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6nomads

Meet the Winners of Startups in North and Central America

(Source: NordWood Themes, Unsplash) Building up the customer base, hiring, and searching for a product/market fit before even pitching a VC can be challenging. You probably don't have resources to hire top-tier business development people — well, you don't even have the Chief Inspiration Officer yet. You do most of the things on your own, from writing code to designing ad banners. This may be the perfect time to consider hiring your first independent contractor. Who or what is an independent contractor An independent contractor is either an individual or entity that performs work or provides service to another entity under contract and is not controlled or influenced by the client. To qualify as an independent contractor, the individual must not be controlled by the client, be free to use his or her judgment to then use the necessary methods required to deliver to the service or work as agreed upon and to be responsible for the result in accordance with the terms of the contract. Additionally, the client is not responsible to the third party for any legal wrongs such as actions of tort which are independent to that of the contract on behalf of the independent contractor unless the client has authorized the contractor to do so or where the actions of the independent contractor are controlled by the client. The client is also not responsible for providing social security or medical benefits such as insurance. Independent contractor vs employee There are several differences between the status of an independent contractor versus that of an employee. An employee is covered by employment law whereas a contractor is not. Also, the employer has more control over the means and resources provided to the employee to complete the necessary work whereas the client has limited to no control over the means and resources needed by the contractor to get the work done. (Source: Bruno Cervera, Unsplash) Benefits of hiring an independent contractor There are numerous benefits to hiring a contractor. Firstly, it is the best way for a startup to save money as hiring an employer comes with numerous costs such as worker’s benefits and a salary. Also, if you already have workers and they are all overwhelmed with tasks and you have deadlines to meet, you can hire a contractor to improve efficiency and rehire them when needed. As the independent contractor has a particular set of skills, you can reduce training costs as they already have the necessary skills to get the job done. Additionally, you reduce your exposure to lawsuits as employees have numerous rights under the law and therefore can bring numerous claims if these rights have been violated. Contractors are not covered by such laws and therefore can’t bring such claims against you. Hiring independent contractors abroad One of the challenges for startups is keeping costs in control. Working with foreign talent can be a great way to reduce operational costs in the early stages. Platforms such as AngelList and F6S are great places to find tech talent. Stuff to read: by Adam Schwartz Remote Work Doesn’t Scale … or Does It? by Dave Nevogt How to Pay Independent Contractors & Remote Employees by 6nomads. How to Hire Foreign IT Talent Legally for Your U.S. Startup in 3 Steps by Wade Foster and the Zapier team The Ultimate Guide to Remote Work by Nitesh Agrawal Why Hiring Remotely Will Prevent Your Failure by Daria Kulish The World's Most Productive Remote Team - Hacker Noon Noonies Awards 2019

