VLOG 017 – The DARK Side of Being a DIGITAL NOMAD: Why I’ve Stopped Traveling Full-Time
The digital nomad lifestyle has gained immense popularity in recent years. With advancements in technology and remote working opportunities, more and more individuals are choosing to work while traveling around the world. It sounds like a dream come true, right? However, the reality is often far from the idyllic images portrayed on social media. In VLOG 017, we delve into the dark side of being a digital nomad, as a traveler shares their reasons for stopping full-time travel.
One might think that constant travel offers endless exhilaration and adventure. Exploring new cultures, trying exotic cuisines, and visiting breathtaking landscapes are undoubtedly exciting experiences. But the truth is, being on the move all the time can take a toll on one’s mental and emotional well-being.
Loneliness and lack of a support system are two major hurdles faced by digital nomads. While traveling solo can be liberating, it can also lead to feelings of isolation. Constantly meeting new people and bidding them farewell can be emotionally draining. Friendships become shallow and transient, leaving many individuals longing for deeper connections and stability.
Additionally, the pressure to constantly be productive and maintain a steady income while on the road can be overwhelming. Balancing work and travel becomes a constant juggling act, with many digital nomads feeling like they are always behind on both. Finding reliable internet connections, dealing with timezone differences for client meetings, and staying motivated in unfamiliar environments can be highly challenging.
Moreover, the reality of always being a visitor in foreign lands can be alienating. While traveling provides the opportunity to immerse oneself in different cultures, it often remains superficial. Building genuine relationships with locals and truly understanding their way of life takes time and effort. In reality, digital nomads are often seen as outsiders, merely passing through, and this can lead to a sense of disconnect from the places they visit.
Financial stability is another concern many digital nomads face. In VLOG 017, the traveler reflects on the constant need to be earning more to fund their travels. The desire to cover expenses and maintain a certain standard of living can put immense pressure on individuals, leading to burnout and frustration.
Ultimately, these factors have led many digital nomads to reassess their priorities and choose a more balanced lifestyle. VLOG 017 highlights the traveler’s decision to settle in one location and establish a stable routine. While this may seem counterintuitive to the allure of constantly exploring new places, it highlights the importance of taking care of one’s mental and emotional well-being.
Digital nomadism might not be for everyone. It is crucial to be aware of the challenges that come with this lifestyle, rather than solely focusing on the glamorous aspects portrayed on social media. Creating a supportive network, setting realistic expectations, and finding a balance between work and personal life are key to sustainably enjoying the digital nomad lifestyle.
In conclusion, VLOG 017 highlights the dark side of being a digital nomad and shares the reasons why the traveler has chosen to step away from full-time travel. Loneliness, lack of stability, the constant pressure to be productive, and financial concerns are significant issues faced by digital nomads. It serves as a reminder that while the idea of traveling while working remotely is appealing, it is essential to assess one’s personal needs and consider the potential challenges before embarking on this lifestyle.
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I am more lonely when I'm in one place for too long. I get isolated. When I travel I am around people (mostly nice people) much more.
Im a buddhist at heart and I wish to live like the buddha, i plan to move to the US, buy myself a van and move where i please, the buddha said all things in life are temporary, and i agree, i find happiness in living like a nomad, not one that travels by plane and stays in luxury resorts but one who lives rough and travels on the ground
ITS A LONELY ROAD TO THE TOP OR WHEN YOUR THOUGHTS ARE DIFFERENT FROM EVERYDAY WORKING PEOPLE ANYWAY.
I agree. I haven’t been a digital nomad, but I’ve felt lonely in my home country and I went on a trip to Europe to reset and try and feel better. When I was in Venice I met a group of people and we all connected really well. I felt a sense of connection I haven’t felt in a while, but the catch was, we all had to go our separate ways after 3 days. It was depressing and I felt really down after that, it made me realise the downsides of meeting people when you travel.
What about "Travelling with Kristin "?
I've had 0 friends for years. Meeting great people and parting ways would actually be an improvement on my situation!
most of these nomads are Godless, that's the main problem
Dude being un-Digital nomad is worst, I dont even have family
4:00
I like this balance. Like 90% at home base and 10% somewhere else.
Hi Jellis, thank you for that honest video. I've never traveled more than 3 months in a row and now my plan was to travel long-term. I'm in Rio right now for 6 months (still 3,5 months left). Even though I'm at the same place this whole time I can relate to that loneliness you were talking about. I'm creating youtube videos as well. And I wanted to do more travel videos. And I think I can. But the thing I'm noticing that I don't like so much is the loneliness sitting and editing days in a row. And while changing places, I guess this won't get better. I'm not sure. So I'm reconsidering if that is the right plan for me. Maybe a home base with some trips a year might be better. Just like you recommended in the video. It kind of confirms what I was already thinking about that lifestyle. Hope you are doing well in life! I'll hit you up in Instagram. Cheers!
