Why I chose to not be a digital nomad

The travel blogging community is obsessed with the term ‘digital nomad’. It pops up on every travel blog with top tips on how to be a digital nomad, why it’s so awesome being a digital nomad, a typical day in the life of a digital nomad and why everyone should quit their jobs to be a digital nomad.

I’ve got to admit, being a digital nomad is pretty flipping awesome and I did it myself for nearly a year – back in the days when I don’t even think the term existed. I worked as a copywriter while travelling around SE Asia and it was a great way to earn money while I travelled.

It came with frustrations such as being unable to find wifi or missing out on great experiences as I buried my head in my laptop while my friends went scuba diving or to an all-night beach party. I often found myself wondering if I’d be better off working hard at home and then 100% relaxing and enjoying myself while I travelled.

I returned home and got that all important journalism qualification that taught me next to nothing, got a job and got some life experience under my belt and thought that maybe one day I’d return to the digital nomad lifestyle.

When I quit my job to be a travel blogger I had the option to be a digital nomad again. I left London and I found myself attending fewer networking events and fewer face-to-face meetings, so being UK based wasn’t a priority. I didn’t really need to be based anywhere – so why didn’t I choose the digital nomad lifestyle?

It crossed my mind. In fact, it did more than cross my mind, I thought about it for a long time. I was living in a travel blogger bubble where most of my friends were travel bloggers or worked in the travel industry and everyone was aspiring to be a digital nomad.

But I chose to have a house and a car and a dog and a baby and all the normal things digital nomads tell us we shouldn’t want because they get in the way with travelling.

But I have them and I love them.

Admittedly, I don’t have a huge house or a flashy car and that’s because I’d rather save my money for travelling. I also have fabulous in-laws who look after my dog while I travel and my baby boy is still little enough to be flown around the world without really realizing what’s going on.

I love the fact I travel a lot for my blog. I love the excitement of planning my next trip and the anticipation as the date approaches. I like to pull my suitcase out from under the bed and carefully pack my clothes and plan my itinerary for while I’m away.

And I love being away from my regular routine and doing something different every day and exploring new places.

Then after a week or two I crave the normalcy of home. I want to work at my desk where I have a big screen, a comfy chair and all of my gadgets around me.

I want to sleep in my bed and wake up with my fiance. I love having a dog and taking him for long walks. I like making dinner in my kitchen and having my friends round whenever I want. I like having a local pub where I know all the staff and they know what I drink. I like being able to drop in at my parents house whenever I want and meet my friends for after-work drinks. I even like having a gym membership!

When I travel I often schedule in a few extra days in my destination just to work. It sounds weird being on holiday to work but I love it. Working in a different location, enjoying some sunshine, eating out for every meal and getting inspiration from the world around me is the highlight of my job. But I don’t want to do it everyday.

I even considered being a digital nomad because I thought it would make a better blog. People would rather read about a young woman travelling the world then a young woman who takes the odd holiday and then has a very normal life in Wales, right?

Actually, no, not always.

The main feedback I get from my readers is that they love the fact they can relate to my travel schedule. I take a couple of big trips a year and then fill the remainder of the year with weekenders and short trips. This is what most people do and this is what most people want to read about! I love reading about 6-month jaunts to South America but, realistically, when am I ever going to do that!?

So this post is for all the people who keep reading about digital nomads and thinking, ‘That sounds kinda cool but am I weird for not wanting it for myself?’ No, you’re not weird. But if you are, I am too!

I love having a job that allows me to work flexible hours and work from anywhere in the world. But I also love having a job that allows me to buy a house and live a ‘normal life’ when I feel like it.

If you’re interested in becoming a full time blogger, you might be interested in an e-course I’m launching about taking your blog to the next level and turning it into a full time income. The course is launching in May and you can join us on Facebook for regular updates.

Read more:

Life as a digital nomad: My advice and truths by As the Bird Flies

The reality of being a digital nomad by Twenty-Something Travels

How to live the digital nomad lifestyle by Vicky Flip Flop Travels