Hiring Independent Contractors For Your Bootstrapped Startup

Get Furry Handcuffs & 13 Other Travelhacks for Digital Nomads

Before we begin, if you haven’t read <Part 1> and <Part 2> of The Reality of Digital Nomads, make sure to check it out! <Part 1> The Reality of Digital Nomads: Chasing Adventure, Finding What? <Part 2> The Reality of Digital Nomads: Defying Sight and Sound Rediscovering Home The best part of being a digital nomad didn’t strike me until it was over.. I returned home like Leonardo DiCaprio after surviving an attack from a grizzly bear. As the bus carried me from Incheon Airport to Gangnam, I gazed at Seoul’s cityscape through the window. We passed the park where I once cried after an unprecedented fight with my ex, the luxurious hotel where I’d had a staycation with my high school best friend, and the tall building where I’d faced my first nerve-wracking job interview. All my history that I had forgotten during my travels came back as once, as something that I was so proud to have endured. And when we finally arrived in my old neighborhood, I felt the familiar comfort it always offered, quietly welcoming me back. As I mentioned in Part 1, the idea of being “digitally homeless” reminds us that a home is more than just a roof over our heads. It includes family, friends, familiar neighborhood faces—like the couple I awkwardly greet internally every morning at the gym. Being away and facing challenges brought a deep sense of gratitude for these overlooked constants that have shaped me. And simply feeling this gratitude for something so familiar is, in itself, a profound joy. Growth Through Challenges Finding myself while away from home hasn’t made me dislike the culture and community that shaped me. With a greater understanding of who I uniquely am, I realize that the customs formed by my culture and community will remain a lifelong part of my identity. Back in my home community, my shyness still existed.  Before, I was the type of girl who loved popcorn but would skip it when at the theater alone, worried about what strangers might think if they saw me in line by myself. I’d even wait until the theater emptied out to shyly grab a bag on my way out, and it didn’t magically wash away from being a digital nomad. But it got better as I learned about my incredible adaptability and the kindness that emerges when it needs to. The whole experience let me rediscover my strengths and cultivate new ones. Yet, the downsides of being a digital nomad are hard to ignore. The immense mental stress of constant relocation while balancing a full-time job was the toughest. While traveling, I was often overwhelmed by the fear of losing my job due to poor performance. Ironically, I ended up losing my job four months after finishing my travels—not because of poor performance while traveling, but due to something entirely out of my control: restructuring. (Though, if I’m honest, it had more to do with a new marketing manager who didn’t seem to like me, but getting fired is a story for another post.) Having returned home after surviving and overcoming massive stress on the road, I wasn’t even fazed by the bad news. Instead, it served as a double reminder not to stress over things beyond my control. Pushing my limits under intense pressure had made me mentally stronger. This newfound ability to handle stress with composure might just have become my greatest superpower. Possibly in the future.. (Never Mind) I’m now working remotely for another blockchain company, and I still have a desire to live as a digital nomad again. However, if I set off again, I’d like to stay in each city for at least three months. Living through Airbnb rates, even in Southeast Asia, ended up costing quite a bit. As a young woman who likes nice things, I stayed in spacious apartments with pools and gyms in the most developed neighborhoods. When I got sick of Airbnbs, I headed for hotels. My monthly rent alone was at least $1,600. If I go again, I’d prefer to reduce costs with a short-term rental contract instead of Airbnbs. Moreover, with a longer stay, I want to try blending in with the local community rather than just being a foreigner. Now that I have a clearer sense of who I am, I’d like to confidently introduce myself to new friends and share in detail what parts of me come from my culture and what parts are intrinsically me. I’d also like to reduce the stress of constantly moving from place to place and really take in my surroundings at a more relaxed pace. (Never Mind) The Complexities of Immersion Actually, while the last paragraph might have made for a neat conclusion to this article, it wouldn’t be honest. I enjoy being alone; that’s why I write these blogs. As an introvert, it’s the most entertaining activity for me. Initially, I intended this piece to present slowmads as the next big trend, aiming to craft a buzzworthy article. But the truth is, traveling slowly—staying in one place for two to six months—might strip away the convenience, thrill, and lessons of the fast-paced digital nomad lifestyle. Settling down for an extended period has its downsides. You begin to see the cracks of a culture. When I stayed in Tokyo for the seventh time—accumulating a total of two months—I realized that its meticulous, rule-based culture came with challenges. There seemed to be a “right” way to do everything, and I quickly learned that I was often doing things “wrong.” Something as innocuous as receiving a wet towel with one hand was a faux pas. I only became aware of this because of a friendship I formed during my stay. She was half-Japanese, half-American, and would quietly correct me under her breath: “You’re not supposed to do it that way.” What began as harmless ignorance soon made me feel increasingly self-conscious. Japan, my culinary haven of udon, tempura, and yakiniku, started to feel less comforting and more judgmental. I no longer felt at ease there. That’s when I started longing for home—not just the physical space, but the feeling of being somewhere where I was noticed yet inherently accepted. This journey, ironically, led me to a newfound appreciation for home and all the ways it raised me and allowed me to exist in my most natural form. With already a lot of stress that comes from balancing full-time work and adapting to a new environment, I wouldn’t prefer to also have to experience the downsides of the different culture that makes me feel inferior. But this is all about perspective - maybe I’ve just learned that Japan isn’t the right place to settle long-term, as a new home was what I was looking for in the beginning anyways. Why Fast-Paced Travel Still Appeals From my experience, being a digital nomad is the perfect opportunity to become a borderline workaholic, driven by loneliness and isolation from any sense of community. Yet, paradoxically, it also offers profound opportunities for spiritual growth. Experiencing diverse cultures and unfamiliar landscapes pushes you out of your comfort zone, uncovering parts of yourself long buried beneath habitual ways of thinking. During my time as a digital nomad, I found the space to love myself again as I turned 28. I advanced in my career, diving headfirst into work while enduring immense psychological pressure. If you’re considering taking the leap into this lifestyle, I’d highly recommend a fast-paced approach. It provides the illusion of starting over—a fresh, history-free existence—and keeps you moving so quickly that you’re not weighed down by the need to create one. Above all, traveling alone allows you to amplify that small, inner voice until it’s finally loud enough to be heard. Final Thoughts To summarize, fast-paced digital nomading delivers life in its rawest form. The frantic juggling act of adapting to new environments while maintaining a full-time workload builds resilience and sharpens your ability to manage stress. The exposure to various cultures, coupled with the freedom from the labels of your past, nurtures spiritual growth. And the solitude—no friends, no usual yoga or fitness studios—creates a unique opportunity to focus intensely on your work and yourself. When the journey inevitably leads you back home, you’ll find a newfound sense of gratitude. You’ll see your old environment with fresh eyes and uncover unexpected joys in the familiar. I recognize that everyone’s journey as a digital nomad is unique. I’d love to hear about yours in the comments—how you traveled, managed the logistics, and what you gained or perhaps lost along the way. Thank you for reading my stories, and thank you to those who reached out after. I hope it provided good insight to everyone of you :) Before we begin, i f you haven’t read <Part 1> and <Part 2> of The Reality of Digital Nomads, make sure to check it out! Before we begin, f you haven’t read <Part 1> and <Part 2> of The Reality of Digital Nomads, make sure to check it out! <Part 1> The Reality of Digital Nomads: Chasing Adventure, Finding What? <Part 1> The Reality of Digital Nomads: