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, Shagufta here! Welcome to the 8th edition of alivewithad.

Now, let me introduce my today’s guest!

Lights, Camera, and Action 🥁 👟🧗🏻‍♀️

Nomad of the Week is Stella Guan 🦘

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?

I accidentally became a digital nomad after escaping from a toxic living environment that I spent a lot of money and time moving into. I was doing a furniture business in addition to my main business as a tech entrepreneur. I needed a live/work space. After moving in, I was overwhelmed by toxic air quality and couldn't breathe. One night I ran out and escaped the situation with one suitcase packed. After that, I sold everything and now I am living with that suitcase traveling the world full-time.

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

I have set schedules for work wherever I go. I make sure I am not in tourist mode. I always do trips and sightseeing on the weekends just like I would if I am not a nomad. I make sure to dedicate time to my hobby which is dancing several nights a week to make sure I am not working 24/7.

3. What’s your most memorable travel story?

I was detained by the border police in Morocco after they pointed out my visa to Europe was only a single entry and I was expecting to come back to Spain on a ferry the same day I took a day trip to Tangier, Morocco with my nomad conference. I was left alone in Morocco with no change of clothes, no cash, no phone charger, and no food. I didn't speak any of the local language and the police were unwilling to help. However, I was floored by the support I immediately received from my nomad community.

Someone gave me an apple, a phone charger, 50 Euro bill, and a fellow nomad asked me to leave him my keys so he could pack up my apartment and send my suitcase to me in Morocco while I worked out my visa situation. Someone offered to translate for me and called the Spanish consulate many times until they got me into the consulate to get a reentry visa. I had never met a more supportive community.

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

Sometimes you do grow attached to places and people but you have to leave because you can't stay in a place with a tourist visa for too long. However, you can always stay in touch with people who you have great connections with and meet them again later.

Through the Lens of a Nomad

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

China - my home country - in second and third-tier cities.

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

Many things, can't name one. That's why my suitcase is always overweight.

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

Attend meetups and join hobby groups - for me, it's the dance community.

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

Always buy travel-optimized items. For example, I travel with my soymilk maker which is usually huge in size but mine is the size of a water bottle and it also acts as a kettle, a blender, and a tea maker.

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

Make sure to read reviews of accommodations. If there is mention of weak WIFI, it is a no. And coworking space is always reliable.

Know Your Nomad (Rapid Fire)

10. Favorite city?

Florence in Italy

11. Top bucket list destination?

Madagascar

12. Best travel season?

Summer

13. Essential travel gadget(s)?

Outlet adapter

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

I love the train

15. One word to describe nomad life?

Unhinged

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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.

• coliving.com (for accommodation)

• nomadlist.com (for community and planning)

Let’s Wrap Up

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

Make sure you are not in tourist mode and don't try to plan every detail down to the minute because you will be overwhelmed. Have big, high-level plans, and let plans unfold once you are in a location.

Stella has something for you!

My China Digital Nomads coworking retreat is between March 15 to April 15, 2025, in Yunnan Province in China. http://chinadigitalnomads.com/

Follow her to know more about it.

Thank you for reading the 8th 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!

Your well-wisher,

Shagufta