Living, Not Touring: Sustainability in the Digital Nomad Life
Being a digital nomad isn’t the same as being a tourist, and here’s why that matters. Let me explain.
When you visit a new country, especially a popular destination, there’s a natural temptation to see all the landmarks and do all the main attractions. It’s common to find yourself among tourists who seem to be making the most of their trips—dining out, visiting cafes and bars, and soaking in all the sights.
However, this isn’t sustainable for a digital nomad.
A digital nomad can’t live the same lifestyle as a tourist who’s there for just two weeks. You can’t keep up the same pace or afford the same expenses without risking burnout.
Why? Because after a while, you’ll find it’s not just physically exhausting, but financially unsustainable too. If you’re working while traveling, you can’t afford to spend as much time exploring as someone who is completely off.
It can be hard and sometimes frustrating, especially if you, like me, aren’t in a financial position to spend without thinking. Would I like to try all the trendy restaurants? Absolutely. Would I like to do all the local activities? Sure. But if I did, I wouldn’t have the time or energy to focus on my business, and my bank account would suffer significantly.
So my advice, especially for new digital nomads: don’t fall into the trap of living like a tourist. You are not just visiting; you are living your life abroad, in beautiful places where others vacation, but you are not on vacation.
It took me a few months to realize and accept this, but since then, the journey has become much more enjoyable, and I can see myself doing this for a long time.