The world of work as we know it is changing. Employers are witnessing the benefits of increased flexibility on both their wallets and employee wellbeing, while workers are reaping the advantages of more autonomy and choice. With the shift towards an increasingly hybrid online-offline world, the ‘digital nomad’ lifestyle is becoming ever more popular - and co-working spaces are at the core of building such communities. We explore what this means and how digital creatives can best leverage this new mode of work-life balance for better.
The world of work as we know it is changing. Employers are witnessing the benefits of increased flexibility on both their wallets and employee wellbeing, while workers are reaping the advantages of more autonomy and choice. With the shift towards an increasingly hybrid online-offline world, the ‘digital nomad’ lifestyle is becoming ever more popular - and co-working spaces are at the core of building such communities. We explore what this means and how digital creatives can best leverage this new mode of work-life balance for better.
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No One-Size Fits All
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In an increasingly noisy world filled with conflicting information, it can often be hard to decipher fact from fiction. What is becoming increasingly clear though, is that there is space for nuance, especially with regards to flexibility and personalisation; whether it’s health or the workplace, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’.
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As most remote workers now know only too well, working from home or being away from the office, does not mean being on a permanent vacation. As we take home our emails and host client meetings from the kitchen table, the lines between work and life are becoming increasingly blurred. However, this need not be a bad thing. Given that everyone has different lifestyle demands and commitments, the archaic cookie cutter 9-5 has been long overdue for a replacement.
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Families are finding it easier to be there for their children, city dwellers are exploring new identities through creative pursuits, and one cohort of nomads is making more room to see the world at large. ‘Digital Nomads’ as they’ve come to be known, have no fixed abode and leverage the advantages of working online in order to live without borders.
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As well as the increased accessibility thanks to wider remote-acceptance in hybrid workspaces, some of the reasons for the growing popularity of the hybrid lifestyle include: reduced overheads in host countries making it easier to bootstrap savings, access to new perspectives and ways of life, ditching office politics, learning new skills, setting your own schedule, creativity and divergent ways of thinking, the ability to meet a wider array of people, an exploratory disposition and breaking out of routine, and increased autonomy and variety in an increasingly unpredictable world.
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Spend A Few Months At A Time
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Digital nomads are travellers not tourists. This means that they make an attempt to fully integrate into their environments (as far as a temporary expat can). The best way of doing this is to start by planning to stay for a few months at a time, instead of constantly being on the move. As well as being less tiring, this allows you to become immersed in new communities and ways of life.
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Productivity can be a challenge for anyone, even if you commute to the same office every day. However constantly planning your next location will only be a hinderance. Give yourself plenty of time for the dust to settle, and make it easier on the wallet - as long-term accommodation rentals are often leased at better rates.
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Some great productivity tips for the remote-work hybrid include: planning for each day or week in advance so that you can get straight into it, single tasking with one tab at a time instead of multi-tasking too much, planning the day in chunks making space for mini breaks to stretch your legs, and finding a reliable space to work.
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Join A Local Co-working Space
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Co-working spaces are finding themselves at the centre of the regeneration of our local communities. With the increased uptake of remote work, more people found themselves leaving major cities for the healthier and more economical environments of greener pastures. The same principles apply to travel.
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Nowhere connects people in quite the same way as co-working spaces. Coffee shops, events and facebook communities are all great, but co-working spaces actively bring people together, under the umbrella of fostering creative new endeavours, engaging events or social opportunities, and a shared idealism for a brighter future.
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Many co-working spaces are also becoming increasingly accommodating for both businesses and founders or freelancers alike. Gone are the days of long-term leases and rigid formal contracts, Most spaces now offer flexible, monthly rolling memberships at competitive prices, including access to a fantastic array of facilities such as smart offices, communal events, in-app perks or features and fitness spaces.
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The office of the future is fast becoming a one-stop shop for almost all wellbeing, work and lifestyle needs. And given that we spend most of our lives at work, it seems like it makes sense. Businesses and employers are beginning to unlock the potential of the hybrid workspace to positively impact both their bottom line and business models,
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Get Location-Independence Savvy
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While you may have left your old life behind, things like banking, travel insurance, post and other necessities need to be with you every step of the way. Unfortunately this can still be a little inconvenient, but given the rising demand, the technology and solutions are improving. For example if you’re starting a business, Estonia now offer an e-residency for it to be registered fully online.
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You also need to check the VISAs, tax conditions and exemptions in every host country that you stay in, as well as that of your home country even if you are no longer resident there. Some people set up companies based from digital nomad friendly countries like Singapore to reduce their tax bill. If you’re serious about becoming a digital nomad, you should eventually hire a good accountant who specialises in working with people who live overseas.
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Managing your money while traveling can have its own set of challenges. For example, cards getting canceled when they’re used from foreign countries, and how to get paid while living overseas. Some great solutions include a Wise Account, as their fees are cheaper than players such as Paypal. They also offer travel cards which can be great for building credit.
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Receiving mail when you’re moving around all the time used to be a problem, but it’s not anymore. Signing up for a virtual mail service like Earth Class Mail gives you a physical address to send important mail, with the ability to read your mail online and get it forwarded anywhere you want. Accidents also happen. And without insurance, finding ways to get post delivered could be the least of your concerns. Luckily there are some good health insurance options specifically for digital nomads. The two most popular are Safety Wing and World Nomads.
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Stay Connected
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Although you can go just about anywhere, you’ll always be restricted by one thing and one thing alone - the quality and service of the wifi! This is why it helps to be located to guaranteed providers such as local co-working spaces. Digital nomads can only work when they have a fast & reliable internet connection, so good WiFi is incredibly important. Luckily you can find decent internet connections in many places around the world now.
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You can download the SpeedTest App to help you determine connection speeds, and check for good international telephone service around the world. Virtual phone numbers can also be useful, as is the security offered by apps such as Signal messenger service. The internet is censored in many parts of the world, so to ensure you can access the websites you want (plus an extra level of privacy), it’s important to download a good VPN (virtual private network) before you leave.
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Once you fly to your destination, there are a few ways to get around. Unlike the United States, many countries have much better public transportation systems in place. Buses, trains, and taxi service are all viable options. In other countries such as Thailand or Vietnam, its possible (and not too expensive) to rent a motorbike or small car for months at a time.
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Making the digital nomad leap is not for everyone, but for those willing to put in the effort, the rewards could be huge. While it’s certainly possible to travel very cheaply, it’s not free, and you’ll need to save some money before starting your adventure around the world. If you currently have a day job, you’ll need to try and downsize your lifestyle, spend less, maybe find a way to earn some side income, or take on a second part-time job on nights and weekends.
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As we begin to reconsider the ways in which we work, live and consume, there is something liberating about realising how few possessions you really need to live a life well-lived. The circular economy is one where we reduce, reuse and recycle, and embracing digital minimalism is a great way in which to do so.
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