Chasing Adventure, Finding What? <Part 2> The Reality of Digital Nomads: Defying Sight and Sound <Part 2> The Reality of Digital Nomads: Defying Sight and Sound Rediscovering Home Rediscovering Home The best part of being a digital nomad didn’t strike me until it was over.. I returned home like Leonardo DiCaprio after surviving an attack from a grizzly bear. As the bus carried me from Incheon Airport to Gangnam, I gazed at Seoul’s cityscape through the window. We passed the park where I once cried after an unprecedented fight with my ex, the luxurious hotel where I’d had a staycation with my high school best friend, and the tall building where I’d faced my first nerve-wracking job interview. All my history that I had forgotten during my travels came back as once, as something that I was so proud to have endured. And when we finally arrived in my old neighborhood, I felt the familiar comfort it always offered, quietly welcoming me back. As I mentioned in Part 1, the idea of being “digitally homeless” reminds us that a home is more than just a roof over our heads. It includes family, friends, familiar neighborhood faces—like the couple I awkwardly greet internally every morning at the gym. Being away and facing challenges brought a deep sense of gratitude for these overlooked constants that have shaped me. And simply feeling this gratitude for something so familiar is, in itself, a profound joy. Growth Through Challenges Growth Through Challenges Finding myself while away from home hasn’t made me dislike the culture and community that shaped me. With a greater understanding of who I uniquely am, I realize that the customs formed by my culture and community will remain a lifelong part of my identity. Back in my home community, my shyness still existed.  Before, I was the type of girl who loved popcorn but would skip it when at the theater alone, worried about what strangers might think if they saw me in line by myself. I’d even wait until the theater emptied out to shyly grab a bag on my way out, and it didn’t magically wash away from being a digital nomad. But it got better as I learned about my incredible adaptability and the kindness that emerges when it needs to. The whole experience let me rediscover my strengths and cultivate new ones. Yet, the downsides of being a digital nomad are hard to ignore. The immense mental stress of constant relocation while balancing a full-time job was the toughest. While traveling, I was often overwhelmed by the fear of losing my job due to poor performance. Ironically, I ended up losing my job four months after finishing my travels—not because of poor performance while traveling, but due to something entirely out of my control: restructuring. (Though, if I’m honest, it had more to do with a new marketing manager who didn’t seem to like me, but getting fired is a story for another post.) Having returned home after surviving and overcoming massive stress on the road, I wasn’t even fazed by the bad news. Instead, it served as a double reminder not to stress over things beyond my control. Pushing my limits under intense pressure had made me mentally stronger. This newfound ability to handle stress with composure might just have become my greatest superpower. Possibly in the future.. (Never Mind) I’m now working remotely for another blockchain company, and I still have a desire to live as a digital nomad again. However, if I set off again, I’d like to stay in each city for at least three months . Living through Airbnb rates, even in Southeast Asia, ended up costing quite a bit. As a young woman who likes nice things, I stayed in spacious apartments with pools and gyms in the most developed neighborhoods. When I got sick of Airbnbs, I headed for hotels. My monthly rent alone was at least $1,600. If I go again, I’d prefer to reduce costs with a short-term rental contract instead of Airbnbs. at least three months Moreover, with a longer stay, I want to try blending in with the local community rather than just being a foreigner. Now that I have a clearer sense of who I am, I’d like to confidently introduce myself to new friends and share in detail what parts of me come from my culture and what parts are intrinsically me. I’d also like to reduce the stress of constantly moving from place to place and really take in my surroundings at a more relaxed pace. community (Never Mind) The Complexities of Immersion (Never Mind) The Complexities of Immersion Actually, while the last paragraph might have made for a neat conclusion to this article, it wouldn’t be honest. I enjoy being alone; that’s why I write these blogs. As an introvert, it’s the most entertaining activity for me. Initially, I intended this piece to present slowmads as the next big trend, aiming to craft a buzzworthy article. But the truth is, traveling slowly—staying in one place for two to six months—might strip away the convenience, thrill, and lessons of the fast-paced digital nomad lifestyle. Settling down for an extended period has its downsides. You begin to see the cracks of a culture. When I stayed in Tokyo for the seventh time—accumulating a total of two months—I realized that its meticulous, rule-based culture came with challenges. There seemed to be a “right” way to do everything, and I quickly learned that I was often doing things “wrong.” Something as innocuous as receiving a wet towel with one hand was a faux pas. I only became aware of this because of a friendship I formed during my stay. She was half-Japanese, half-American, and would quietly correct me under her breath: “You’re not supposed to do it that way.” What began as harmless ignorance soon made me feel increasingly self-conscious. Japan, my culinary haven of udon, tempura, and yakiniku, started to feel less comforting and more judgmental. I no longer felt at ease there. That’s when I started longing for home—not just the physical space, but the feeling of being somewhere where I was noticed yet inherently accepted. This journey, ironically, led me to a newfound appreciation for home and all the ways it raised me and allowed me to exist in my most natural form. With already a lot of stress that comes from balancing full-time work and adapting to a new environment, I wouldn’t prefer to also have to experience the downsides of the different culture that makes me feel inferior. But this is all about perspective - maybe I’ve just learned that Japan isn’t the right place to settle long-term, as a new home was what I was looking for in the beginning anyways. Why Fast-Paced Travel Still Appeals Why Fast-Paced Travel Still Appeals From my experience, being a digital nomad is the perfect opportunity to become a borderline workaholic, driven by loneliness and isolation from any sense of community. Yet, paradoxically, it also offers profound opportunities for spiritual growth. Experiencing diverse cultures and unfamiliar landscapes pushes you out of your comfort zone, uncovering parts of yourself long buried beneath habitual ways of thinking. During my time as a digital nomad, I found the space to love myself again as I turned 28. I advanced in my career, diving headfirst into work while enduring immense psychological pressure. If you’re considering taking the leap into this lifestyle, I’d highly recommend a fast-paced approach. It provides the illusion of starting over—a fresh, history-free existence—and keeps you moving so quickly that you’re not weighed down by the need to create one. Above all, traveling alone allows you to amplify that small, inner voice until it’s finally loud enough to be heard. If you’re considering taking the leap into this lifestyle, I’d highly recommend a fast-paced approach. Final Thoughts Final Thoughts To summarize, fast-paced digital nomading delivers life in its rawest form. The frantic juggling act of adapting to new environments while maintaining a full-time workload builds resilience and sharpens your ability to manage stress . The exposure to various cultures, coupled with the freedom from the labels of your past, nurtures spiritual growth . And the solitude—no friends, no usual yoga or fitness studios—creates a unique opportunity to focus intensely on your work and yourself . resilience ability to manage stress spiritual growth focus intensely on your work and yourself When the journey inevitably leads you back home, you’ll find a newfound sense of gratitude. You’ll see your old environment with fresh eyes and uncover unexpected joys in the familiar. I recognize that everyone’s journey as a digital nomad is unique. I’d love to hear about yours in the comments—how you traveled, managed the logistics, and what you gained or perhaps lost along the way. I recognize that everyone’s journey as a digital nomad is unique. I’d love to hear about yours in the comments—how you traveled, managed the logistics, and what you gained or perhaps lost along the way. Thank you for reading my stories, and thank you to those who reached out after. I hope it provided good insight to everyone of you :)

