3 Lessons I Learned as a Digital Nomad Working Remotely

3 Lessons I Learned as a Digital Nomad

In today’s post, I’ll share with you 3 lessons I learned as a digital nomad while traveling and running my own location-independent business. I’ll talk about reducing the importance of external circumstances in life, being present, and what happens when you’re missing out on life around you.

I’ve only recently embarked on my solo-travel working-while-traveling journey and it has already taught me so much. This is only my first month in Bucharest and this morning I’ve booked another AirBnB for the next month. I absolutely love it here. So here’s what this journey of being a digital nomad has taught me.

Life Lessons I Learned as a Digital Nomad

#1 It doesn’t matter WHERE you are.

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
― Lao Tzu

I used to think that my small hometown was the reason I was often feeling bored. I used to think that if I would live in Paris or Melbourne, I’d always have something to do. And the truth is, if you’re feeling bored and uninspired where you live, it’s not going to change when you’re somewhere else. We can always find excuses as to why not to do something. I’ve come to realize that I’ve become quite a doer here.

Yesterday I went to see a band I like at a club that’s a bit further from my apartment. Initially, I was thinking of reasons why not to go, such as – I don’t really listen to two bands that are opening for the main headliner, what if there’s no Uber after the concert, etc. And then I literally made a list of reasons why I SHOULD attend the concert.

The main reason was – to take action toward living my best life. That convinced me to stop the analysis paralysis process, and just get up and see the band I like. In the end, it was one of the best days I’ve had in a while.

So, the lesson… Excuses are easy to find wherever you are. It’s easy to get used to procrastinating and doing nothing. Instead, I learned to find motivation within me no matter the circumstances and go after my best life. Not just give tips about it online.

If you’re not willing to make a change in your life, nothing is going to change. No matter where you go.

Read more about how to enjoy your travels:

16 Tips to Prepare for Travel Like a Pro // Things to Get Done Before Your Trip

How to Take Care of Your Mental Health While Traveling

5 Tips to Stay Safe on Dating Apps While Traveling

#2 Don’t miss out on too much while trying to capture everything.

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh

The other day I went to see the Romanian Athenaeum and, while I was there, I was focused on trying to find the best angle to take a photo. After a few minutes, I searched for another location on Google Maps and while I was on my way to that location, I kept looking at the photos I took.

Randomly, I looked to the right and realized that I was actually standing in front of the garden by the Athenaeum. It was a perfect view and a great angle to take a picture. I realized that while trying to capture all these beautiful places in Bucharest, or wherever I’m traveling to, I’m missing out on what’s actually going on around me.

I’m sure we’re all guilty of that, to a certain degree. Imagine that you’re flying to Sydney and you have a three-hour layover in Dubai. If someone would ask you have you ever been to Dubai, what would you say? Yes, but not really. This is pretty much the same to me. Yes, we’re physically somewhere, but… are we really there? Are we really experiencing that place or just rushing through it so that we can tick off another item on our bucket list?

I felt awkward a few days ago when I was eating breakfast at a cafe just staring out the window. On the one hand, it was really calming and enjoyable observing the center of the city on a rainy day and everyone going somewhere. On the other hand, we’re so used to looking at a screen while we’re out by ourselves that just being without distractions is rarely an option we choose.

Lesson? Look up. Look around you. Capture moments in your mind to look back on later. There’s no need to try to impress others with your Instagram feed. Live your life for yourself. And live it fully.

PIN FOR LATER 🙂

Hey, if you want to hear how solo travel can change your life and help you build your confidence, listen to episode 39 of my podcast: Building Confidence while Traveling Alone & Tips for Solo Budget Travel w/ Marisa Vogiatzi

#3 Make sure you don’t have any regrets.

“Without experimentation, a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive, and moribund.”
– Anthony Bourdain

I’m aware that I’m often an impatient and impulsive person (pure Manifesting Generator here). To some, that’s a negative thing. To me, that just means I’m not wasting my time. I’ve already planned to pack my bag and head back home in less than 10 days. But, while I was having so much fun yesterday, I realized that I didn’t have any plans for May.

Therefore, this morning, I booked another AirBnB for May. Just like that. Of course, half an hour later there was this part of my brain that is afraid of everything and everyone, wondering if that was the right decision. But the other part of me that knows that we all deserve only the best said – if not now, when?

And that’s the thing about life. We all have this part of ourselves that is keeping us safe in our comfort zone where nothing ever happens. But one of the lessons I learned as a digital nomad is if you don’t take the risk now and if you don’t make choices that make you excited about life, you’re not living to your fullest potential.

It’s easy to know what would be the best thing to do. It’s easy to read all digital nomad lessons about life and travel, the costs of accommodation in Bali vs. Thailand, how to plan your itinerary for a week in Canggu, etc. That’s the part that we’ve all mastered. But, what about implementing all that knowledge and experiencing it in real life? Taking action is key.

5 Tips to Stay Safe as a Solo Female Traveler + Mistakes I Made Traveling Alone

9 Amazing Tips to Save Money While Traveling

PIN FOR LATER 🙂