Yanna here again – Digital Nomad Training Program Leader here at Wade Marketing!
A typical day in the life of a digital nomad, like myself, can vary greatly depending on where in the world you happen to be and what kind of digital nomad you’d like to be.
When you’re a digital nomad, you can work remotely and travel the world at the same time. With the rise of remote jobs, such as digital marketing, this lifestyle has become increasingly popular. The idea of being able to travel the world while still being able to make a living is appealing to a lot of people.
As long as you can get your work done, why not do it from a different location every few weeks or months? The main thing to keep in mind is to get a digital-nomad-friendly job. For example, my workplace knows what I’m doing. As long as I get my job done and get to meetings on time, they’re happy with me. If you’re working at a place that doesn’t allow traveling, there are ways around that like using VPNs and digital backgrounds to disguise your location, but this kind of behavior is done at your own risk.
Now, onto a typical day in my life as a digital nomad. Keep in mind that this is just one example and every digital nomad’s day will be different. I find my days normally split into two different flavors of “typical,” so see which one appeals most to you.
Typical Day #1: A Standard Working Day In Europe
My morning typically starts with a workout, followed by breakfast at a local cafe. I then head to a coworking space and get some work done until lunch.
Morning time is a great opportunity for me to do some uninterrupted work since most of my coworkers are based in EST. With no emails or Slack notifications, I can focus hard and work on complex projects.
In the afternoon, I take the opportunity to stretch my legs and explore a bit of the city while grabbing some lunch. If I’m in a beach town, I’ll go for a walk along the beach.
After lunch, I head back to my “office,” which can be my room or a coworking space. The afternoon is typically when I do more of my communication since my coworkers have logged on. This is normally when I do most of my meetings, too.
Note: My particular employer doesn’t need me to clock in at 9 am EST, because they’re happy as long as I get my work done. Depending on your employer, the situation may be different. Some employers can be strict about working hours.
When you’re looking for a good digital nomad job, this is a huge factor to keep in mind since working with local hours will make your life a lot easier and happier.
In the evenings, I like to take the chance to get to know some other digital nomads at meetups or events. At Wade Marketing, we offer a great community of like-minded digital nomads to travel with and spend time with. Community is such a huge part of being a digital nomad – the people you spend time with can make or break your journey.
Typical Day #2: A Special Sightseeing or Tourism Day
The great part of being a digital nomad is that you can work and tour cities at the same time. For example, a few months ago, I had an ATV tour around the Greek islands that went on until 2 pm. At that point, none of my coworkers were even awake yet, so I was able to finish off my workday while still being able to enjoy the tour.
On these types of sightseeing days, I typically spend my morning touring or exploring and then work a little later into the night to make sure I get all my work done. I normally will check my inbox again once it’s 9-10 am EST, as this is when most people in my company are waking up.
In the evening, I try to finish off any projects, fire off some email replies, and outline what I want my next day to look like. I also like to have dinner with other digital nomads and try new restaurants. Before going to bed, I check my inbox one last time to ensure there’s nothing urgent that needs my attention.
Remember: “Typical” Is What You Make of It
It’s important to keep a few things in mind when you’re a digital nomad. Time zone differences, weekly meetings, and opening hours for your location can all affect your workday. It’s essential to find a balance that works for you and to choose what kind of digital nomad you want to be. Some digital nomads prefer slow travel, while others are constantly on the go.
You may also find that your “typical” shifts based on where you are. For example, in Spain, there’s no getting any work done between 2 pm and 5 pm, especially during the summer. This is when Spaniards enjoy the “siesta,” to avoid the hottest part of the day. As you travel, you should try to mesh with the local culture as much as you can.
The most important thing to remember is that either of my “typical” days might not meet what you’re looking for, and that’s OK. You may not want anything typical at all. As a digital nomad, you have the power to design your lifestyle, whether there’s a routine or not, whether you work mornings or evenings, and how you prioritize your time.
In summary, a typical day in the life of a digital nomad is one filled with freedom and flexibility. We can make our days what we want them to be, and we have more control over our lives. We can travel to new locations and experience different cultures while still being able to make a living. Being a digital nomad is a unique and exciting way to live, and it’s something I wouldn’t trade for the traditional 9-5 office job.
