The Digital Nomad Lifestyle: What & How I Roll
How do I live the digital nomad lifestyle and travel the world like a queen?
After ten years in corporate America, I ditched the 9-5 for a much-needed sabbatical. That sabbatical has since turned into a digital nomad lifestyle and a new career as a travel blogger.
Who would have thought a little immigrant girl from Romania would ditch societal rules and cultural norms and get the fuk out of her self-built gilded cage to travel the world as she pleases!?
What is my lifestyle as a digital nomad?
Living the digital nomad life has forever changed my views on many things, including how I introduce myself, my relationship with control, and what I think is the right way of living a life.
We are not defined by our careers but by who we are as human beings.
For the longest time, if someone asked me to introduce myself, I would start by telling them my name and what I did for a living, name-dropping the shit out of my fancy company title.
Now, when someone asks me to introduce myself, instead of defining myself by my career, I introduce myself like this…
“Hi, I’m Mariana; I love espressos three times a day because it makes my heart skip in the happiest of ways, I think Japanese anime is abosoulety amazing (why is Disney so basic in their storylines), and I’ve recently slow traveled the Italian Dolomites because I love the mountains and the mix between German and Italian culture that is so oxymoronic but somehow works so well in those small mountain village towns.”
True confidence is trusting that when something doesn’t go well, you will still be ok.
Being on the road as a digital nomad is no joke. It’s a give-and-take. You give up some comforts from a ‘regular life’ in order to gain others in the ‘digital nomad’ life.
The truth is, no matter how well you plan, trains will always be delayed, flights canceled, and your Airbnb will sometimes smell weird. The supermarket is nowhere near as stocked as the local HEB back home, and everything is closed on Sunday, all religious holidays (of which there are plenty), and any time someone wants to take a nap mid-day #EuropeLife.
But, once you learn all the quirks about a place, you learn to appreciate what IS there…not just what IS NOT there for you.
Local weekend markets in Europe are wonderful, and the food is as organic as it gets and as cheap as it gets. Even though it might mess with your over-maximizing OCD personality, flights and trains can be rebooked. And when everyone is taking an afternoon nap because it’s the culture – ask yourself, “Why am I not taking a nap, too?”
Ditch that silly need for control and enjoy what is around you. Remember that you are OK, and you can sort most things out as they come with a smile and Google Translate!
What you think is right depends on what you are trying to protect.
I have spent countless hours thinking about my newfound solo-girl digital nomad lifestyle. Is it the right way to live my life?
Or am I being shortsighted and giving up a chance at a second career in a safe company, an opportunity to date grounded people in order to start a family in a home base, getting a golden doodle to match my purse?
Real talk, after a lot of soul searching, I find that I live with a deep sense of longing to see the world for myself, to be the explorer, the person who doesn’t just talk about things but is the doer. I get high on life when it’s me and the open road to somewhere pretty – no plans, no meetings, no responsibilities, zero fucks given.
I don’t know if I’m doing it right, but I am trying to protect and nurture this free spirit. And I feel good about that decision.
How Do I Afford All Of This?
And really, you’re probably thinking – how can this girl afford to travel full time? Well, being a travel blogger does generate revenue and sometimes has its sponsorship perks.
I also control my operating expenses and think like an entrepreneur when it comes to making ends meet. Here’s the accounting of my budget every month.
Total Travel Budget:
$3,000 per month
➡️ Monthly Rent: $1,500
- I stay in AirBnBs with kitchens so I can cook most of my meals, which saves money long term, plus keeps me healthy because eating out can be a real drag every day.
- I opt for long-term monthly rentals as much as possible because those tend to be discounted compared to renting an AirBnB for a few days or a week.
- Staying in one place for longer time vibes with my slow travel needs, and I get to know a place and its people more deeply.
- I don’t usually stay in hostels unless it’s for one night only or under unique circumstances.
- I prioritize centrally located lodging because it can mean I don’t need to rent a car to get around, plus I love good views and being in the middle of things.
➡️ Food & Drink: $1,000
- I eat out 2-4 times a week, mostly at lunchtime, because I’m out and about exploring.
- I usually cook dinner at home and either Netflix & chill or talk to my fam and friends because it’s the best time for time zone differences.
- If I want to get dinner with someone because I’m feeling lonely, I’ll jump on dating apps and snag myself a date for the weekend. Quick fix until I’m back in a city where I have friends.
➡️ Transportation (Car Rental, Public Transport, Fligths): $400
- I usually don’t need to rent a car, and flights in Europe between countries are cheap.
- This is where I usually save money every month.
➡️ Random: $100
- Reserved for a cute new dress, postcards, a specific little tour or cooking class I’ve been eyeing, or just savings for next month.
My income stems from my travel blog and related travel planning services. It does help that I don’t have debt, leverage credit card points and travel hacks as much as possible, don’t have any dependents, and generally practice good financial habits when it comes to living within my means.
3 Lessons Learned Along The Way
Here are my little gems of wisdom after living like a digital nomad for 3 years.
1. Travel Light
Don’t pack your whole house when hitting the road. I’ve put together a little guide on how to travel in a carry-on suitcase for a road trip or a month no matter where you go. Because trust me, you don’t want to wheel your rolly suitcase on the cobblestones or European towns – don’t be that American! 🙂
2. Safety First
SafetyWing is a travel medical insurance that was created by nomads for nomads – and the one I use when traveling. You can purchase a policy even if your trip has already started and pause and resume coverage with flexibility.
You’re covered in almost all countries, and you don’t need to let them know about your itinerary in advance. Perfect for people like me who don’t know where they’ll be next month!
➡️ Check Prices with SafetyWing for your trip!
3. Enjoy The Ride
You don’t experience wild and beautiful moments in your comfort zone, so get out there and do something different. Less talk, more action. There’s a whole world of things to see and people who would love to meet you out there.
Final Thoughts: Is The Digital Nomad Life Forever?
My biggest achievement in life is that I finally know who I am. And I finally love what I do, and how I do it. I like my mistakes, and I like the way I learn. And I like the pace with which I learn from my mistakes. The self-love I’ve gained from shifting to a digital nomad life is powerful.
Is it forever? I’m not sure. Someone once said that a real loser is someone so afraid of not winning they don’t even try. I just figured I would try differently and see how it goes for a while.
How are you trying?