The Truth of Digital Nomads: The Long Way Home and What It Really Teaches Us

የዲጂታል ዘላኖች እውነት፡ የረዥም መንገድ ቤት እና በእውነት የሚያስተምረን

La verdad de los nómadas digitales: el largo camino a casa y lo que realmente nos enseña

حقیقت عشایر دیجیتال: راه طولانی به خانه و آنچه واقعاً به ما می آموزد

デジタル遊牧民の真実：長い道のりとそれが私たちに教えてくれること

Ny fahamarinan'ny mpifindrafindra monina nomerika: Ny lalana lavitra mody sy ny tena ampianariny antsika

Therešo ya Digital Nomads: Tsela e Telele ya Gae le Seo e Re Rutago Sona e le ka kgonthe

د ډیجیټل کوچیانو حقیقت: د کور اوږده لاره او هغه څه چې دا واقعیا موږ ته درس راکوي

Adevărul nomaților digitali: drumul lung spre casă și ceea ce ne învață cu adevărat

ඩිජිටල් නාමිකයන්ගේ සත්‍යය: දිගු මග නිවස සහ එය අපට සැබවින්ම උගන්වන දේ

Pravda digitálnych nomádov: dlhá cesta domov a čo nás v skutočnosti učí

E vërteta e nomadëve dixhitalë: Rruga e gjatë për në shtëpi dhe çfarë na mëson vërtet

