“Things you own, end up owning you.”
Who can forget this epic Fight Club quote for keeping possessions to a minimum? According to CurrencyFair, increasingly more people are drawn to this “rise of the digital nomad”. If you are a nomad yourself or plan on becoming one, check out these ways to enrich your travels and make the best out of life and time.
Why Do People Become Nomads?
There are three reasons why people become nomads:
1. Boredom, Desire to Change
Some just get fed up with their current lifestyle and need a makeover. Independent of reason, many nomads believe giving up on possessions and packing your life in a backpack is the answer they seek. “Less is more” suddenly has a new meaning. So ask yourself: Am I happy with what I currently have? Is this lifestyle that I built for myself aligned with my inner needs? Am I lacking or missing something?
2. Burning Wish to Make More of Your Time
The watchmakers from Watchismo Xeric, in regards to the importance of this limited resource, have the most beautiful definition of time:
[watch indicating time] “interacts with the natural conditions of our universe, just like our muscles and bones. It ticks with a beating heart, just like us.”
Time is probably the biggest investment we make over the course of a lifetime.
Even Steve Jobs said that time is the most precious resource we have. Many people struggle with feeling like they aren’t making the best of this limited offer. Nomads have a burning desire to get the most out of a day’s worth, and a remote lifestyle is what feeds the hunger.
3. Freedom and Disconnection
The ability to disconnect is also the ability to live in a free world. Sure, being a digital nomad means ensuring you’re connected in some way to the outside world, but for nomads, time spent away from Wi-Fi and connectivity signals is also important. When you’re exploring the world and not just isolating yourself inside a screen, disconnection is the key.
But how can you be prepared to disconnect and enter a jungle outside your notebook, yet still be connected to the outside world? A compass, a mechanical wrist watch and a good conversation partner who shares the silence (or a pet) are some of the basics you need to ensure you won’t get lost, ever again.
So we’ve nailed down the reason(s) why people become nomads. But life of solitary is scary. So how can you connect to others like you?
How to Connect and Meet People during Your Travels
As a nomad, it’s quite common to “be” the outsider. If you’re traveling alone, you can’t just sulk in work and solo explorations. We are all social beings, and truth to be told, it’s always fun to meet new people or have locals show you around. Here’s how you can connect to more people:
Make Use of Targeted Nomad Communities
Communities such as Digital Nomad Community, Nomad Forum, Hashtag Nomads, NomadList are the best way to start. These communities cover areas such as accommodation, things to do, co-working spaces, meetups with other travelers and more. Another option is to use services available worldwide (i.e. Uber, BlaBlaCar) which gives you access to locals and people who “know stuff”.
Social Media – Facebook Groups
Another way is just to look for Facebook groups that encourage the trend. Recommendations: Digital Nomad Entrepreneurs Meetup, Expat groups (city-specific), WebWorkTravel, Free Nomads, Location Independent Singles and more.
Make Use of Events Platforms
You can use Meetup or Eventbrite and see what events (free & paid) you can attend. Or directly connect with local co-working spaces – most of them organize networking events for their own communities.
Connecting Through Music and Cultural Events
There are several ways to do it:
- Attend concerts [big or small] and cultural events.
- Learn how to play an instrument and do street gigs. Easy songs to jam on your guitar include: Zombie (The Cranberries), Proud Mary (CCR), Knockin’ on Heaven’s Doors (Bob Dylan), Hand in My Pocket (Alanis Morissette), Runaway Train (Soul Asylum), What’s Up (Four non Blondes), Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol), In My Place; Clocks (Coldplay), Otherside (RHCP).
Accommodation and Rental Platforms (Free & Paid)
CouchSurfing or AirBnB are great ways to meet more people. While CS is mostly free (and is more suited for city breaks and leisure time), AirBnB offers the option of renting one room in a shared apartment if you don’t like the idea of renting an entire place all by yourself. There are regular meetups going on in major cities where you can meet locals or other travelers.
Takeaways: How Does All This Impact Our World Today?
To sum it up, the world is changing. People are changing. Opportunities are increasing for a more remote lifestyle. If you’re wondering how the remote lifestyle impacts the world, check out this infographic from SelfStorage.com about the gig economy, with interesting stats and facts.
Featured photo credit: Maher El Aridi via unsplash.com
