This article was inspired by a section in a book I read a few months back and is an ongoing subject of conversations in Facebook groups and the like. Is the lifestyle of the 'Digital Nomad' all sunshine and rainbows? And can being footloose and fancy free have its drawbacks?
Of course, it is the dream of many. But as with anything, there are always multiple sides to the equation. What works great on one level, may leave you empty on another. That is, if you don't create a scenario that works for you overall (and at a particular time or stage in your life) then it might end up being a poisoned chalice.
There will never be full balance or the perfect mix, but you can have a great selection of circumstances which work together well, and that becomes possible now. In a way, not having choices is far easier but as long as you don't become overwhelmed then it opens up a world of options. Personalities matter too.
So with all that said, below is and excerpt of an article I wrote on a book called Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. The central premise being that the 'average' lifetime of around 80 years equates to about 4000 weeks which gives it another frame. Here's that particular passage:
The Loneliness of the Digital Nomad
This was a chapter title and an interesting one for our times. It struck a cord as there does seem to be a paradox here with digital nomads and the like working remotely and being flexible with where they live and for how long... whilst simultaneously not building deeper connections, ongoing community and perhaps feeling empty.
It differs for different people and at different times of course but this is a big subject and it's not always sunshine and rainbows, there is always a cost that may or may not be to your liking.
So let's expand upon this a bit...
Being able to work remotely isn't new but it is starting to catch on with the masses. Some are still clueless but especially with 'Covid' giving people a nudge then that not only opened the door to having to do it, but also it being a preference. Many have gone back to old ways of operating, some have taken and ran with it, tweaking it to taste.
I've written many articles over the years on this kind of thing, probably since 2010 and we were a good decade then since the OGs were out there before the digital nomad name was coined. So just around a quarter of a century, and technology has cranked up a notch too, as well as habits and societal norms.
It was still not widely known about a decade ago (seemed like it for me but it always depends on the circles you move in). Nowadays, most people know you can work and travel at the same time but it may just not be possible (or desirable) for various reasons.
There's a lot of fun to be had, and if you get it right then it will be amazing. Beats the humdrum of the regular office and life existence (Betty jammed the photocopier again; Jim's been laid off; Jane's gone part-time; Twit Island is on tonight; what's this button do; might be rain later; Tod's got whooping cough).
However, there are plenty of challenges that come with it and if you're not ready for them, or don't get some of the basics right then it can become a nightmare. There are always pros and cons, but being far away from home away from familiarity can cause a problem for the unprepared.
One such thing brings us back to the topic at hand. Friendship, community and all that great stuff. Not having that support network or regularity that may well breed contempt at times but provide reassurance and assistance at others.
Of course, there are plenty of digital nomads communities and people travelling, working, parties, meetups, clubs and hobbies. Most places it doesn't take long to discover WhatsApp groups, meetup.com events and all the Facebook, Telegram and others getting in on the act (not to mention coworking, coliving and god knows co-what else).
The issue though is that a lot of this is surface level and may not create that belonging that many people thrive on and are looking for deep down. Also, not everyone uses these things to full effect, therefore isolating themselves further.
First and foremost, you just need to get out there in amongst it. And that applies to anywhere in the world (including your own sweet home). Then there needs to be people that morph into friends and not just the whole 'friend for a night' thing. You know, when you get on with people but not end up crossing paths again, or for a long while. It does take effort. Not all that much as things can happen organically, but some sort of push to get it all going and keep that momentum.
The issue here though is even if you do these things, people move on. You move on. It's a natural side-effect of living this way. We're talking nomads here (digital or otherwise) and they may be looking to go on to the next place, or head home. And this can happen at anytime and the timeline is fluid. This can be absolutely fine, it all depends on the relationship and how it affects your position in that place.
You also now have friends all over the world which can be useful and a lot of fun. You may well run into each other in the future... but it can be somewhat transitory. This isn't necessarily good or bad, it's just what it is and needs to be considered and accepted.
Wherever you go, there you are...
I may write a full article on this subject (or even a book!) but I'll touch on it here. It really doesn't matter where you are, what you're doing or how green the grass might be over there.
That shiny object once you come towards it may actually be a bit of tinfoil over a turd. And I guess paradoxically, there could always be turd smeared over gold so you need to keep your wits about you. Anyway, enough of this turd talk (bit shit) and back to my point...
I do believe that circumstances and environment are important. So getting yourself into a better scenario and surrounded by things and people that elevate you, makes a lot of sense. So if you are in a poor situation or let's say you live in the rain, a bit of sunshine may improve things. Being around people you admire, inspire you or are doing things you want to be doing will feed your energy.
The flip-side is that you are taking yourself and existing personality into that situation. So it could well be a matter of time before the you that loved all the novelty of a new place and set of circumstances are now faced with what's underneath, ie. life. Could be time to move on? Or stay and do the work?
You'll always be there nibbling in your ear, so having a good relationship with yourself (and how you fit into the wider world) is most important and what it will always come back to. Of course, improve your situation (or change it for the hell of it, experience, pattern interrupt etc)... but know when the door closes at night it will just be you and that bugger in the mirror.
It's a great lifestyle (potentially) and an amazing opportunity. One which we're very lucky to have and can integrate as we see fit and have the ability to design our lives the way we want them (or closer to it). It takes trial and error, knowing yourself and a wider awareness. So it come with a big ol' asterisk.
Which brings us full circle. Is it the digital nomad that's lonely or the person? Both, neither, who knows. The point is, get comfortable and do you best wherever you find yourself, and by all means strive for more.
Remember: The time is always now. The place is always here. These people are the people.
Once we take responsibility and not blame everything and everyone else, then I'm sure we can make the best of it. And not every single thing is for every single person, and that's fine. Make your choices and 'enjoy' the consequences whatever they shall be!