With many jobs and opportunities offering the ability to partially or fully work from home, the lifestyle of a digital nomad has appealed to many, even more so owing to the pandemic.
Living and working on the road or from remote locations brings a unique set of challenges most people take for granted. This includes simple tasks such as cooking or doing laundry, accessing services like high-speed internet or ATMs, having a variety of clothing, or simply having the same comfortable bed to sleep in every night.
Being a digital nomad might not be for everyone, but those with the experience have mastered the ability to cope, and some even excel in less-than-ideal and constantly changing environments.
Here are three key lessons from a nomadic lifestyle that anyone can adopt to improve their lives.
1. Minimalism
Minimalism simplifies one’s life and also defines a function for every item one utilises. This results in a decluttering of physical space, as well as mental and spiritual clarity.
The adage “less is more” has been evident in Japanese culture and even popularised by the likes of Marie Kondo. Although she promotes surrounding yourself with objects you love versus living with less, the end results are similar.
Nomads generally travel with just their essentials. If you’ve ever been on a road trip or vacation and experienced some of the best times in your life, ask yourself if the material objects you own at home played any part in creating amazing memories. Chances are very likely they don’t.
Living with just what you need helps you live within your means, a staple concept in financial literacy.
2. Productivity and independence
Not having an office or your own home can be challenging for those on the road. After all, there’s no boss to check in on your work, you are responsible for eating healthy and keeping well, and no one is there to clean up after you.
Self-regulation and discipline can be as simple as waking up early, maintaining a nutritious diet, getting a good night’s sleep, or having a consistent work schedule.
These same habits can easily be applied to anyone’s daily life to form a routine that leads to a healthier and more productive lifestyle.
3. Time- and money-saving skills
Without permanent accommodations, life on the fly can be costly, with motels/hotels, homestays, or short-term rentals such as Airbnb raising your average monthly living costs compared with a long-term rental or mortgage.
Budgeting, therefore, becomes an essential skill, allowing you to identify what is essential and what is not.
Brewing coffee at home, for instance, would be cheaper than going to a Starbucks every day. And learning to cook simple meals can be more time- and cost-effective than eating out, having meals delivered, or subscribing to a meal plan.
Simply being conscious of unnecessary expenses in your budget and discovering affordable, cost-effective alternatives are lessons worth learning for anyone, not just those living life on the road.