alivewithad

alivewithad is a newsletter for Digital Nomads, sharing real stories and advice from experienced nomads to help you make the most of this lifestyle.

Read Time: 8 Minutes

Hey, Anirban here! Welcome to the 9th edition of alivewithad.

Now, let me introduce my today’s guest!

Lights, Camera, and Action 🥁 👟🧗🏻‍♀️

Nomad of the Week is Mina🦘

Let’s hear her story told in her own words!!

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The Nomad Story

1. How did you start your digital nomad journey?

It all started when a toxic 9-5 environment and a position that didn’t align with my core values pushed me into severe depression and burnout. I realized that crying and complaining wouldn’t change anything, and I needed to take control of my life. I admitted to myself that stepping out of my comfort zone and changing my limiting beliefs was the first step.

My journey toward becoming a digital nomad and turning my passion into profit began with self-discovery and inner growth. At first, I focused on healing my traumas, changing my limiting beliefs, and developing the right mindset through spiritual practices. As I began to understand myself better and build the right mindset, everything fell into place at the perfect time.

The universe is always supporting you; just open your mind and you'll start seeing unexpected opportunities unfold. First, considering my changing values and newfound passion for digital marketing and travel, I asked my boss for a position change and requested a remote role.

Gaining freedom in time and location allowed me to dedicate more energy to my work while building a side hustle aligned with my passions—creating my brand, Nomadic Dream Tribe on X. Now, I’m working in my remote job while growing my brand to make it my main source of income.

If you’re wondering what Nomadic Dream Tribe is all about, I help busy 9-5 workers earn money and travel the world by dedicating just two hours a day with zero investment, using X as a platform.

2. How do you balance work, travel, and personal time?

That’s the best part about Nomadic Dream Tribe! It’s a roadmap that shows exactly how I got my first sale/client before I had 100 followers on X... With NDT, you’ll learn how to earn passive income from digital products. Imagine making money while you sleep, chat with friends, or travel the world! This is what allows me to earn more easily, giving me the freedom to travel, focus on my personal life, and also get paid at the same time!

3. What’s your most memorable travel story?

It was when I first set foot in Bali that everything clicked. It was my first trip so far from Istanbul to a place I had written about in my journal back in university, dreaming of one day making it a reality. At 19, I never imagined this dream would come true. That trip was incredibly special—it was the moment I truly realized my own strength, as a woman, an entrepreneur, and a resilient person. It was also the first time I truly believed I had manifested something into existence.

4. What’s your biggest challenge as a digital nomad?

I’d say the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a digital nomad are time management and maintaining my energy. When you're constantly traveling, the time difference can be tough, and when you have multiple sources of income, you need to juggle several tasks. This forces you to come up with solutions for smart work rather than just hustling, so you can achieve maximum results with minimum effort. I also find dopamine detox to be a very effective method for staying on top of my tasks.

Additionally, dedicating your energy to all of this can be exhausting. Meditation, mental health walks, and making time for myself to relax during the day are some of my greatest recharge sources. I also highly recommend carefully choosing the people you spend your time with. Surround yourself with those who uplift and inspire you. And remember to free yourself in every aspect of life and approach the world with love, for that's when you'll truly experience abundance in all its forms. ✨

Explore various cultures with Tiqets

Through the Lens of a Nomad

5. What’s the most affordable country you’ve visited?

Vietnam

6. What’s one item you can’t travel without?

My journal. I use it to capture my first impressions of a country—those precious moments that deserve to be documented. It also serves as a gratitude practice, constantly reminding me of how beautiful my life is.

7. What’s the quickest way to meet people in a new city?

Start by smiling and giving a compliment to someone you feel an energetic connection with. That way, whether you're at a café, shop, in line, or at a bar, it becomes easy to strike up a conversation. You can also try using the Bumble BFF feature, which can be really helpful for making connections!

8. What’s the best travel hack you’ve discovered?

TikTok. Seriously. It’s the best search engine for discovering all kinds of great spots.

9. How do you find good Wi-Fi while traveling?

I rely on reviews from Google Maps, Tripadvisor, and Booking to find places with good Wi-Fi for digital nomads, especially cafes, accommodations, and co-working spaces. Also Wi-Fi Map, which shows user-recommended spots with strong signals, and I always keep a local SIM card as a backup for data. But truly, taking an internet detox whenever possible is one of the best parts of my travels. That way, I can stay present and enjoy the moment to the fullest.

Know Your Nomad (Rapid Fire)

10. Favorite city?

Oh, I can't... There are just so many amazing places I fell in love with while traveling. I could easily name at least five off the top of my head, and each one is special in its own unique way. ❤️

11. Top bucket list destination?

Japan

12. Best travel season?

Of course, it all depends on the hemisphere! For the Northern one, the best time is April to October, while for the Southern one, November to March is the sweet spot!

13. Essential travel gadget(s)?

Hands down, a fanny pack. It minimizes theft risk, is lightweight, and is perfect for walking around cities. You can access everything easily and find one that suits your style. Plus, it’s super affordable!

14. Favourite way to travel (plane, train, etc.)?

Plane > train > ship (bus ×) 😁

15. One word to describe nomad life?

Exhilarating or Fulfilling

Check top travel deals here

Favorite Digital Nomad Resource/s

16. Please share your go-to app, website, or a resource that helps you stay connected, manage finances, find accommodation, etc.

For hot spots and travel tips, I rely on TikTok. (Don't laugh 😹) For accommodations, I use Booking and Airbnb. Google Maps is a lifesaver with offline maps for easy navigation. Managing finances is a breeze with Revolut and Split.

Let’s Wrap Up

17. If you could give one piece of advice to new nomads, what would it be?

Embrace flexibility and stay open to new experiences. Mindset is key—things won’t always go as planned, but adaptability is what makes the nomadic lifestyle so rewarding.

Please follow Mina on Twitter, she offers personal insights, business tips and a lot of travel stories

Thank you for reading the 9th edition, I appreciate your support. ❤

I will keep publishing such interesting interviews every Sunday at 11:00 AM sharp. To not miss any edition, subscribe to the newsletter here. 👐

I see you next Sunday, till then keep traveling and conquering the world!

Your well-wisher,

Anirban

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