Today I’d like to share some Digital Nomad lessons that I’ve learned along the years and that I hope could be handy for anyone considering this extraordinary lifestyle. As remote work becomes more and more popular (no matter how much the corporations try to fight it), digital nomading is growing too.
I’ve already covered in a previous article the Pros and Cons of being a Digital Nomad. But today I’m digging a little bit deeper. I’m going to be looking at Digital Nomading from my personal perspective but also a bit more widely.
There are no two Digital Nomads who would experience this lifestyle the same way. Instead, every single nomad journey is different. I wonder how many of these lessons you can relate with?
5 Digital Nomad Lessons Learned
Before we dig in, let’s recap what a digital nomad actually even means.
- Digital Nomads are – as the title suggests – modern day nomads who change location constantly because they are able to work wherever.
- They most often work in online industries, which makes such a wide freedom of movement possible.
- The phenomena exploded into mainstream knowledge and popularity in 2019 and has maintained a steady growth ever since.
It’s a brand new way to exist and “execute” life, and as such it definitely doesn’t suit everyone. Which brings me to my first Digital Nomad Lesson: home is a flexible concept to me.
1. Home is much more than just one house/apartment
The idea of ‘home’ was a bit vague for me from the get-go. I was born in a country that never felt like I belonged there, so considering it as a ‘home country’ never felt natural to me. Sure, when coming home from school I always went ‘home’. But I always felt like there was more to it than that one house…
As soon as I was able I moved abroad. It was such a wholesome experience! And it opened my eyes to the fact that grass truly can be greener on the other side.
And as I kept on moving from one country to another, while constantly thinking about where I want to go next, this was confirmed. Home is where we make it and for me it’s not a specific house or a community. It’s me!
Home is where the heart is.
The place where I feel safe and secure; the place I trust; the place I know will enable me to get through whatever Life throws my way. I’m never lost cause wherever I am, Home is there ♥
Read also: Digital Nomad Accommodation – How Do Digital Nomads Live in 2026
2. Most people don’t want to live like this
Next in line for my Digital Nomad Lessons learned is that this lifestyle doesn’t actually suit that many people. Most humans don’t like it when things around them change, some even hate change. And I sort of get it; change means you need to focus and adapt to something unfamiliar. And unfamiliarity often feels scary.
So, most people are even happy to give up on privileges and freedoms in order to maintain the status quo. And that baffles me because I’ve never wanted anything else but pure freedom.
Freedom to choose where I go, when, how and why, and then just GOING without any limitations or restrictions! And also the freedom to do exactly what I want wherever, whenever I want. Not what somebody else wants me to do and especially not where somebody else wants me to do it.
I’ve never gotten the gist of taking orders from anyone else but myself. It’s my life so I should decide! But I’ve come to realise that that’s probably because I’m able to manage myself.
- I have discipline
- I’ve got a good understanding of what’s important and what isn’t
- I’m aware or what needs to get done and what doesn’t.
I guess for a lot of people it’s easier or simpler to be told what to do. That way they don’t need to take any responsibility for themselves. Because yes, it takes a certain kind of inner strength to do that. I just think it’s a shame that so many lack such inner strength…
3. Stability doesn’t suit me
To continue from the previous point, I’ve come to realise that I start to wilt like a flower when I stay still. There was a point when I traveled for 3 months straight changing cities or countries every 2 weeks. Now that is some hard work!
As much as you may love traveling, being on the move non-stop makes you tired both physically and mentally. So, naturally after that period I started thinking if maybe some stability might do me some good. But you know what they say: be careful what you wish for!
Because not long after that I found myself in a situation where my savings had been emptied and it seemed like my business was going to be making a loss. Traveling came to a sudden halt. Thankfully my business didn’t end up making any loss but it rooted me to a spot for a while.
4. I have a whole new appreciation for small everyday things
At one point I spent a year living in a hotel. And oh, when I tell you that year was filled with Digital Nomad Lessons, I mean it! One of the biggest lessons were the little difficulties that came from lacking two very basic things:
- a washing machine to wash my own clothes
- a kitchen to cook my own food.
