Digital Nomad Beginner's Guide: Work and Travel Without Limits!

Imagine waking up, sipping coffee, opening your laptop to start work; looking out the window, you find yourself in a seaside cottage in Nice, France... Do you yearn for a work style without office constraints, allowing you to travel and work? Perhaps you should consider becoming a "digital nomad"! Want to know the entry-level strategies? Let's explore more!

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‍What is Digital Nomad?

The term "digital nomad" was first introduced by Tsugio Makimoto, the former CEO of Hitachi, in his 1997 book. It refers to a lifestyle that breaks the boundaries between "work" and "workplace." Since digital nomads can generate income entirely through the internet, they can live and travel globally, enjoying freedom of location and time.

‍Digital Nomad Jobs: Do You Have to Be a Videographer?

Many people mistakenly believe that to be a Digital Nomad, you must know how to shoot videos, or that it's exclusive to YouTubers. This is not the case! While YouTubers' work nature aligns well with the digital nomad lifestyle, there are many other jobs suitable for aspiring digital nomads. Here are some common examples:

- Influencer / Content Creator

- Translator

- Photographer

- Graphic Designer

- Web Designer

- Developer / Coder

- Language Teacher

- Digital Marketer

- Consultant

- Copywriter

- Side Hustler

Countries Suitable for Digital Nomads

The essence of digital nomadism is to roam the world, but balancing travel and work ambiance is crucial for a sustainable digital nomad journey. Therefore, finding a suitable place to settle is very important. One consideration is, of course, the local cost of living and standard of living. Another consideration is the legality; in recent years, more countries have focused on the digital nomad market. For example, Japan and South Korea have introduced new digital nomad visas (Digital Nomad Visa) in 2024. Thailand has also relaxed digital nomad visa validity this year, extending it from the current 60 days to five years, with each stay limited to 180 days. You can compare before you go to see which place suits you best.

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‍Preparing to Become a Digital Nomad

Financial Resources

Unless you have stable long-term contracts, you will likely face an "if you stop working, you stop eating" situation, especially in the early stages. Therefore, it is recommended to prepare a certain amount of savings before starting as a Digital Nomad, otherwise, covering daily expenses and travel costs will consume all your time and energy. Moreover, many places require you to provide financial proof when applying for a visa. As for how much savings are needed, it varies depending on the destination and your lifestyle.

Travel Insurance

Many travel insurance policies available on the market require you to confirm the number of travel days and countries before you can insure; however, the destinations and duration of stay for Digital Nomads may be uncertain and spontaneous. Therefore, remember to check the terms and conditions to see if your original plan is still valid when changing locations. Additionally, there are some "digital nomad insurance" policies designed specifically for digital nomads; it's worth looking into!

Visa

As mentioned above, many countries have introduced digital nomad visas. Before you leave, make sure to do your homework and apply for the appropriate visa to enter!

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Am I Suitable to Be a Digital Nomad?

In fact, digital nomadism is just a way of life; compared to being a digital nomad, some people prefer to work steadily in one place and then travel during their holidays; there is no right or wrong, just personal choice. You don't need to overly romanticize being a Digital Nomad, as it ultimately comes down to you being alone on the journey. For me, I think the most important personality traits for a digital nomad are self-discipline and the courage and adaptability to step out of your comfort zone.

To determine if you're suitable to be a digital nomad, besides rethinking your desired lifestyle, financial capabilities, and skills, it's also good to learn more about the pros and cons of being a Digital Nomad to see if you can handle its least known bitter side!

Advantages

The benefits of being a digital nomad are obvious: freedom! You no longer have to be confined by a small office, and you can enjoy greater autonomy in your work, doing what you want, when you want, all according to your schedule. You can also experience different cultures and become more independent and mature.

Disadvantages

Besides unstable income, this lifestyle that blends "work" and "travel" may force nomads to be "always on," potentially not enjoying the true pleasure of travel. The life of wandering without a home base can also make them feel lonely, and while it seems like "all the world is your family," it's actually harder to build deep friendships.

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