From Burnout to Balance: Rethinking the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
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When Kie shared a post in the Guardian discussing the potential downsides of the digital nomad lifestyle, I felt a sense of familiarity. While the headline may have been a bit sensational, I found myself nodding in agreement with the author Emily and the individuals she interviewed, recognising many of my own experiences in their words.
I feel like Emily touches on the classic story of “Wherever you go, there you are.” For many people, grinding away at a job to just pay the bills, the idea of jetting away somewhere exotic is appealing and can help you get through the grind.
Working from a cafe doesn’t mean relaxing and enjoying the view
Despite the additional challenges that come with the digital nomad life, it's also a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The abundance of administrative tasks and the multitude of decisions to be made can be overwhelming at times. Yet, each choice we make, each new place we explore, is a step towards understanding ourselves and what truly makes us happy.
And then there’s the struggle of the labels. The term expat can be loaded for many people, but immigrant isn’t correct, as most people aren’t moving to these locations permanently. The term 'digital nomad' is a relatively new concept that has gained popularity in recent years, so everyone has a different impression of what it means. If I’m not moving cities every week, do I count?
I’ve acutely felt that pang of what’s the point? I was working full-time hours in a beautiful place, which meant either not experiencing it fully or having to work late into the evening to stay on top of things. Unlike a planned holiday, I also needed to book accommodation, plan trips and apply for visas. It was exhausting.
One of the most crucial lessons I've learned while on this journey is the importance of personal clarity and setting boundaries. Getting better at understanding what I truly wanted was the key to building a life that brought me joy. Is it getting the Instagram shot in a famous location or is it sipping coffee in a locally owned coffee shop in the mountains? It appears that Emily arrived at a similar conclusion. For some, this might mean a library card or a membership at a local community pool. But for us, it meant reevaluating our travel frequency and finding a balance that worked for both of us.
Always on the hunt for coffee and pastries
For us, it meant travelling less. Being in a partnership requires compromise. So while I think I just needed a short reset, that wasn’t the case for Kie. So instead, we’ve grounded ourselves with a “home” in a country we can regularly visit. We can store winter coats, have a barista who knows our name and be somewhere that doesn’t feel like such a heavy lift for some of the year.
And when we are travelling, it’s even slower than it was before. It’s a two-week minimum at any destination. It’s less about ticking a destination off a list and more about really experiencing a place. Ideally, all our destinations would become three-month stays. That seems to be the sweet spot for us.
There’s always a new perspective to discover
What I’ve come to realise is that the digital nomad lifestyle isn’t an escape — wherever you go, you bring yourself with you. The work, the stress, the joy, the growth, they all come along for the ride.
For me, the key has been clarity. Knowing what actually makes life feel good for each person is totally different. For some, having a home to come back to as a reset, for others just having a weekly call with friends back home can make all the difference. Slower travel has become our way forward. By staying longer, living more intentionally, and creating a balance between home and movement, we’ve found a rhythm that feels sustainable.