I visited the Home of homes (Finland) a lot that year, so I took my laundry to my mum (as you do as a +30-year-old). There are laundry services available in hotels but it’s extra cost and for some reason I didn’t feel comfortable making them wash my undies for me :D
And the kitchen! Now, if you can eat out every day, that’s a very privileged position to be in. But after a while that privilege starts to lose its shine, let me tell ya. There will come a day when everything starts tasting the same: greasy and salty. Simply because that’s what the best flavours on the planet are based on!
So, eventually one needs a change. And that’s how someone like me, who never cared about cooking, can suddenly find the absolute joy that cooking can be! This is one of my favourite Digital Nomad lessons because I will never underestimate the basic home appliances like a fridge or a proper coffee machine ever again.
5. Traveling taught me who I am and opened my eyes to the World around me
Most of us experience this vast world around us only through news on the TV and maybe an occasional beach holiday in a popular tourist destination. Now, would you believe me if I told you that those two things teach you absolutely nothing about abroad?
Especially these days when the news are more likely to lie in our faces than provide us with facts. And when you travel to a country to stay within the tourist infested areas and vacate Irish bars for breakfast, lunch and dinner, can you actually say you’ve been to another country? What can you tell about that country’s culture and people?
Nothing really. Travel as such does not broaden the mind. But one of my biggest Digital Nomad lessons has been to realise the value that staying in another country for longer than a week has. When you get to experience another culture you automatically gain perspective.
And with perspective comes this whole new outlook to yourself but also everyone and everything around you. With so much racism in the world today, one of my favourite lessons has been to notice that at the end of the day we ALL want exactly the same things.
We are no different regardless of culture, language, skin colour or religion because at the core we all want:
- peace and safety
- sustenance, preferably tasty
- meaningful social connections.
Anything you want other than what is included in these 3 categories is obsolete. You want more all the time because you’re not okay. Fix that before it’s too late!
Final Thoughts
Probably the most important out of all the Digital Nomad lessons for me is the fact that I was born to live like this. A lifestyle of perhaps less stability but also so much richness and abundance in every possible way.
Will I ever pick one place and settle down there for good? Honestly, I doubt it. Even though Tallinn has been my ‘base’ for almost a decade already, it’s not a place I see myself spending all year every year.
Simply because the winters there are simply not for me! But also because my community consists of other immigrants: if they move away, what reason would I have to go back to Estonia?
And as long as I am able and have the necessary financial security I will be leaving Estonia again and again and again, just as I’ve done these 10 years. Maybe I will always return to Estonia, but it’s just to catch my breath before I go again. And I love that for myself ♥
FAQ
What is a digital nomad?
A digital nomad is someone who leverages technology to work remotely while traveling or living in different locations. This lifestyle allows individuals to explore new cultures and environments while working full-time. Digital nomads often work in fields such as tech, writing, design, and marketing, where remote work is feasible.
How do digital nomads find work?
Digital nomads typically find work through online job platforms, freelance websites, and networking within their industry. Many also build their own businesses or offer consulting services, allowing them to create a flexible work schedule. Social media and professional networks like LinkedIn can also be valuable for connecting with potential clients and employers.
What are the challenges faced by digital nomads?
Digital nomads often face challenges such as maintaining a stable internet connection, managing time zones, and dealing with loneliness. Additionally, navigating visa requirements and finding suitable accommodations can be complex, especially for non-EU citizens. Balancing work and travel can also be difficult, as the allure of new experiences can be very distracting from professional commitments.
What are the best destinations for digital nomads?
Popular destinations for digital nomads include cities like Bali, Tallinn, Lisbon, and Medellín, known for their affordable living costs and vibrant communities. These locations often have co-working spaces, reliable internet, and a network of other remote workers, making it easier to connect and collaborate. Ultimately, the best destination depends on personal preferences, such as climate, culture, and lifestyle.
