# The Reality of Being a Digital Nomad: More Lonely Than You Think
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Chapter 1: The Dream vs. The Reality
Living a life where you can work from any corner of the globe is a fantasy many aspire to. However, the truth is that this lifestyle can often feel more isolated than people anticipate.
Imagine a conversation at a picturesque café:
Me: "It's so nice to meet you! The weather here is just perfect; I could stay forever."
Her: "Great to meet you too! I know, right? So, what do you do for a living?"
Me: "I'm a digital nomad, working remotely with my laptop, focusing on business content."
Her: "Wow! You can work from anywhere in the world?!"
Me: "Sort of."
Her: "I’d do anything for that freedom."
Me: "There are downsides, though."
Her: "Come on, stop complaining. Oh, it’s getting late; I have to work in the morning. Not everyone gets to work from wherever, you know."
Me: "But it's only 11 PM. Let's chat for just one more hour."
Her: "That’s not feasible. Let’s plan to meet next week."
Me: "Perfect! How about I walk you home? And we can have tacos on Monday—Taco Mondays, right? Sounds fun!"
Her: "…"
Me: "Please, don’t leave."
After this exchange, I would return to my home office, diving into my solopreneurial pursuits. Frankly, I think this lifestyle should be referred to as "lonelypreneurship." The next article you might read could be titled "How to Make $5000 from Home."
Before that, let me share the reality of this lifestyle.
P.S. — A whopping 96% of my time goes into my newsletter, which has garnered 750k views and 12k readers. If you want to join my network, here's a link.
To understand my perspective, let me introduce myself. You probably want insights from someone who's spent years living as a digital nomad. Don’t expect me to be sun-kissed, holding a surfboard while penning this piece on a tropical beach.
I've been freelancing and running my own business for about 12 years now. Here’s a brief overview of my journey:
Chapter 2: The Freelancing Journey Begins
I kicked off my freelancing career on Upwork.com, which opened the door to entrepreneurship and allowed me to earn around $100k from the platform.
Every story needs a twist, right? Here’s mine:
I was once requested to refund about $12,000 because one of my clients had used someone else’s credit card. After months of back-and-forth with customer support, I decided it was best to move on, vowing never to rely solely on one platform again.
Section 2.1: Expanding Horizons
I then began writing articles on Medium, concentrating on business and entrepreneurship topics, while also using Fiverr as an alternative to Upwork.
My earnings have continued to grow since then; for instance, last month, Medium netted me around $4k, while Fiverr brought in about $5k.
Subsection 2.1.1: The Dual Nature of Nomad Life
Now, let’s delve into the real essence of this nomadic lifestyle.
First, the advantages — it’s the dream you’ve always envisioned. Yes, I can book a flight to Japan right now and enjoy breakfast with samurais. You might think, "Oh, he’s going to sacrifice his career growth."
In reality, diverse environments can foster innovative business ideas, ultimately enhancing performance. Some of my most pivotal business decisions emerged in countries I never expected to inspire me. My growth has outpaced many in traditional corporate roles, so don’t view it as a compromise.
The most significant advantage? You can disconnect whenever you choose.
Chapter 3: Seeking Connection
When New Year’s rolls around, people often write down their resolutions. You might aim for a more independent work setting.
After over a decade of solitude, my resolution is simple: "Don’t work alone."
Whether that means joining a team or launching your own company, the challenge is significantly tougher than freelancing alone. You're not just responsible for your own income; you’re also supporting others who rely on you.
Ultimately, what matters most is how your mental health fares. I realized this when I noticed changes in my social interactions. I don’t encounter people five days a week for eight hours a day.
Whether you believe it or not, your work offers you a hidden gift — the chance to communicate with others. I consider this the most crucial aspect of your professional life.
That’s my perspective. What’s yours? Are you content working with a team? Have you been solo for a while? Do you disagree? Is it something you must experience to fully understand? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s start a conversation.
I’m Al, a business consultant based in Zurich, Switzerland. I’m passionate about providing value to you, the reader. Follow me on various social media platforms to engage with my content.