Hello, 2018!

You may have read my post about my experience with and the benefits of taking your first job abroad. Well, it’s been over a year since my return to the states and if anything, my travel bug has only worsened! For a couple of years, I’ve mulled over the idea of traveling and working full-time. And, I’ve decided that the time is NOW.

This year I am taking it to the next level; from working in a foreign country to becoming a full-on digital nomad!

You may be asking yourself, “What the heck is a digital nomad?

Digital nomads are those who travel with a backpack and their laptop, seeing the world while also making an office of it.

They tend to work jobs they either create for themselves online, or those which can be done remotely. How lucky am I that digital marketing mainly requires a laptop and internet connection?

One of the most famous nomadic entrepreneurs, Pieter Levels, has made a claim that:

By 2035, there will be 1 billion digital nomads.

I think he could be right…

Even if that seems far-fetched, does it come as a surprise that the movement is growing today? As Levels mentions, the sharing economy (e.g. Uber and AirBnb), the decline in homeownership in the younger generations, the growing workforce of freelancers, the availability of economical airfare (think Ryanair), and the rise of co-working spaces (I am still flabbergasted as to why WeWork thinks it’s worth $20 billion) are all just some of the factors that encourage many to pursue this lifestyle.

On top of today’s favorable climate for “digital nomading,” many nomads make a living creating products and services that enable others to avoid common hassles associated with the lifestyle, thus making its adoption all the more easy. For example, Nomad List was designed to be a comprehensive, living resource for nomads to access information on any destination they want, travel hacks, job postings, best tech gear, etc. There is even a networking cruise designed just for digital nomads, the “Nomad Cruise“!

The idea of meeting other like-minded individuals and traveling to my heart’s content, while challenging myself in all areas of life (as long-term, solo travel is full of its trials) ignites an excitement in me like no other. And as Rumi was attributed with saying…

“Respond to every call that excites your spirit.”

So, this is my answer to the call… and I am going all in.

Who knows, I may return in a matter of months learning that it’s just not for me, or things may go well and I’ll journey about for years. At least I’ll know I tried and didn’t sit in a cubicle simply wondering.

In February, I’ll be meeting a friend in Cartagena, Colombia, then go to Uruguay, then possibly Buenos Aires for a couple of months and then… who knows?! Meanwhile, I’ll be fortunate to work for clients that I’ve built relationships with over the last couple of years.

Downsides

No, of course it won’t be rainbows and butterflies 100% of the time:

Yes, I did have to give up an incredible job in San Diego, which I enjoyed greatly and am thankful for having had.

Yes, I will certainly face days of loneliness, confusion, travel mishaps, culture-shock, illness, and more!

Yes, there is always risk, but as a seasoned traveler, I’m highly confident I’ll minimize any dangerous threats.

Yes, it’s inevitable that I’ll be bombarded with questions about President Trump’s erratic behavior by appalled strangers everywhere I go, finding myself with absolutely no good answer!

Upsides

What are the things I hope to walk away with from being a digital nomad?

A greater sense of self-confidence and self-reliance. I already see a huge change in me since before I started traveling.

New business opportunities.

Connections from many places, and many places and people forever connected to my heart.

Experiences that you just can’t get unless you GO there.

Love? Yes? Maybe?!

Thanks for reading! Are you also planning to do something crazy in 2018?

Let me know!