Why You Should Not Be A Digital Nomad

Hey! Lovely people! Did you miss us? 👀

It’s Mariam here, cozy with my coffee, ready to talk about the digital nomad lifestyle.

You know how this lifestyle is supposed to be — working from a beach or a Parisian café, juggling adventure and work (while looking fabulous).

But before you pack your bags, let me share why this life might not be the dream you imagine.

Waaaait—did I introduce myself? If you don’t know me I am Mariam Joui, here’s my profile LinkedIn, Dm me if you need anyyyyyy help with (Marketing, email marketing, LI, or writing)

(Sorry Shagufta for exploiting your newsletter🤡)

Now you are all set up for a nomadic lifestyle. I know you think it looks exciting but the reality is the opposite of the popular notion.

Before jumping into this lifestyle, you must understand how many challenges you’ll have to face and even if they’re worth the effort or not. Okey, let’s dive right in!

1. Health Concerns Are Real (That Cute Beach Setup? Maybe Not So Cute)

Working from a hammock on a beach sounds great, but have you thought about your back or posture after days (or months) without a proper desk?

Poor ergonomics can lead to long-term health issues, and finding good workspaces while traveling is not always easy.

2. Loneliness (Spoiler: It’s Not Always the Instagrammable Life You Imagine)

It’s easy to romanticize the idea of constantly meeting new people, but in reality, building deep connections can be tough.

You might find yourself alone in unfamiliar places, and not every destination has a community of like-minded nomads.

3. Stability vs. Adventure

While the freedom to explore new places is amazing, the lack of routine can make life feel unstable. Constantly moving can lead to fatigue and burnout—something not often talked about in the #nomadlife.

Ask Yourself: Do you thrive on routine, or can you handle the unpredictable nature of being a digital nomad?

4. Financial Uncertainty (Not As Glam As It Seems)

Travel isn’t cheap, and neither is maintaining a digital nomad lifestyle. While working from anywhere is tempting, unexpected costs (like flights, accommodation, or emergency medical care) can really add up.

Pro Tip: Before leaping, ensure you’ve got a financial safety net to handle the surprises that will come your way.

That’s all from me! I’m passing the mic to Shagufta, who’s got some killer tips on balancing travel and work without losing your mind.

Talk soon!

Mariam

Heyyaa!

Now Mariam has discussed the key things you’ll encounter while going for the nomadic lifestyle and why it might not be a good fit for you.

But you might need some more info to make an informed decision. So let’s look at why you should not join the nomadic culture!

5. Work-Life Imbalance

It’s really hard to separate work and fun when your ‘office’ is a new, exciting location. You might think working from the beach is the dream but distractions are everywhere – the sound of the waves or the urge to explore.

Don’t you think it’s hard to focus on work when the cool breeze constantly asks for your attention?

6. Unreliable Internet and Workspace

Not every place has fast or reliable internet, and that can be a big problem for most digital jobs. Suppose you set up your laptop in a stunning beach cafe, and realize that Wi-Fi is too slow for your video calls.

You might end up wasting hours searching for a better connection. And what happens next? Forget work, you might even lose your job because of missed deadlines. Not so happening, right?

Plus, finding a quiet, comfortable place to work can also be harder than you’d think. So, watch out!

7. The Expensive Lifestyle

If you think you’ll save money by living in the cheaper countries, think again. You must count travel costs, accommodation, and lifestyle upgrades at the cost of your savings.

Sure, rent might be cheaper in Bali, but constantly eating out, booking flights, and staying in Airbnb can drain your budget faster than you expect. Do you still think you can enjoy an affordable lifestyle while living the nomadic life?

8. Time Zone Challenges

Working with people in different time zones can really mess up your routine. You might have to stay up late or wake up super early just to take calls, which can affect your sleep and make it hard to focus.

For example, if you're in Thailand and your clients are in New York, you might have to take calls at midnight, leaving you tired and less productive the next day.

Wrapping Up

Even if you think you are adventurous and the nomad lifestyle is your calling, you shouldn’t make this decision so early without considering the above factors.

The digital nomad lifestyle isn’t perfect for everyone, and it might not be perfect for you too, especially when you love community and routine.

And it’s not also very easy to choose the freedom it offers you. So, if you’re not so fond of unpredictability and risks, give it another thought.

So, that’s it from this edition. See you in the next one soon! Till then, tell me if you’re in the nomad category or not!!!