ڈیجیٹل خانہ بدوشوں کی حقیقت: گھر کا طویل راستہ اور یہ واقعی ہمیں کیا سکھاتا ہے۔

In a world where decentralized finance and digital nomadism are redesigning ways of life, "crypto nomads" could well be the newest breed that depends on blockchain and digital cryptocurrency to live and work in any part of the world. These pioneering spirits are part of fully decentralized structures, working on projects across borders without barriers, and again defining financial freedom. Who Are Crypto Nomads? Crypto nomads, a term derived from the combination of cryptocurrency enthusiasts and digital nomads, are individuals who work remotely but are financially supported by crypto assets, DeFi investments, or blockchain-based income. Crypto nomads work remotely, but for them, cryptocurrency and blockchain are the backbones of their professional and financial activities. Most of the time, one will be dealing in professions related to blockchain development, cryptocurrency trading, consultancy, and even project management by utilizing digital assets and DeFi. Besides traditional digital nomads who work remotely though bound through centralized financial systems, crypto nomads depend on decentralized systems through which they manage finances and pursue opportunities anywhere with ease in the world. Key Features of Crypto Nomadism Include: Borderless Work: This gives them, in turn, the evasion of national border or financial regulations, making global transactions and collaborations seemingly so much easier. Financial Independence: They are confident above all in cryptocurrencies, sidestepping banks, and systems of traditional money transfer. This decreases fees and simultaneously simplifies international payments. Decentralized Communities: Crypto nomads unite through DAOs, which is a way for them to work on projects flexibly and co-creatively. The growing significance of DAOs is that they are often touted as the future of work. Co-creation Within The Crypto Nomad Lifestyle Co-creation is integral to the crypto-nomad community. Co-creation, in a nutshell, is a process of collaboration and innovation by people or organizations through decentralized networks and DAOs rather than business hierarchies. In the crypto space, this means shared ownership and community-driven project development. One quintessential example is the DAOs, which allow participants to make collective decisions, contribute to skill-based decisions, and get rewarded via governance tokens. Key Benefits of Co-creation For Crypto Nomads: Collaborative Innovation: Participating in DAOs would mean crypto nomads are able to work on blockchain projects without any central body, hence facilitating cross-border innovation. Financial Inclusion: Through the use of the blockchain, they get involved in low-cost peer-to-peer transactions, hence getting involved with projects around the world and reducing their dependence on conventional systems of finance. How Crypto Nomads Are Redefining Work And Income The crypto nomad lifestyle seeks to reshape work and income by leveraging decentralized systems outside of the traditional models of work and employment. By this, professionals are allowed to work across borders, manage finances independently, and take up project-based jobs through DAOs. Unlike conventional jobs, which are generally confined to specific geography and corporate hierarchies, crypto nomads have been able to enjoy flexibility and freedom in work. The newly redefined work structure includes: Cross-border transaction: It eliminates the need for wire transfers and currency conversion. It therefore makes international financial transactions easier. Investment and financial independence: Crypto nomads can lend, borrow, and invest directly in DeFi solutions without any intermediaries; thus, it allows full control over one's finances. Fluid involvement in projects within DAOs: The crypto-nomads are allowed to work on projects in the DAO on flexible terms and get paid with governance tokens that are reward-enabling, carrying the extra value of decision-making on the future of the project. Impact on Local Economies and Community Building Cryptonomads add value, both economically and socially, to the communities they belong to by building digital nomad communities in Bali, Lisbon, and Dubai. Finally, coworking spaces, a strong internet connection, and visa-friendly environments make these hubs a core of economic activities: their presence boosts local hospitality, tourism, and technology industries, opening new possibilities for local businesses and society in general. Local Effects of Crypto Nomadism: Local economic boost: Crypto nomads pay for local services, boosting hospitality and tourism, and driving tech entrepreneurship. Cultural Exchange and Innovation: Diverse ideas and skills moved forward by nomads enrich the cultures of residents and encourage innovation due to higher receptiveness to novelty. Some governments, like Estonia, go so far as to offer special visas for digital nomads with the goal of attracting them as a resource for local economic growth. The Role of Crypto Nomad Communities and DAOs in Global Collaboration Crypto nomads build a community based on shared interests, values, and blockchain-based interactions. In this line, DAOs have become powerful ways of belonging and mutual support since members of such organizations can contribute anytime and from any part of the world. As opposed to traditional concepts of community, crypto nomad groups represent the principles of inclusiveness, trust, and co-ownership, hence fostering collaboration across projects and countries. Other Benefits of These Communities Include: Equitable Collaboration: Blockchain's transparency and permissionless design create the grounds for trusting, peer-to-peer collaboration. Social Contribution: The majority of crypto nomads are purpose-driven individuals ecologically seeking opportunities for volunteering and community engagements in the destinations they travel to. Crypto Nomadism: Its Challenges and the Way Forward While a decentralized, borderless lifestyle is romantic, crypto nomadism faces difficulties regarding regulatory uncertainties, fluctuating crypto values, and the instability of decentralized economies. Other common challenges are navigating complicated rules for visas, accessing consistent healthcare, and finding reliable connections to the internet. The future trends entail: Regulatory Developments: Accompanying increased mainstream adoption of crypto is that governments might also begin to adopt friendlier policies towards crypto nomads. Improved Security, Speed, and Innovation in Blockchain Products: Advances in blockchain technology could make blockchain networks more resistant to hacking and faster and more advanced financial products developed on the blockchain. The development of decentralized finance could be stabilized by such a development and, therefore, support the growth of the crypto nomad lifestyle. Case Study: House of Web3 The House of Web3, founded in 2022 by Edge & Node, is an outstanding example of a co-creation hub for internet nomads working in AI, blockchain and decentralized technology. Described as the modern-day” town hall”, it has welcomed over 10,000 attendees and has over 750 approved co-creators including developers, founders and VCs from more than 300 companies around the world. It serves as a work space and a community where digital nomads, developers, founders, and venture capitalists can connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. The space has hosted thousands of events, ranging from technical workshops to high-profile discussions with San Francisco's mayor and mayoral candidates, positioning it as a platform for addressing real-world issues through emerging technologies. Two years since its launch, it has fostered collaborations between blockchain and AI pioneers, and nurtured  a thriving community of crypto nomads. Conclusion: Crypto nomads rethink notions of work, community, and financial freedom through blockchain and decentralized finance to operate without borders. They also collaborate on international projects through DAOs, enabling a co-creative culture to support shared ownership in furthering innovation and financial inclusion. Crypto nomads have contributed culturally and economically to the communities in which they set up hubs in Bali, Lisbon, and elsewhere. Indeed, this somewhat strange marriage between global collaboration and local impact is what makes this lifestyle so different from most other modern prototypes. In a world where decentralized finance and digital nomadism are redesigning ways of life, "crypto nomads" could well be the newest breed that depends on blockchain and digital cryptocurrency to live and work in any part of the world. These pioneering spirits are part of fully decentralized structures, working on projects across borders without barriers, and again defining financial freedom. Who Are Crypto Nomads? Crypto nomads, a term derived from the combination of cryptocurrency enthusiasts and digital nomads, are individuals who work remotely but are financially supported by crypto assets, DeFi investments, or blockchain-based income. Crypto nomads work remotely, but for them, cryptocurrency and blockchain are the backbones of their professional and financial activities. Most of the time, one will be dealing in professions related to blockchain development, cryptocurrency trading, consultancy, and even project management by utilizing digital assets and DeFi. Besides traditional digital nomads who work remotely though bound through centralized financial systems, crypto nomads depend on decentralized systems through which they manage finances and pursue opportunities anywhere with ease in the world. Key Features of Crypto Nomadism Include: Borderless Work: This gives them, in turn, the evasion of national border or financial regulations, making global transactions and collaborations seemingly so much easier. Borderless Work: Financial Independence: T hey are confident above all in cryptocurrencies, sidestepping banks, and systems of traditional money transfer. This decreases fees and simultaneously simplifies international payments. Financial Independence: T Decentralized Communities: Crypto nomads unite through DAOs, which is a way for them to work on projects flexibly and co-creatively. The growing significance of DAOs is that they are often touted as the future of work. Decentralized Communities: Co-creation Within The Crypto Nomad Lifestyle Co-creation is integral to the crypto-nomad community. Co-creation, in a nutshell, is a process of collaboration and innovation by people or organizations through decentralized networks and DAOs rather than business hierarchies. In the crypto space, this means shared ownership and community-driven project development. One quintessential example is the DAOs, which allow participants to make collective decisions, contribute to skill-based decisions, and get rewarded via governance tokens. Key Benefits of Co-creation For Crypto Nomads: Collaborative Innovation: Collaborative Innovation: Participating in DAOs would mean crypto nomads are able to work on blockchain projects without any central body, hence facilitating cross-border innovation. Financial Inclusion: Financial Inclusion: Through the use of the blockchain, they get involved in low-cost peer-to-peer transactions, hence getting involved with projects around the world and reducing their dependence on conventional systems of finance. How Crypto Nomads Are Redefining Work And Income The crypto nomad lifestyle seeks to reshape work and income by leveraging decentralized systems outside of the traditional models of work and employment. By this, professionals are allowed to work across borders, manage finances independently, and take up project-based jobs through DAOs. Unlike conventional jobs, which are generally confined to specific geography and corporate hierarchies, crypto nomads have been able to enjoy flexibility and freedom in work. The newly redefined work structure includes: Cross-border transaction: Cross-border transaction: It eliminates the need for wire transfers and currency conversion. It therefore makes international financial transactions easier. Investment and financial independence: Investment and financial independence: Crypto nomads can lend, borrow, and invest directly in DeFi solutions without any intermediaries; thus, it allows full control over one's finances. Fluid involvement in projects within DAOs: Fluid involvement in projects within DAOs: The crypto-nomads are allowed to work on projects in the DAO on flexible terms and get paid with governance tokens that are reward-enabling, carrying the extra value of decision-making on the future of the project. Impact on Local Economies and Community Building Cryptonomads add value, both economically and socially, to the communities they belong to by building digital nomad communities in Bali, Lisbon, and Dubai. Finally, coworking spaces, a strong internet connection, and visa-friendly environments make these hubs a core of economic activities: their presence boosts local hospitality, tourism, and technology industries, opening new possibilities for local businesses and society in general. Local Effects of Crypto Nomadism: Local economic boost: Local economic boost: Crypto nomads pay for local services, boosting hospitality and tourism, and driving tech entrepreneurship. Cultural Exchange and Innovation: Cultural Exchange and Innovation: Diverse ideas and skills moved forward by nomads enrich the cultures of residents and encourage innovation due to higher receptiveness to novelty. Some governments, like Estonia, go so far as to offer special visas for digital nomads with the goal of attracting them as a resource for local economic growth. The Role of Crypto Nomad Communities and DAOs in Global Collaboration Crypto nomads build a community based on shared interests, values, and blockchain-based interactions. In this line, DAOs have become powerful ways of belonging and mutual support since members of such organizations can contribute anytime and from any part of the world. As opposed to traditional concepts of community, crypto nomad groups represent the principles of inclusiveness, trust, and co-ownership, hence fostering collaboration across projects and countries. Other Benefits of These Communities Include: Equitable Collaboration: Equitable Collaboration: Blockchain's transparency and permissionless design create the grounds for trusting, peer-to-peer collaboration. Social Contribution: Social Contribution: The majority of crypto nomads are purpose-driven individuals ecologically seeking opportunities for volunteering and community engagements in the destinations they travel to. Crypto Nomadism: Its Challenges and the Way Forward While a decentralized, borderless lifestyle is romantic, crypto nomadism faces difficulties regarding regulatory uncertainties, fluctuating crypto values, and the instability of decentralized economies. Other common challenges are navigating complicated rules for visas, accessing consistent healthcare, and finding reliable connections to the internet. The future trends entail: The future trends entail: Regulatory Developments: Regulatory Developments: Accompanying increased mainstream adoption of crypto is that governments might also begin to adopt friendlier policies towards crypto nomads. Improved Security, Speed, and Innovation in Blockchain Products: Improved Security, Speed, and Innovation in Blockchain Products: Advances in blockchain technology could make blockchain networks more resistant to hacking and faster and more advanced financial products developed on the blockchain. The development of decentralized finance could be stabilized by such a development and, therefore, support the growth of the crypto nomad lifestyle. Case Study: House of Web3 The House of Web3, founded in 2022 by Edge & Node, is an outstanding example of a co-creation hub for internet nomads working in AI, blockchain and decentralized technology. Described as the modern-day” town hall”, it has welcomed over 10,000 attendees and has over 750 approved co-creators including developers, founders and VCs from more than 300 companies around the world. It serves as a work space and a community where digital nomads, developers, founders, and venture capitalists can connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. The space has hosted thousands of events, ranging from technical workshops to high-profile discussions with San Francisco's mayor and mayoral candidates, positioning it as a platform for addressing real-world issues through emerging technologies. Two years since its launch, it has fostered collaborations between blockchain and AI pioneers, and nurtured  a thriving community of crypto nomads. Conclusion: Crypto nomads rethink notions of work, community, and financial freedom through blockchain and decentralized finance to operate without borders. They also collaborate on international projects through DAOs, enabling a co-creative culture to support shared ownership in furthering innovation and financial inclusion. Crypto nomads have contributed culturally and economically to the communities in which they set up hubs in Bali, Lisbon, and elsewhere. Indeed, this somewhat strange marriage between global collaboration and local impact is what makes this lifestyle so different from most other modern prototypes.

