"Digital nomads" no longer need an introduction. The concept of digital nomadism is now so well known and integrated into the post-pandemic work culture that almost everyone is familiar with this lifestyle.
However, there are still some misconceptions about this group of traveling workers. In this post, we'll try to dispel some myths surrounding digital nomadism so you can get a more accurate picture of life as a location-independent professional.
Myth #1: You can live and work wherever you want.
Digital nomads are sometimes referred to as "everywhere" workers. Although they arguably enjoy greater freedom of movement, it's not technically true that they can live and work "wherever" they want.
First of all, the digital nomad lifestyle is tied to the Internet, and there isn't a reliable Wi-Fi connection "everywhere." Hopefully, this problem will be solved by projects like Starlink, but we're not there yet.
Another issue that could limit a digital nomad's choice of where to live and work for extended periods of time is visa regulations and requirements. Not "every" country offers such visas and not "every" digital nomad qualifies for "every" digital nomad visa available.
Myth #2: Digital nomads are constantly on the go.
Some may think that digital nomads are constantly hopping from country to country. But statistics don't support that assumption.
Studies show only 17% of digital nomads travel to more than five countries per year, and most stay in one place for at least three months at a time.
This could be because no matter how adventurous people are, they crave a certain amount of stability and predictability in their lives.
Moving every few days or weeks is too chaotic for most people and could negatively impact their physical and mental health, leaving them feeling exhausted and lonely.
This can ultimately affect their productivity at work. So it's understandable why most digital nomads don't want to be on the go all the time.
Myth #3: Digital nomadism is like taking a long vacation.
In most articles about digital nomadism, you'll find images that portray this lifestyle as carefree and glamorous, with the backdrop usually being a dreamy beach destination.
It's true that some digital nomads have a passive income that allows them to live a luxurious lifestyle and take as many days off a year as they want.
However, according to studies, 54% of digital nomads work full time or even more than full time. About 40% of them earn less than $10,000 a year. Digital nomads who earn over $75,000 a year working online make up around 16% of the digital nomad community.
So most digital nomads aren't lying on the beach for hours sipping a cold drink. They have to work to support themselves and the lifestyle they've chosen. It's not like taking a long vacation.
Myth #4: Digital nomadism means work overload.
Just as it's wrong to assume that digital nomads are always on vacation, it's also wrong to say that they're buried under a lot of work and that the boundaries between their work and life are completely blurred.
The truth is that work overload can happen at home, in the office, or while traveling. It's more to do with personal habits and daily routines than the circumstances under which the work takes place.
If you're not good at time management, self-discipline, or planning your day as a corporate employee working in an office, you won't fare much better as a digital nomad because you won't be able to manage your workday efficiently.
Myth #5: All digital nomads are independent workers.
Many of us tend to associate digital nomadism with freelancing and assume that you can only become a digital nomad if you're an independent worker. But statistics say otherwise.
Studies show that about 66% of digital nomads are permanent employees of companies working remotely, and around 34% are self-employed.
The number of corporate employees becoming digital nomads is growing so fast that a new term has been coined for them: corporate digital nomads.
Myth #6: It's easy and fast to become a digital nomad.
Being a successful digital nomad, like success in any other work context, depends on a number of factors, including your skills.
This means that digital nomads need to acquire the necessary skills, which takes time, money, and energy, and they need to constantly develop them to advance their careers. It's a never-ending journey.
This type of lifestyle also requires other types of preparation, including mental preparation for change and uncertainty, and not everyone is ready or wants to pay such a price.
Myth #7 Becoming a digital nomad is expensive.
How expensive life is as a digital nomad depends on one's lifestyle, of course. But it's not hard to maintain that lifestyle even on a limited budget.
There are many budget-friendly alternatives to hotels that you can explore. You can also create a budget plan that works for you by learning money management tips and life hacks that can save you from some unnecessary expenses.
Myth #8 There aren't many female digital nomads.
Many of us may think that digital nomads are predominantly male. But statistics show that almost a third of them (31%) are women. Their number is expected to increase even more given the growing popularity of this lifestyle.
Myth #9 Digital nomads are all young.
Most of the images we see in the media of digital media show young people, and this feeds into the misconception that digital nomads are mainly young. In reality, more than half (54%) are older than 38.
The reason for this myth could be the fact that we tend to think of digital nomadism as an adventurous lifestyle that only appeals to the younger generation. But that's not a rule.
Everyone can live their own version of digital nomadism, depending on their age, personal preferences, and other factors.
There's no question that life as a digital nomad can be interesting and worth a try. But you should have a realistic picture of life as a digital nomad so that you can plan better and not be caught by surprises that might disappoint you.
