Becoming a Digital Nomad
Thursday, January 08, 2015 09:19 PM
"For all its material advantages, the sedentary life has left us edgy, unfulfilled. Even after 400 generations in villages and cities, we haven't forgotten. The open road still softly calls. Like a nearly forgotten song of childhood." - Carl Sagen, Pale Blue Dot
"For all its material advantages, the sedentary life has left us edgy, unfulfilled. Even after 400 generations in villages and cities, we haven't forgotten. The open road still softly calls. Like a nearly forgotten song of childhood." - Carl Sagen, Pale Blue Dot
Do you remember airport viewing decks? Those places where you could sit and watch planes take off and land? I remember as a child hearing the roaring whine of the powerful engines and watching the shiny metal bodies pull themselves into the sky to disappear to some remote, unknown destination. Even now, seeing a plane take off never fails to fascinate and excite me.
I am a wanderer, a nomad. From the afternoons spent exploring the forest behind my childhood home to the college-age years spent globe hopping in an effort to figure out what I wanted in life (hint: I'm still not sure), wandering has always been my way. Traveling is embedded in me.
"I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick
During my twenties, my usual method of travel involved working for a few months to save money, spending several months overseas, and returning nearly penniless. I was technically an independent web developer, but I could barely manage to maintain current client websites, let alone secure and complete new contracts. Now, after spending a couple of years as a full-time employee, I am trying hard to make sure being a digital nomad actually works.
This past summer I quit my full time job in Portland, Oregon, in anticipation of moving to New Zealand. I want to really start capitalizing on the fact that I have a job I can do anywhere there's a (decent) internet connection. I'm in the midst of planning for this move, and I will be sharing my experience of becoming a digital nomad. There's a lot to learn: taxes, health care, how to balance exploring and working, packing, visas, buying tickets–and much more I'm unaware of still.
My hope is that the upcoming articles inform you about being a digital nomad, and that maybe they'll inspire you to be one as well. I think everyone benefits from experiencing parts of the world they are unfamiliar with. Hopefully this will encourage you to step out and explore.
Comments
jewel said
I can’t wait to hear more about your adventures and learn along the way. Stumbled across this timelapse of some travel and thought of you. http://vimeo.com/115832476 To adventure!
On 02/08 at 01:14 PM