The Rise Of Crypto Nomads: How Co-Creation Is Redefining Global Work And Community

If you haven’t read The Reality of Digital Nomads: Chasing Highs, Finding What? (Part 1), it delves into the challenges I faced as a digital nomad — the lack of stability, absence of community, and the constant stress and fatigue. A key takeaway is my suggestion that “digital homeless” might be a more fitting term for digital nomads. I end by comparing today’s nomads to historical figures like Mountain Hermits and Monastic Wanderers, who also led lives of solitude and self-reliance. Read <Part 1> The Reality of Digital Nomads: Chasing Adventure, Finding What? on Hackernoon! [Click Here.] <Part 2> The common thread that ties digital nomads, Christian monks, and Buddhist monks together is that they all leave their hometowns in pursuit of greater enlightenment and growth. For someone like my parents, watching their daughter constantly pursue challenges can be concerning. Yet, traveling as a digital nomad has been incredibly meaningful for self-discovery and personal growth. Before beginning this journey, I struggled with anxiety rooted in self-consciousness. I was the type of girl who loved popcorn but would skip it when at the theater alone, worried about what strangers might think if they saw me in line by myself. I’d even wait until the theater emptied out to shyly grab a bag on my way out. One unexpected advantage of having to work full-time while traveling is that you don’t really have the leisure to get swept up in all the local tourist attractions. Instead, you find small joys in visiting cafes where you can quietly observe locals while working, or by changing neighborhoods for an evening stroll each day to experience subtle differences in scenery. Contrary to the high-pitched dialogue often heard in Japanese anime, residential neighborhoods in Tokyo are always astonishingly quiet. In Siem Reap, children rummage through trash cans in search of necessities just a few kilometers away from one of the largest and most impressive religious monuments. In Asia’s most liberal city, Bangkok, located in the only country to have legalized cannabis, a less hipster and more capitalistic, and self-conscious scene can be observed, with people waiting their turn at beauty clinics as late as 9 PM. Meanwhile, in Bali, locals begin and end their day with religious rituals, with every store and accommodation advertising their fast Wi-Fi speeds. In Philadelphia, some cafes do not provide Wi-Fi or even allow laptop use, yet still manage to thrive. Seeing such differences in real-life cultures all over the world leads to the questioning of how much of who I am was shaped by the culture and environment I grew up in, this journey becomes a time of introspection. Traveling is the culture and community that shaped a significant part of my identity disappearing right before my eyes. I start asking myself, “Who am I without my culture?” and “What are my fundamental traits?” And from city to the next, the answers to these questions about myself slowly unveil. Who am I without my culture? There’s a unique liberation that comes with exploring “me” in a foreign country. Here, everyone sheds their familiar identity and becomes a foreigner, free from their usual roles and expectations. The term “foreigner” means “a person who does not belong to a particular group or community.” You’re not the hometown girl, recognized by her daily iced black coffee, or the guy who’s known for his DIY car washes since he moved in last year. Instead, you’re simply you, stripped down to the essentials, unbound by the routines and labels from home. One of the greatest advantages of traveling to many places is adopting the mindset of “I am a foreigner anyway.” This mentality of inherently “being different” is freeing. Although we are always unique individuals, experiencing multiple cultures and their contrasts makes this truth resonate deeply. Realizing that no two communities are identical and that we don’t need to conform to any single one allows us to uncover our true nature and personality. As innate social animals, we’ve grown accustomed to communal life over thousands of years. In Eastern cultures, where communal living is especially valued, we sometimes overlook a key fact: communities are composed of individuals, each with unique traits. Often, we subconsciously prioritize the identity of the community over our own, hesitating to adopt beliefs or behaviors that set us apart. As a foreigner passing through an area briefly, it’s rare to get much attention from locals, apart from the enthusiastic promotions of bar promoters. This freedom of not being seen, to simply blend into the background, is liberating and accelerates your self-discovery by giving you more space to allow yourself to be who you are. This is entirely different from wearing a bikini on the streets in Southeast Asia after wearing Confucian-style clothing in your home country. The initial adventurous spirit of arriving in a new place fades, and it’s in the period when you’ve grown somewhat familiar with the place but still don’t belong to the community that you start to see your authentic self emerge. In various cities across the world, I encountered my intrinsic kindness. Even when I didn’t care about how I might be seen to others, and was under a massive amount of stress, I remained kind to others. My shyness was replaced with lengthy conversations with cab drivers. This new found self became a source of strength and uplifted me in ways I hadn’t expected. Language barrier was surprisingly not much of a discomfort, but a factor that helped with self-discovery. How much do the words and sounds we hear around us everyday influence our thoughts? Even last weekend, while hiking in the utter peace of nature, I passed by a group discussing the housing prices of Seoul. Under the clear sky, their conversation made blurred my future into darkness. Koreans, as a whole, seem particularly focused on wealth and the economy, with a strong drive toward accumulating wealth. Since my only financial planning involves saving whatever is left after impulsively spending my salary, hearing these conversations makes me feel on the verge of a panic attack. Additionally, I’m often greeted by a YouTube ad playing the moment I get in although I pay for each ride. Just how much do the words and sounds around us in daily life influence our state of mind In this day and age, exposure to materialistic and consumerist attitudes and media isn’t an experience exclusive to my home country. However, in a foreign country, all advertisements and other people’s conversations just come across as noise, so even if I was exposed to them, I wasn’t really impacted by them. Of course, just because I can’t understand the language around me doesn’t mean that the influence of the culture I’ve lived in for decades simply disappears. Even in the laid-back atmosphere of Southeast Asia, I still found myself prioritizing efficiency and speed — like a true Korean. But when the surrounding noise faded, I began to hear an authentic voice within me — a voice I couldn’t hear as clearly back in Korea. It was the desire to pursue art and creative work, so I began writing again. Traveling to different places felt almost like being free of a past, and therefore your age. Perhaps it’s because, as a foreigner, you’re somewhat invisible, not part of that community’s recorded history — only by staying long enough, by becoming a familiar face, might you start to leave a mark. Or maybe it’s because the places woven into the history of my life are out of sight, and all I see is ‘new’ around me. Anyways, with the emergence of the unique voice inside me, I also stopped feeling so self-conscious of my age. The self-doubt that normally would have risen with the emergence of my authentic voice subdued in the seeming absence of the history it was born from. But the best part of being a digital nomad didn’t strike me until it was over.. I’ll tell you guys everything about it in Part 3, next week.. Thanks for reading If you haven’t read The Reality of Digital Nomads: Chasing Highs, Finding What? (Part 1) , it delves into the challenges I faced as a digital nomad — the lack of stability, absence of community, and the constant stress and fatigue. A key takeaway is my suggestion that “digital homeless” might be a more fitting term for digital nomads. I end by comparing today’s nomads to historical figures like Mountain Hermits and Monastic Wanderers, who also led lives of solitude and self-reliance. The Reality of Digital Nomads: Chasing Highs, Finding What? (Part 1) Read <Part 1> The Reality of Digital Nomads: Chasing Adventure, Finding What? on Hackernoon! [ Click Here .] Click Here <Part 2> The common thread that ties digital nomads, Christian monks, and Buddhist monks together is that they all leave their hometowns in pursuit of greater enlightenment and growth. For someone like my parents, watching their daughter constantly pursue challenges can be concerning. Yet, traveling as a digital nomad has been incredibly meaningful for self-discovery and personal growth . Before beginning this journey, I struggled with anxiety rooted in self-consciousness. I was the type of girl who loved popcorn but would skip it when at the theater alone, worried about what strangers might think if they saw me in line by myself. I’d even wait until the theater emptied out to shyly grab a bag on my way out. self-discovery personal growth anxiety self-consciousness. I was the type of girl who loved popcorn but would skip it when at the theater alone, worried about what strangers might think if they saw me in line by myself. I’d even wait until the theater emptied out to shyly grab a bag on my way out. One unexpected advantage of having to work full-time while traveling is that you don’t really have the leisure to get swept up in all the local tourist attractions. Instead, you find small joys in visiting cafes where you can quietly observe locals while working, or by changing neighborhoods for an evening stroll each day to experience subtle differences in scenery. Contrary to the high-pitched dialogue often heard in Japanese anime, residential neighborhoods in Tokyo are always astonishingly quiet. In Siem Reap , children rummage through trash cans in search of necessities just a few kilometers away from one of the largest and most impressive religious monuments. In Asia’s most liberal city, Bangkok , located in the only country to have legalized cannabis, a less hipster and more capitalistic, and self-conscious scene can be observed, with people waiting their turn at beauty clinics as late as 9 PM. Meanwhile, in Bali , locals begin and end their day with religious rituals, with every store and accommodation advertising their fast Wi-Fi speeds. In Philadelphia , some cafes do not provide Wi-Fi or even allow laptop use, yet still manage to thrive. visiting cafes evening stroll Tokyo Siem Reap Bangkok Bali Philadelphia Seeing such differences in real-life cultures all over the world leads to the questioning of how much of who I am was shaped by the culture and environment I grew up in, this journey becomes a time of introspection. Traveling is the culture and community that shaped a significant part of my identity disappearing right before my eyes. I start asking myself, “Who am I without my culture?” and “What are my fundamental traits? ” And from city to the next, the answers to these questions about myself slowly unveil. “Who am I without my culture?” “What are my fundamental traits? Who am I without my culture? Who am I without my culture? Who am I without my culture? There’s a unique liberation that comes with exploring “me” in a foreign country. Here, everyone sheds their familiar identity and becomes a foreigner, free from their usual roles and expectations. The term “foreigner” means “a person who does not belong to a particular group or community.” You’re not the hometown girl, recognized by her daily iced black coffee, or the guy who’s known for his DIY car washes since he moved in last year. Instead, you’re simply you, stripped down to the essentials, unbound by the routines and labels from home. foreigner, you, One of the greatest advantages of traveling to many places is adopting the mindset of “I am a foreigner anyway.” This mentality of inherently “ being different” is freeing. Although we are always unique individuals, experiencing multiple cultures and their contrasts makes this truth resonate deeply. Realizing that no two communities are identical and that we don’t need to conform to any single one allows us to uncover our true nature and personality. being different” multiple cultures and their contrasts As innate social animals, we’ve grown accustomed to communal life over thousands of years. In Eastern cultures, where communal living is especially valued, we sometimes overlook a key fact: communities are composed of individuals, each with unique traits. Often, we subconsciously prioritize the identity of the community over our own, hesitating to adopt beliefs or behaviors that set us apart. As a foreigner passing through an area briefly, it’s rare to get much attention from locals, apart from the enthusiastic promotions of bar promoters. This freedom of not being seen, to simply blend into the background, is liberating and accelerates your self-discovery by giving you more space to allow yourself to be who you are. This freedom of not being seen, to simply blend into the background, is liberating and accelerates your self-discovery by giving you more space to allow yourself to be who you are. This is entirely different from wearing a bikini on the streets in Southeast Asia after wearing Confucian-style clothing in your home country. The initial adventurous spirit of arriving in a new place fades, and it’s in the period when you’ve grown somewhat familiar with the place but still don’t belong to the community that you start to see your authentic self emerge. In various cities across the world, I encountered my intrinsic kindness. Even when I didn’t care about how I might be seen to others, and was under a massive amount of stress, I remained kind to others. My shyness was replaced with lengthy conversations with cab drivers. This new found self became a source of strength and uplifted me in ways I hadn’t expected. In various cities across the world, I encountered my intrinsic kindness. Even when I didn’t care about how I might be seen to others, and was under a massive amount of stress, I remained kind to others. My shyness was replaced with lengthy conversations with cab drivers. This new found self became a source of strength and uplifted me in ways I hadn’t expected. Language barrier was surprisingly not much of a discomfort, but a factor that helped with self-discovery. How much do the words and sounds we hear around us everyday influence our thoughts? Even last weekend, while hiking in the utter peace of nature, I passed by a group discussing the housing prices of Seoul. Under the clear sky, their conversation made blurred my future into darkness. Koreans, as a whole, seem particularly focused on wealth and the economy, with a strong drive toward accumulating wealth. Since my only financial planning involves saving whatever is left after impulsively spending my salary, hearing these conversations makes me feel on the verge of a panic attack. Additionally, I’m often greeted by a YouTube ad playing the moment I get in although I pay for each ride. Language barrier Just how much do the words and sounds around us in daily life influence our state of mind Just how much do the words and sounds around us in daily life influence our state of mind Just how much do the words and sounds around us in daily life influence our state of mind In this day and age, exposure to materialistic and consumerist attitudes and media isn’t an experience exclusive to my home country. However, in a foreign country, all advertisements and other people’s conversations just come across as noise, so even if I was exposed to them, I wasn’t really impacted by them. Of course, just because I can’t understand the language around me doesn’t mean that the influence of the culture I’ve lived in for decades simply disappears. Even in the laid-back atmosphere of Southeast Asia, I still found myself prioritizing efficiency and speed — like a true Korean. But when the surrounding noise faded, I began to hear an authentic voice within me — a voice I couldn’t hear as clearly back in Korea. It was the desire to pursue art and creative work, so I began writing again. authentic voice within me Traveling to different places felt almost like being free of a past, and therefore your age. Perhaps it’s because, as a foreigner, you’re somewhat invisible, not part of that community’s recorded history — only by staying long enough, by becoming a familiar face, might you start to leave a mark. Or maybe it’s because the places woven into the history of my life are out of sight, and all I see is ‘new’ around me. Anyways, with the emergence of the unique voice inside me, I also stopped feeling so self-conscious of my age. The self-doubt that normally would have risen with the emergence of my authentic voice subdued in the seeming absence of the history it was born from. But the best part of being a digital nomad didn’t strike me until it was over.. But the best part of being a digital nomad didn’t strike me until it was over.. I’ll tell you guys everything about it in Part 3, next week.. Thanks for reading

