A lot of my friends think my Digital Nomad life is all early morning yoga sessions on the beach, drinking Pina Coladas whilst working and watching sunsets over a volcano. Some of this is true, in fact it’s all true, but not all of the time. There’s also cancelled flights, flash floods, earthquakes, sickness bugs, getting lost, missing family. So, is being a Digital Nomad worth it? Here is the honest truth about the not-so glamorous side to being a Digital Nomad.
1. You're Going To Get Sick
The reality is you are going to get sick whilst travelling. Since being a digital nomad I have had infections, stomach bugs, tonsillitis and more so than when I lived in the UK. This is part of travelling, your body is exposed to a lot of different and new types of bacteria, viruses, bugs, parasites, germs etc and hopefully you will be able to fight them off, but sometimes that is not the case and you will need medication or to see a specialist.
Obviously you will need to get travel insurance so that does help cover some of the costs endured should you need to visit the doctors or hospital. I use Safety Wings as they are specific for nomads. However, this doesn’t guarantee the quality of the healthcare you will receive. I have had some good experiences and some terrible experiences. In my personal experience it’s a lot harder being sick whilst travelling than when you’ve got all your home comforts.
Tip: If you know you are prone to UTI’s, thrush, tooth infections, sinusitis, bad periods, migraines etc prepare yourself with everything you need prior to travelling and take 6 months (or more!) worth with you.
2. Police Who?
This depends on where you go, but just speaking from personal experience, so far I haven’t been anywhere I would feel comfortable calling the police. Firstly, I don’t know how useful they would actually be. Secondly, you never know if they are corrupt.
I was pulled over by the police on my scooter in Mexico, they didn’t speak any English and I spoke very little Spanish. They took my driving license and told me to get in the car. It was the most scared I have been in my life and eventually I had to bribe my way out of the situation. Why did they pull me over? I’m uncertain but I think it has something to do with being a lone female tourist, basically an easy target for them.
Don’t let this put you off being a digital nomad, yes it can be worrying but hopeful there will be very few or no times you would actually need to call the police. My advice would be try to learn the language, and get to know some locals you can trust, it’s easier to ask them for help in an emergency.
3. You're Really Far Away
Hopefully nothing goes wrong on your Digital Nomad journey and you have a great time, but if anything does go wrong, either to you or to someone at home, you can’t just be there in a couple of hours. There’s arrangements that need to be made and it could take you over 24 hours to get back, or for someone to get out to you. Again, this is the importance of having travel insurance.
Making friends on your travels really helps in times of need. Don’t forget to keep in touch with people back home, let them know your plans and that you’re safe.
4. No More Trains, Planes And Automobiles PLEASE
In developing countries the transportation is generally not as nice or organised as we are used to. So far I have experienced waiting in a bus queue for 2 hours to then be told the bus was full and no more were coming that day. I took a 14 hour night bus in Mexico which was stopped and searched by the police. A boat trip to the Gili Islands in Bali was delayed for 2 hours whilst we were already on the boat wedged between people and our belongings. A flight that took me from Manila to El Nido which couldn’t land due to a storm and they turned the plane around and took us back to Manila, where I had no accommodation booked. There are more but I try to forget about them!
Not all transport experiences are difficult and they are just part of the process when you travel, but there’s definitely nothing fun or comfortable about them! And it’s definitely one of the more unglamorous sides to being a Digital Nomad.
5. Eat, Sleep, Travel, Repeat
You might be spending only a month or so in each place or country, and it does get tiring having to start fresh all the time. Getting a new sim card, finding the best spots to work from, figuring out how you get around, making new friends, researching where to take your laundry so you get your own clothes back (I once had someone else’s knickers added to my wash). Just as you become settled in one place, you are already moving on to the next. Sometimes it would be nice to settle in one place for a while. The good news is, if you come back to these places, you already have everything figured out and it does feel a little bit like home when you go back and already have your favourite spots.
6. No Entiendo?
On the one hand, learning a new language and putting it into practice with the locals is exciting, rewarding and a great skill to have. On the other hand, not speaking the local language can be frustrating and confusing. Especially in times of emergency. It’s hard enough when we are misunderstood by our own friends and family, let alone two people from different countries trying to express themselves through a very bad game of charades.
Most places I go speak some level of English and I really do try to learn some of the local language but how do you explain, ‘I have an infection in my wisdom tooth‘? These are not words I have picked up from anywhere, but they would have come in handy whilst in Costa Rica.
Download the Google Translate app, it’s a lifesaver, and before you travel anywhere, use Duolingo to practice some of the basics to get you started and engaged with the locals.
7. Wifi, Electricity, Gas, Water Are Not A Guarantee
If you are travelling to more remote places, the chances are it will be harder to find wifi or even decent wifi to allow for video calls. Some places in Mexico the wifi would be good in the morning and then go down in the afternoon/evening. This can be stressful; no wifi = no work and if I can’t work, I don’t get paid. If I don’t get paid, I can’t live this life.
Do your research. Google and check facebook groups, ask the hotel/airbnb/guest house what their wifi strength is, let them know you will be working, find out how good the 4G is in that area in case the wifi goes down. Did I mention; do your research!
There are also many times I have experienced power outs and no water. Especially in the more remote places. Hopefully wherever you choose to stay has a generator, or the outage doesn’t last long, but just make sure your laptop is always charged!
After all this, would I recommend becoming a Digital Nomad? I’m still doing it, aren’t I?! Being a Digital Nomad has been the best decision I have ever made. It’s not always going to be easy, but that is like anything in life, and also what makes it so rewarding. If you need any more convincing, you should read my post on 5 Reasons To Quit Your 9-5 And Become A Digital Nomad.
What do you think, does it sound worthwhile being a Digital Nomad? Let me know in the comments below.
Amber x
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