Introduction

It’s 2023 and you’ve had it with your 9-5 job. You want to break free and become a digital nomad, but you don’t know how to get started. You’ve heard that it’s possible to work remotely, but you’re not sure where to start or what skills you need.

Don’t worry, I’m here to help. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about becoming a digital nomad in 2023. I’ll show you how to diversify your skillset, find the right remote job, and establish a work-life balance. And I’ll also share my tips for finding the best digital nomad destinations. So read on and let’s get started!

Why You Should Become a Digital Nomad

You should become a digital nomad because it gives you the freedom to travel and work when and where you want. You can become a digital nomad by learning how to work remotely from anywhere in the world. It’s not going to be easy, but it is possible to make it happen.

The great thing about being a digital nomad is that you can live anywhere you want and work from anywhere in the world. All you need is an internet connection and a laptop. You can work as a freelance writer, web developer, social media manager, or any other remote job that you can think of.

There are endless opportunities for those who want to work remotely, and the best part is that the number of remote jobs is only going to increase in the years to come. So if you’re thinking of making the switch to becoming a digital nomad, now is the time to do it!

How to Prepare to Become a Digital Nomad

The digital nomad lifestyle is a wonderful way to see the world while still being able to make a living. But there are a few things you’ll need to do before making the jump.

First, you’ll need to create a solid source of online income. This could be through freelancing, online teaching, writing, or any of your skills that you can monetize. Once you have that steady income coming in, you can start planning your travels.

Another thing you’ll need to do is research the best countries for digital nomads. These countries offer visas for digital nomads, and they have great infrastructure and plenty of coworking spaces. Some of my favourite countries include Thailand, Spain, and Portugal.

Finally, it’s essential to find a work-life balance as a digital nomad. This means managing your time well to ensure that you aren’t burning yourself out by working all day and night. Be sure to block off time for yourself to explore your new destination, make new friends, and relax.

What Skills Do You Need to Work Remotely?

To become a digital nomad in 2023, you’ll need to be willing to put in the hard work and planning.

First, you’ll need to simplify your job hunt. There are so many jobs that can be done remotely, so don’t limit yourself to just one field. Consider freelance work, too. You can make enough money to become a digital nomad by saving up and freelancing.

Second, decide what kind of remote work you want. Do you want to work for a company? Be a freelancer? Work from home? There are plenty of options out there, so find one that suits your lifestyle, skills and interests.

I would suggest completing online courses that are relevant to your field or the field that you’re interested in. This experience will look great on your CV and will show a willingness to learn and excel to your potential employer. 

Where to Find Online Courses?

• LinkedIn offers a variety of free and paid online courses relating to different fields.
• Udemy offers both free and paid online courses for professional subjects like web design, marketing and personal development subjects.
• Skillshare is aimed towards creative fields like filmmaking and creative writing and has both free and paid courses.
• Coursera works with universities and other organisations to provide a variety of different courses, for some of which you can get a degree or an accredited certificate.
• Codecademy offers courses in coding for all skill levels with free and paid options to explore.

My Experience 

Personally, I love being a freelance English Teacher online. I teach English as a foreign language to students of all ages from all over the world. This job gives me the flexibility I need to travel and work remotely from different countries.

I work on a website called iTalki, on this platform students can request 1-2-1 lessons with teachers. Teachers set their own hours and rates of pay. Want to know how much I earn from teaching on iTalki? Check out my iTalki blogs here!

I trained to become a TEFL teacher with tefl.org. They offer a variety of different courses to help you become the best teacher you can possibly be and prepare you for teaching different ages, levels and group sizes with various methods.

I recommend the 120-hour online course to get you started. This course gives you enough experience to apply for online teaching jobs and to work as a TEFL teacher abroad. 

There are so many interesting jobs you can do as a digital nomad, you just need to figure out which one is best for you!

Other Digital Nomad Jobs:

• Copywriting
• Affiliate Marketing
• Web Designing
• Blogging
• Coding
• Virtual Assistant
• Social Media Manager

Figuring Out Your Work-Life Balance

Last but not least, establish a work-life balance. This is key when it comes to working remotely—you don’t want to burn out by working all day and all night. Make sure you set some boundaries for yourself and take time for your hobbies and loved ones.

How to Find the Right Digital Nomad Destinations for You

Then comes the tricky part—choosing the right destination. Your job and prospects for growth should be one of the factors you consider when making your choice. You’ll also need to take your budget into account, as living as a digital nomad can be expensive if you’re not careful.