The Reality of Digital Nomads: Defying Sight and Sound

<Deel 2> Die realiteit van digitale nomades: trotseer sig en klank

<Част 2> Реалността на дигиталните номади: противопоставяне на зрението и звука

<পর্ব 2> ডিজিটাল যাযাবরের বাস্তবতা: দৃষ্টি ও শব্দকে অস্বীকার করা

<Parte 2> La realidad de los nómadas digitales: desafiando la vista y el oído

<Drugi dio> Stvarnost digitalnih nomada: prkoseći vidu i zvuku

<第2部> デジタル遊牧民の現実：視覚と聴覚を無視

<2-бөлүк> Санариптик көчмөндөрдүн чындыгы: Көрүү жана үнгө каршы

<2 dalis> Skaitmeninių klajoklių realybė: nepaisyti vaizdo ir garso

<Część 2> Rzeczywistość cyfrowych nomadów: rzucanie wyzwania wzrokowi i słuchowi

<Chikamu 2> Chokwadi cheDigital Nomads: Kuzvidza Kuona uye Kunzwika

<Частина 2> Реальність цифрових кочівників: заперечення зору та звуку

<پارٹ 2> ڈیجیٹل خانہ بدوشوں کی حقیقت: نظر اور آواز کی مخالفت

The HackerNoon Newsletter: The Reality of Digital Nomads: Chasing Adventure, Finding What? (11/2/2024)

