cultural gaps is invaluable.

Initially, residents greeted me with suspicion. However, persistence pays off. One day, our elderly neighbor invited me to eat. Subsequently, our younger neighbor entrusted me with her one-year-old son while she cooked. From that point forward, I was flooded with food offerings. “If you want to keep somebody close, feed them well,” Vietnamese people say. And I was very well fed.

Sometimes, all your travel plans can unravel due to a single encounter. Yet, this is one of the most important lessons I have learned as a digital nomad: don’t cling too tightly to your itinerary. Often, the most rewarding journey happens within when you slow down and surround yourself with people who are eager to build connections.

This article was originally published January 2020 and updated October 2020.