Making the most of a digital nomad lifestyle
Working as a digital nomad looks different for each individual. As a Die Schwedin. freelancer, I enjoy the freedom to work wherever and whenever I like while being part of an exceptional team. So, why do I choose this lifestyle, what does it look like for me, what do I need to make it work, and what challenges does it bring?
Home is where the Wi-Fi is
Die Schwedin. is based in Switzerland, my home base is in Berlin, and I like to travel while working for at least three months of the year. As a copywriter and content marketer, all I need is my laptop and stable internet. I don’t even need Wi-Fi all the time! If I know I'll be going offline, I do my research in advance and enable offline editing on Google Drive.
Travel and the feeling of freedom to choose where I go make the challenges of working freelance well worth it – that’s why I keep choosing this lifestyle! Berlin is a great base to have as a freelancer. Many creatives and others have adopted a flexible work style, and the laid-back atmosphere suits me. There is always lots going on at any time of day or night, so not being tied to a 9-6 workday is ideal!
I have worked full-time in an office environment, and – not to be dramatic – but I felt trapped. It is important to me to work with clients and colleagues with a high level of mutual trust and respect. For me, being a digital nomad involves a lot of travel, but my teammates with children or other commitments enjoy the same amount of flexibility without leaving home as frequently. What I receive in trust and freedom, I return in consistency and quality of my work.
A day in my office
One of the greatest perks of working remotely is the control over when and where I work. I control my schedule, so even when I’m not travelling, I can fit in midday workout classes, get some sunlight outside when it gets dark early in the winter, or provide childcare support to a friend when they need it.
One of my favourite places to work is on a train. There’s something about green fields whizzing by that allows me to immerse myself in deep focus. I always take the train to Switzerland when I go to visit my colleagues in person, and having eight hours without distraction is invaluable. Spending quality time with the team in person is most valuable for building interpersonal relationships. Whether it's drinking coffee together during breaks or participating in Lunch & Learn workshops to learn from each other, these moments help us connect and work more effectively together.
When I don’t see the team for a while, I schedule catch-up calls to keep in touch. This means I stay connected to the people I work with without sacrificing any freedom!
work with a view
Nomad life is not for everyone
Being a digital nomad requires discipline and organisation. There are no office mates to keep you accountable, time and time zone management can be challenging, and it is up to me to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
When planning trips to different time zones, I schedule my contact time with colleagues and clients in advance. This might involve early morning or late night calls, but it helps me build a routine and continue to be reliable. I maintain flexibility and efficiency by using software like Harvest for time tracking, a Pomodoro timer to enhance productivity, and Google Calendar to plan my week with time blocks for specific tasks.
Working on Google Drive keeps my files organised and easy to share for collaboration, and ensures I never lose edits due to technical issues. Slack is the quickest and easiest way to stay in touch with my coworkers, even if we are in different time zones. The message scheduling feature is useful when that is the case!
A big benefit of working with these tools is how easily I can collaborate with others. It means everyone who needs access to a file can easily access it from anywhere, track changes and leave comments for each other. Todoist and Asana are other incredibly helpful tools to keep track of who is working on what and an overview of collaborative projects.
Instagram vs. Reality
The greatest perk of working as a digital nomad is the unrestricted freedom to travel. Taking my work with me allows for longer trips than a typical holiday. In January, I escaped the Berlin winter to spend six weeks in Southeast Asia. Being free to do that, or to spontaneously hop on a train to Prague on a weekday, boosts my mood, creativity and motivation.
Taking your laptop to the beach or a café in a big city sounds wonderful - and it is! - but it also can mean unsociable working hours and always carrying your laptop with you. This brings me back to my main recommendation for remote workers: schedule your working hours and your downtime in advance! It’s also wise to build in buffers while you are travelling in case of unexpected delays or changes of plans – be prepared to adapt to unexpected circumstances.
It can get lonely as a solo travelling digital nomad – it’s unlikely you’ll have a similar schedule to backpackers or tourists you might meet. Finding a co-working space or a laptop-friendly locale can be a great way to meet other remote workers. I have made great connections by being open and friendly. Having a work buddy can be great for keeping your work-life balance consistent, and they might even become a long-term friend or future colleague!
Making the most of a digital nomad lifestyle: Top tips
The life of a digital nomad gives you much freedom but requires balance and responsibility. To make the most of it:
- Stay organised
- Plan your schedule in advance
- Find a co-working buddy
- Be adaptable.