Things to Consider Before Finalising Your Digital Nomad Destination:

• Safety – priority number one! Is the country safe? A quick Google search will give you the answer within seconds.
• Wifi – are there places in this country with great wifi? As a digital nomad, you will definitely need good wifi, so make sure you’re not heading anywhere too remote!
• Cost of living – you need to make sure that you can afford to live in this country for a short amount of time. What is your budget for accommodation per night? How much can you spend on transport, activities and food during your stay? 

Check for long-term stays on Airbnb and you can filter by price, location and amenities. Booking.com is also good for shorter stays and offers good deals the more stays you complete through their website.

• Visas – some countries offer 3-month visas, others just 30 days. Some visas you will need to pay for, while others will be free on arrival. Check with your local government website to see what requirements are in place for your passport-issuing country.

When planning my itinerary, I usually figure out how much I need to work in between travelling around. When I’m working I like to get into a routine and stay for the full 90 days in visa-free countries when possible.

• Lastly, how interesting is the destination? What is there to see and do? Is there enough to keep you occupied after work and on weekends? Do you prefer cities or natural landscapes? This is when you need to take your personal preferences into account and visualise where you want to be at a certain point in time.

If you’ve just spent 3 months in a capital city, chances are you then want to take a break from city life and head somewhere coastal and less built-up. Variety is the spice of life, as they say!

Luckily, there are plenty of destinations that are perfect for digital nomads. From cheap and cheerful Southeast Asia to exotic destinations like Brazil and Morocco, there’s something for everyone. You can also find great coworking spaces in most major cities, which is a great way to meet other freelancers and entrepreneurs.

My Digital Nomad Destination Recommendations:

As a digital nomad myself, I can recommend a few digital nomad destinations that I’ve particularly enjoyed on my journey so far:

• Split, Croatia. There is an ever-growing hub of digital nomads in the small city of Split. Somewhere close to the Old Town would be the perfect location to stay for a few months in Split. 
• Seville, Spain. A beautiful historic city that is walkable with plenty to see and do. You’ll find the most delicious tapas here!
• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia’s capital city is a bustling metropolis with all sorts of things to keep you entertained in your free time. You can go on many day trips and long weekends from here too.
• Bangkok, Thailand. Another capital city that’s bursting with culture, liveliness and delicious food!

Tips for Creating a Work-Life Balance as a Digital Nomad

Creating a work-life balance as a digital nomad can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Make sure you have the right mindset. This means being flexible and embracing change. Things will not always go according to plan, so be prepared to roll with the punches.

2. Have a good money-making strategy in place. This could include taking your existing job remotely or getting a new job that allows you to work from anywhere. There are many ways to make money while travelling, including passive income sources.

3. Diversify your skillset. In order to be successful as a digital nomad, you need to be able to do a variety of things. This includes writing, web development, design, and so on.

4. Find a work-life balance that works for you. This might mean working fewer hours during the day or finding a coworking space where you can set boundaries between work and home life.

5. Meet other digital nomads. This can help you feel less alone and more connected while on the road.

How to Meet Other Digital Nomads

Meeting other digital nomads when you first arrive at your new destination might be slightly daunting, but I promise it’s worth putting yourself out there! 

However, before you embark on your digital nomad journey, you can reach out to other digital nomads online, chat with them and hear their experiences and if they have any tips for you.

Once you have finalised your destination, I suggest joining Facebook Groups like ‘Digital Nomads in X’, ‘Expats in X’. By becoming part of these groups, you can see what others are posting and join in on anything that sparks your interest. 

Other great tools for meeting people are apps like Buddyng, Couch Surfing and Meetup.

Finally, one of the best ways to get started is by asking around and talking to other digital nomads who have been where you’re trying to go. This is a great way to get information and find out what the experience is really like. I hope this article has been helpful!

Conclusion

If you’re dreaming of quitting your 9-5 job to become a digital nomad, you’re in luck. It’s entirely possible to make the switch, but it takes a lot of planning and preparation. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Diversify your skillset and learn how to work remotely. 

2. Find the right digital nomad destinations for you.

3. Make sure you have a work-life balance that works for you.

4. Meet other digital nomads and learn from their experiences.

And that’s it! Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to becoming a digital nomad in 2023.

I hope you enjoyed this blog and if you have any questions please leave a comment below or get in touch via email tianitravels@gmail.com or social media.