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How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

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Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#141

Post by jimmhay »

heyitsnick wrote: post #137

I see there's lots of insightful comments here from "digital nomads." Are there any good forums or communities online where you congregate to discuss these issues?

I'm part of a paid, private online forum of 'digital nomads' (though everyone hates that term) or 'location-independent entrepreneurs' that also places much importance on solving entrepreneurial loneliness via in-person meetups etc. There are hundreds of members. You have to be doing something worthwhile to be accepted. It's called the Dynamite Circle.

Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#142

Post by narrator »

kristiandupont wrote: post #5

Having been semi-location independent for 4 years now, I have come to a similar conclusion. The theory of decision fatigue -- that you get exhausted by making a certain number of decisions -- seems to be true to me. And the thing is that when you are in a new place, there is a large number of decisions to make about petty things like where is the nearest supermarket, where can I work out, how do I get proper internet…

>>And the thing is that when you are in a new place, there is a large number of decisions to make about petty things like where is the nearest supermarket, where can I work out, how do I get proper internet etc. Whenever I've set up in a new place, my productivity suffers severely for a week or two. After that, I'm okay but if you travel a lot, that becomes a real price. And it's not rewarding the same way that other guilty pleasures are, it's just annoying.

It's almost like you should get together with a travelling companion who's job is to just figure out your new location and you'll pay for food, fun and expenses. Maybe they're an FWB too :) ? It's like a deluxe travel agent "arrangement" for nomad geeks. This could be a thing if it got going. I can see the 2015 New Yorker Headline now "FWB gets upgraded to Personal Concierge and Travel Agent W/ Benefits for wandering nomad supergeeks in surprising new trend".

Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#143

Post by jimmhay »

davidgerard wrote: post #133

If you're going to take a holiday, take a proper damn holiday. "Digital nomads" are fictional characters from Charlie Stross novels. (Or, if you're unlucky, Cory Doctorow novels.)

"Fictional" - How so, David? If you define digital nomadism as working from the road via the internet - 'location-independent entrepreneurialism' - I know hundreds of people doing this successfully.

Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#144

Post by alex_c »

handzhiev wrote: post #107
wslh wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems like there is no perfect place. New Zealand or Australia? they are in a difficult time zone. One alternative is having two fixed locations and moving on winter.

I don't like the idea to escape winter. I was like this years ago, dreamed about being able to move to a hotter place during the winter. Now when I can do it, I don't want it. Coping with winter helps you learn things and makes you stronger. And winter has its good sides too (especially for the busy homesteader). It's a time to relax from the hot season activities, to enjoy different food and drinks, and so on. I lik…

You don't live somewhere with 6 months of winter, do you?

Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#145

Post by Fingel »

joonix wrote: post #49
Vivtek wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh man, yeah, decision fatigue. I've been a freelancer (web work and later technical translation) since 1996 and we've moved, kids and dog and all, from Indiana to Puerto Rico to Budapest, at will - and the one thing that makes it difficult is that you're always asking, "Should we be staying here or going somewhere else now?" It never stops. The kids are having allergy problems? Let's move to the Caribbean! The Carib…

Exactly. I thought this was what I wanted. Now that I'm somewhat location independent, I keep thinking about where I should move to take full advantage of my freedom. It's exhausting! I want to settle somewhere but can't decide.

Excuse me if I don't feel sorry for you. Don't you think that's a pretty good problem to have?

Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#146

Post by danilocampos »

narrator wrote: post #142
kristiandupont wrote: post #5

Having been semi-location independent for 4 years now, I have come to a similar conclusion. The theory of decision fatigue -- that you get exhausted by making a certain number of decisions -- seems to be true to me. And the thing is that when you are in a new place, there is a large number of decisions to make about petty things like where is the nearest supermarket, where can I work out, how do I get proper internet…

>>And the thing is that when you are in a new place, there is a large number of decisions to make about petty things like where is the nearest supermarket, where can I work out, how do I get proper internet etc. Whenever I've set up in a new place, my productivity suffers severely for a week or two. After that, I'm okay but if you travel a lot, that becomes a real price. And it's not rewarding the same way that other…

"Boy you guys, wouldn't it be neat if a software development career entitled you to a concubine on top of everything else?"

Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#147

Post by cpeterso »

wslh wrote: post #35
Vivtek wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh man, yeah, decision fatigue. I've been a freelancer (web work and later technical translation) since 1996 and we've moved, kids and dog and all, from Indiana to Puerto Rico to Budapest, at will - and the one thing that makes it difficult is that you're always asking, "Should we be staying here or going somewhere else now?" It never stops. The kids are having allergy problems? Let's move to the Caribbean! The Carib…

It seems like there is no perfect place. New Zealand or Australia? they are in a difficult time zone. One alternative is having two fixed locations and moving on winter.

> One alternative is having two fixed locations and moving on winter.

In the States, these people are called "snowbirds". They declare permanent residency in some low-tax state state, then migrate to the sun in the winter and the cool in the summer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowbird_%28people%29

Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#148

Post by jonmy »

I'm a location independent UX/ UI, startup guy who has been doing this for a long time. Over the years, I've raised capital for one startup, worked with high-profile clients on complicated projects, and worked on my own stuff, all while being more or less unattached to a location.

I've clocked time in South America (Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay), Mexico, Taiwan, India, China, and Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand) and the list goes on. I'm not dropping these locations or the info above to show off, I'm simply lending perspective.

I slow travel - meaning I usually set up for at least 3 months, if not longer. My most recent stint was on and off Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for 6 months+ where I was lucky enough to get embedded in the local startup scene.

The biggest flaw with the article and the idea of the digital nomad as presented in general is prioritizing lifestyle over business.

It makes being a "nomad" seem like a wandering soul hopping gig to gig taking advantage of low cost locations without much strategy or purpose. Additionally, I sense the job or employee mindset in the tone of the article, which is fine, but I wouldn't hit the road with that mindset.

If you're going to take on this lifestyle you can't have an employee mindset. It won't work, and most will end up broke or bored trying to sustain the lifestyle and scrambling to try and find remote work.

A whole point of being location independent, which the article neglects is how you can be more strategic about your location, expand your network by being exposed to serendipitous opportunities that would have otherwise not presented themselves, and grow your business.

The opportunity to expose yourself to places and people on an upward trajectory, and how you can add value to those situations and take advantage of them should be a priority at the top of the list. Not just a beach hammock, backpacker ghetto or a cool place to work and Instagram.

Otherwise, what's the point.

Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#149

Post by mneary »

sliverstorm wrote: post #135
chetanahuja wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pretty much agree with most of what you say above but this: "Many people have little difficulty opening up their laptop and forgetting the rest of the world for an 8 hour stretch" I haven't come across anybody who can in-the-zone code a straight 8 hour stretch during the daytime (nights are obviously very different). I'd love to hear from people who've managed to do this.

I'd love to hear from people who've managed to do this Anecdotes about how "hardcore" people are in this regard usually wind up being worthless. 9 times out of 10, when I ask someone about an "all-nighter" they just pulled, it turns out they actually stayed up until 4:30 and slept until 9. I expect most people who talk about how they can stay locked in the zone for 8 hours, in reality take breaks for coffee, browse t…

I think you are making quite a few generalizations. I've on multiple occasions coded for over 12 hours straight. With regard to all-nighters, I've had them stretch to noon.

Re: How I thought I wanted to become a digital nomad

#150

Post by goblin89 »

sobri wrote: post #120
cmccabe wrote: post #115

Excessive travel is terrible for the environment. You can easily generate many times the amount of carbon dioxide you would emit by driving for a year, simply by taking a long plane flight or two. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/sunday-review/the-biggest-... Travel is nice, but not when you do it just to brag about having gone to X countries in Y days. Then it just becomes a status thing, and is, as the author note…

Always take trains overland. Flying should be reserved only for trips that cross water. Besides, travelling by train is much more fun.

In certain places travelling by train can be a bit too much fun. If it's USA or Japan (trains have Wi-Fi or distances are small, and it's safe)—sure, no reason to fly.
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