This recent economy made traveling and being a digital nomad made things pretty hard at least for me.. and i hope it can change some day..
You sound like you need a traveling companion. The loneliness gets to you if you grow roots in one place. You just need to balance your needs better.
Really good points; I think we forget that we are made to be connected to others and having a sense of stability is important.
Amazing Video!
Or don't travel alone.. get a permanent travel partner
Having a home-base, or multiple home-bases is important, definitely!
4:01 the video finally starts
Hello fellow Belgian, I'm from Namur 🙂 Thanks for putting this video together. I agree with you on the lack of stability, definitely a big negative point of the digital nomad lifestyle. Cheers.
This is so true! I moved my whole life, I decided I need to settle back to my chilhood town but now after this I feel the loneliness so much that put me into depression, and try to forget this by making small trips (that obviously is not working) jup traveling is cool and meeting new people but every goodbye makes me more tired
Haha. Love the motorcycle ride edits.
Thanks for sharing.
I’m planning to travel around 4 months a year and be home here in Australia for 8. I think this will create a good balance. Humans generally want safety/security but also novelty in life so travelling for a while and then settling for a while should help me with that balance.
Also, I’ll work really hard for the 8 months I’m here so I don’t need to work as much when travelling and can really soak in the adventures.
Thank you for this informative video. I am not a digital nomad, but reading this, I can't help comparing how digital nomads feel to what flight attendants describe in their vlogs. The similarities are startling: Flight attendants say that constant travel makes them feel lonely (crews are put together by airlines for each flight and usually never see each other again after that one 16-hour flight, even if they had fun together the whole time). Indeed, I am sure that the best way to do it is to have a home base (not necessarily your country), and be gone 10 to 20 percent of the time. Good luck to you all.
Does working for Uber and living in my car makes me a digital nomad? Coz I did it for a hole year and I loved it. Now I’m studying developing online skills so I can fully dive in to being homeless.
Exactly what I felt after traveling around for 10 years
My idea is getting life savings and make a home base is some way cheaper country that in now…that this money worth much more…
Per example if you from Australia with 160k savings you can live over 30 years in Indonesia or Philipnies with this savings, (not Bali) cheaper place…and do nothing if you spend 4K 5k per year that’s mean if you can able to save this money at age of 40…you can move there and enjoy the life without worries
The main problem? Well family friends and kind of health issues /: nothing is perfect
This Reasons was very ok before pandemic stuff….need a update after 2 years…
I am from India, and I recently started talking to an American guy who is a digital nomad. One day he is in Frankfurt, next day in Singapore, a week later in Berlin, then some other city or country. The longest he stayed in one place was 15 months in Taiwan. I think this kind of a lifestyle requires a very different kind of mindset and maybe even fitness level. I still can't wrap my head around it. Lol. I'm amazed everytime he mentions his travel plans. I would love to take 2-3 short trips every year, but I prefer stability as well.
Come to Philippines 🙂
Fantastic video. Really important to highlight the other side of what is often viewed as an aspirational lifestyle. Especially, when you hit mid 30s, you realize a lot of things change in terms of priorities.
Thank you for sharing and posting this! It’s really helped me!
O my gosh I found your video while I’m having exact same life moment. I am just SO TIRED. Right now looking for place to stay for longer.
Y’all are unbelievably selfish an self centered.. it’s amazing how you have no clue of the damage you cause to the economy in little towns in 3rd world countries like mine (Panama) and how much you impact and affect the inequality index.. so much that at the end of the day the only thing that you care about and the reason why you quit nomad lifestyle is your loneliness? Wow… I mean there’s people starving to dead out there
You picked an unfortunate time to leave the nomad track.
Seeing this March 2022 and thank you for sharing this!! Super helpful for me at this point in my life!! 🙂
There needs to be a balance in every aspect of our lives and that is true in this case too.
You're right. Good message. I agree with you.
I'd agree with staying in one place most of the time. Traveling can get very lonely and depressing. I'd only want to be traveling for 2 months every year
really liked this!
Im born an raised where people shooting, car jacking, robberies, homicides etc.. I prefer to leave and never come back
Do you think its different for a slow nomad? Let's say you go to a place and stay for a couple of months before moving on to the next place. Would the sense of loneliness be different in that case since you actually do get more time to build and foster relationships in each location? This way you are not only meeting other nomads but possibly making friends with people who live full time in those areas. Also if you are used to using a lot of the digital and virtual tools to keep in touch and communication with people that also makes it a bit easier I would think. At the end of the day everyone has to find the right balance for themselves.