In July 2023, I had the opportunity to start working remotely for a couple of blockchain companies. Not wanting to waste a single moment of this opportunity, I dove into a digital nomad lifestyle, traveling across three continents, 13 countries, and 20 cities over the course of a year. Even before I graduated college, I started working in an office at an IT startup, so after three and a half years of office work, there was nothing more liberating and enchanting than opening my MacBook in cafés with an uniquely exotic backdrops. The freedom to go anywhere I wanted was ecstasy. During the first three months of remote work, I probably visited almost every café in Seoul. Then, I went on a trip to Europe with my parents and also visited my sister in Philadelphia, working remotely while traveling freely. Then, at the beginning of 2024, I decided to set off to Southeast Asia, starting with a month-long stay in Bangkok, the mecca for digital nomads in Asia after Bali. Experienced digital nomads would usually pack as lightly as possible, but as an overjoyed beginner, I left home with a fully packed 25kg suitcase and a 7kg carry-on. Of course, I regretted it several times along the way. My luggage included multiple dresses that would have been a bit too flashy to wear in Korea, along six pairs of shoes in anticipation of any special occasion that might just come up. I was so thrilled that I even published a post on my Medium blog titled How I Became a Digital Nomad in 6 Months With No Coding Skills. At the time of the post, I only had 22 subscribers, but it gained quite a bit of traction, attracting 20 new fans and receiving over 100 reactions. Seeing the enthusiastic response to my blog, which remains my most popular piece to this day, I was able to reaffirm that this lifestyle is something many people aspire to. This reaffirmation became very valuable to me because, in reality, the digital nomad life I experienced was lonely, unstable, and extremely stressful. The idea of breaking free from the constraints of traditional work and daily life felt like such an adventure for me. I thought that my days would be filled with delightful peaks if I just stepped outside of my regular routine—so much so that I packed six pairs of shoes! But reality turned out to be quite different. Settling into new places is undoubtedly fun and exciting, but even the excitement of newness becomes routine after about two weeks - but this is all on just the surface-level of our perception. Within our subconscious systems, circuits and gears are working tirelessly to adapt to the new environments we’ve placed ourselves in. When we’re in unfamiliar surroundings, our brain’s orientation system activates. This system helps us navigate our surroundings, recognize patterns, and adjusts our behavior accordingly. The hippocampus and amygdala play key roles in this process, helping us to perceive and remember spatial information and evaluate safety within those spaces. This cognitive load that comes from processing a vast amount of new stimuli and situations consumes significant brain energy, unlike the familiar routine tasks that used to take minimal effort. Imagine your brain only used to walk familiar paths, but now everywhere needs is new and needs to be calculated. As this cognitive load builds up until the environment feels sufficiently familiar, we start to consciously experience it as pressure or stress. I never stayed in a single city for over a month. I had believed the best way to get the most of remote work was to explore as many places as possible. The second reason was that until I felt certain that this was the right place to settle down, I didn’t want to deal with the uninspiring hassle of administrative procedures like visa issuance. At that time, my job involved frequent business trips, so I often planned my travels by extending my stay for a few weeks at the locations I visited for work. However, my ambition in wanting to see the world, and failure to take the leap and commit resulted in a cumulative unconscious workload of constantly having to adapt to multiple places in a short period—which scientifically resulted into stress. Moreover, I had full-time work on my plate, which psychologically felt like a heavier burden than it should have been. I was working more hours and on the weekends trying to make up for the time that I spent unfocused. I often found myself getting irritated with people around me, fearing I wouldn’t complete tasks on time, or becoming almost obsessive about getting things done in a certain way. I think I had this underlying sense of being unable to control my life in constantly changing environments, and it was quite overwhelming. Excerpt from my journal entry on the 12th of February, 2024 which is 19 days after I arrive in Bangkok. Oh God, this morning I felt this dense ball of air stuck in the back of my head, like an air bubble. Although air physically carries no weight, the one back there felt heavy that my head was tilting back as I was walking out from the bed. It’s like my brain was trying to stop me. Back home, I maintained a regular routine with five workouts a week with home-cooked meals. However, when my fatigue level reached its peak, it became difficult to stick to my regular exercise routine at local gyms, and even cooking meals at home became a luxury once I started traveling. I knew that home-cooked meals are the best, so I bought the necessary soy sauce, Gochujang, Mulyeot etc. that were needed to cook Korean meals when I arrived at my first destination in Southeast Asia. However, I didn’t even get to use a quarter of them before leaving them behind as I moved on to Phuket, making eating out was much less wasteful. Korean food abroad is more expensive than it is in Korea, and healthy meals are just as pricey. So, I mostly relied on local cuisine, and found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the oily fried dishes and unfamiliar flavors. While it's quite obvious that traveling would make it hard to maintain the diet I wanted, I intend to highlight the irony of how gaining freedom in place means but losing freedom in meals. Now, I often joke that people living this lifestyle should be called "digital homeless" rather than digital nomads. In fact, historically, nomadic living was primarily based on collective or communal life. However, digital nomads don't travel with their community. They travel alone, or sometimes as a couple. So in my joke, the word "home" in "digital homeless" doesn’t refer to a house or an apartment, but rather to a community where one belongs— family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Yes, there are digital nomad communities that can be accessed anywhere in the world, but those digital nomad communities can be more simply put as ‘a group of strangers that hosts co-working and after hour bar sessions’. A community isn’t a community until it starts feeling like yours over a period of time. A segment of people from history that actually resembles a digital nomad would be the Mountain Hermits and Monastic Wanderers. For example, Christian hermits in medieval Europe or wandering Buddhist monks in East Asia often chose to live away from home, moving from place to place to find spiritual enlightenment, or solitude. So, why do people choose the digital nomad lifestyle? Like the wandering Buddhist monks and Christian hermits - the instability and stress from exploring so many different places does in fact provide spiritual enlightenment and growth. That’s the for story next week. Thanks for reading. In July 2023, I had the opportunity to start working remotely for a couple of blockchain companies. Not wanting to waste a single moment of this opportunity, I dove into a digital nomad lifestyle, traveling across three continents, 13 countries, and 20 cities over the course of a year. Even before I graduated college, I started working in an office at an IT startup, so after three and a half years of office work, there was nothing more liberating and enchanting than opening my MacBook in cafés with an uniquely exotic backdrops. The freedom to go anywhere I wanted was ecstasy . During the first three months of remote work, I probably visited almost every café in Seoul. Then, I went on a trip to Europe with my parents and also visited my sister in Philadelphia, working remotely while traveling freely. liberating enchanting ecstasy Then, at the beginning of 2024, I decided to set off to Southeast Asia, starting with a month-long stay in Bangkok, the mecca for digital nomads in Asia after Bali. Experienced digital nomads would usually pack as lightly as possible, but as an overjoyed beginner, I left home with a fully packed 25kg suitcase and a 7kg carry-on. Of course, I regretted it several times along the way. My luggage included multiple dresses that would have been a bit too flashy to wear in Korea, along six pairs of shoes in anticipation of any special occasion that might just come up. I was so thrilled that I even published a post on my Medium blog titled How I Became a Digital Nomad in 6 Months With No Coding Skills . At the time of the post, I only had 22 subscribers, but it gained quite a bit of traction, attracting 20 new fans and receiving over 100 reactions. Seeing the enthusiastic response to my blog, which remains my most popular piece to this day, I was able to reaffirm that this lifestyle is something many people aspire to. This reaffirmation became very valuable to me because, in reality, the digital nomad life I experienced was lonely , unstable , and extremely stressful . How I Became a Digital Nomad in 6 Months With No Coding Skills lonely unstable extremely stressful The idea of breaking free from the constraints of traditional work and daily life felt like such an adventure for me. I thought that my days would be filled with delightful peaks if I just stepped outside of my regular routine—so much so that I packed six pairs of shoes! But reality turned out to be quite different. Settling into new places is undoubtedly fun and exciting, but even the excitement of newness becomes routine after about two weeks - but this is all on just the surface-level of our perception. Within our subconscious systems, circuits and gears are working tirelessly to adapt to the new environments we’ve placed ourselves in. When we’re in unfamiliar surroundings, our brain’s orientation system activates. This system helps us navigate our surroundings, recognize patterns, and adjusts our behavior accordingly. The hippocampus and amygdala play key roles in this process, helping us to perceive and remember spatial information and evaluate safety within those spaces. This cognitive load that comes from processing a vast amount of new stimuli and situations consumes significant brain energy, unlike the familiar routine tasks that used to take minimal effort. Imagine your brain only used to walk familiar paths, but now everywhere needs is new and needs to be calculated. As this cognitive load builds up until the environment feels sufficiently familiar, we start to consciously experience it as pressure or stress. orientation system As this cognitive load builds up until the environment feels sufficiently familiar, we start to consciously experience it as pressure or stress. I never stayed in a single city for over a month. I had believed the best way to get the most of remote work was to explore as many places as possible. The second reason was that until I felt certain that this was the right place to settle down, I didn’t want to deal with the uninspiring hassle of administrative procedures like visa issuance. At that time, my job involved frequent business trips, so I often planned my travels by extending my stay for a few weeks at the locations I visited for work. However, my ambition in wanting to see the world , and failure to take the leap and comm it resulted in a cumulative unconscious workload of constantly having to adapt to multiple places in a short period—which scientifically resulted into stress. ambition in wanting to see the world failure to take the leap and comm Moreover, I had full-time work on my plate, which psychologically felt like a heavier burden than it should have been. I was working more hours and on the weekends trying to make up for the time that I spent unfocused. I often found myself getting irritated with people around me, fearing I wouldn’t complete tasks on time, or becoming almost obsessive about getting things done in a certain way. I think I had this underlying sense of being unable to control my life in constantly changing environments , and it was quite overwhelming . underlying sense of being unable to control my life in constantly changing environments overwhelming Excerpt from my journal entry on the 12th of February, 2024 which is 19 days after I arrive in Bangkok. Oh God, this morning I felt this dense ball of air stuck in the back of my head, like an air bubble. Although air physically carries no weight, the one back there felt heavy that my head was tilting back as I was walking out from the bed. It’s like my brain was trying to stop me. Oh God, this morning I felt this dense ball of air stuck in the back of my head, like an air bubble. Although air physically carries no weight, the one back there felt heavy that my head was tilting back as I was walking out from the bed. It’s like my brain was trying to stop me. Oh God, this morning I felt this dense ball of air stuck in the back of my head, like an air bubble. Although air physically carries no weight, the one back there felt heavy that my head was tilting back as I was walking out from the bed. It’s like my brain was trying to stop me. Back home, I maintained a regular routine with five workouts a week with home-cooked meals. However, when my fatigue level reached its peak, it became difficult to stick to my regular exercise routine at local gyms, and even cooking meals at home became a luxury once I started traveling. I knew that home-cooked meals are the best, so I bought the necessary soy sauce, Gochujang, Mulyeot etc. that were needed to cook Korean meals when I arrived at my first destination in Southeast Asia. However, I didn’t even get to use a quarter of them before leaving them behind as I moved on to Phuket, making eating out was much less wasteful. Korean food abroad is more expensive than it is in Korea, and healthy meals are just as pricey. So, I mostly relied on local cuisine, and found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the oily fried dishes and unfamiliar flavors. While it's quite obvious that traveling would make it hard to maintain the diet I wanted, I intend to highlight the irony of how gaining freedom in place means but losing freedom in meals. the irony of how gaining freedom in place means but losing freedom in meals. Now, I often joke that people living this lifestyle should be called "digital homeless" rather than digital nomads. In fact, historically, nomadic living was primarily based on collective or communal life. However, digital nomads don't travel with their community. They travel alone, or sometimes as a couple. So in my joke, the word "home" in "digital homeless" doesn’t refer to a house or an apartment, but rather to a community where one belongs— family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Yes, there are digital nomad communities that can be accessed anywhere in the world, but those digital nomad communities can be more simply put as ‘a group of strangers that hosts co-working and after hour bar sessions’. A community isn’t a community until it starts feeling like yours over a period of time. Now, I often joke that people living this lifestyle should be called "digital homeless" rather than digital nomads. digital nomad communities A community isn’t a community until it starts feeling like yours over a period of time. A segment of people from history that actually resembles a digital nomad would be the Mountain Hermits and Monastic Wanderers . For example, Christian hermits in medieval Europe or wandering Buddhist monks in East Asia often chose to live away from home, moving from place to place to find spiritual enlightenment, or solitude. Mountain Hermits Monastic Wanderers So, why do people choose the digital nomad lifestyle? So, why do people choose the digital nomad lifestyle? Like the wandering Buddhist monks and Christian hermits - the instability and stress from exploring so many different places does in fact provide spiritual enlightenment and growth. That’s the for story next week. Thanks for reading.

The Reality of Digital Nomads: Chasing Adventure, Finding What?

حقيقة البدو الرقميين: ملاحقة المغامرة، العثور على ماذا؟

Рэальнасць лічбавых качэўнікаў: у пагоні за прыгодамі, у пошуку чаго?

La realidad de los nómadas digitales: ¿en busca de aventuras y qué encuentran?

Digitaalisten nomadien todellisuus: jahtaavat seikkailua, mitä löytää?

A realidade dos nómadas dixitais: perseguindo aventuras, buscando que?

Stvarnost digitalnih nomada: jureći avanturu, pronaći što?

デジタル遊牧民の現実: 冒険を追い求めて、何を見つけるのか?

ຄວາມເປັນຈິງຂອງ Digital Nomads: ແລ່ນການຜະຈົນໄພ, ຊອກຫາຫຍັງ?

De realiteit van digitale nomaden: op zoek naar avontuur, wat vinden?

Rzeczywistość cyfrowych nomadów: w pogoni za przygodami i w znalezieniu czego?

ڈیجیٹل خانہ بدوشوں کی حقیقت: مہم جوئی کا پیچھا کرنا، کیا تلاش کرنا؟

Inyani yeeNomads zeDijithali: Ukusukela i-Adventure, ukufumana ntoni?

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