The Pros and Cons of Living as a Digital Nomad

There's a sense of romanticism that comes with the nomadic lifestyle. While many people are born to be nomads, others may find the idea of living without a fixed location to be extremely frightening. Making the decision to go completely rogue demands considerable thought and is certainly not for everyone. In this article, we're going to explore some of the pros and cons of the nomadic lifestyle and see if it is the right fit for you.

Pros of the Nomadic Lifestyle 

Freedom: living a nomadic lifestyle allows you to bring your whole life with you wherever you go. Minimalism is often key to freedom as many times our possessions can tie us down. In this day and age, you can pack everything you own in a suitcase and find yourself in a nice furnished apartment wherever you are across the globe.

Flexibility: today, you can theoretically work and even study from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. And when I say study, I'm talking about actual degrees such as MBAs, master of arts in liberal studies or even an online master's in philosophy. Rutgers University is one of the many institutions that offer courses that you can take completely online. Living as a digital nomad allows you to set up shop anywhere, and pack up whenever you wish without losing a step. 

Explore new horizons: one of the most powerful effects of living a nomadic lifestyle is that it opens you up to new cultures and people. Unfortunately, lots of people today lack the perspective it takes to make sense of current events, but being well travelled and being exposed to a completely different world view will definitely make you a better person.

Cons of the Nomadic Lifestyle 

Security: living a nomadic lifestyle will force you to step out of your comfort zone and you'll often fall prey to circumstances. When you're living abroad, you won't have the safety net you would be able to fall back on in case of adversity and will often have to act on survival instincts and rely on your resourcefulness to make it through.

Budgeting: no matter how much you plan, there is always a chance for unexpected expenses or even technical difficulties that might put you in a bad situation. Not only that, but you might also have financial responsibilities back home you still need to take care of, such as mortgages, student debts or utility bills. These are all things that should definitely be taken into consideration before you make the jump.

Losing credentials: if you have to re-enter the workforce after going as a nomad after a while, you might have to explain the gap in your resume to your future employers. Furthermore, some employees might see your nomadic lifestyle as a liability and choose to go for someone more stable.

All these factors have to be considered before you embark on your journey. If you're still on the fence, talk with other travelers, they might be best suited to give you advice on the nomadic lifestyle and what to expect.