Become a digital nomad, freedom at a price

Become a digital nomad means more than just traveling, it’s a deep confrontation with yourself

As easy as it might seem to others, “Enjoy your vacation", the reality couldn't be more different. Your journey can't truly be explained to someone who doesn't experience what you're going through. To become a digital nomad is a complete 180-degree turn.

A vision or dream seems perfect until you try to put it into practice. Life as a digital nomad holds many more dimensions and layers than you can anticipate beforehand. It’s a total shift: you’re giving up much more than just your hometown and your job.

Traveling as a digital nomad, often alone and reflective, makes you deeply aware of your thoughts. Everything you once suppressed comes rushing to the surface.

Onderweg als digital nomad, en tegelijkertijd alleen, bewust van je gedachten, reflectief, alles komt omhoog wat je ooit hebt weggestopt. Deze afbeelding verwoord het thema dat centraal staat in de tekst.

Taking the plunge

You consciously choose to take a leap into the unknown, regardless of what others think. They might not understand your vision, but you follow your own path. This often brings doubts and questions, especially when those closest to you share their opinions, usually shaped by their own experiences and fears.

The greatest journey you'll ever make is inward, and precisely that journey brings true freedom.

Not vacation, but confrontation

Yes, you certainly experience enjoyable moments, but it’s far from a vacation. You move to a new country, leaving family, friends, and everything familiar behind. Wherever you go, you always bring yourself along. No matter how beautiful the location or how perfect the weather, this newfound peace and extra time make room for everything you previously pushed away, everything you've struggled with surfaces clearly.

Starting over

You literally begin anew: building your network, friendships, routines, remote work, and learning a new language. Unlike vacation, where relaxation and briefly stepping away from work is the goal, becoming a digital nomad is different. You arrive at your destination and must immediately reconsider how you'll spend your time, how you'll network, and how you'll establish friendships. What took you years to build at home can't be recreated abroad within a few months. It quickly becomes clear how deeply you desire this life. Was it a passing whim, or does it stem from intrinsic motivation, a drive impossible to explain, constantly urging you to move forward despite setbacks?

The greatest lesson

The biggest lesson I've learned so far is that you always bring yourself wherever you go. Personally, I loved studying law, it suited me in many ways, but something creative was always missing. I assumed after graduating I'd naturally find a job perfectly blending both sides. Reality turned out differently. How do you combine two contrasting sides? I haven't found the right job yet. These questions, the peace I want, and the steps I must take to grow, everything follows me abroad.

Time for reflection

The difference now is that these issues come to the surface much more prominently. You're no longer rushing from one appointment to the next, creating more space for deep thought. The question remains: Will you face these issues, or choose again to bury them?

Become a digital nomad is a journey inward

Yes, from afar being a digital nomad might seem easy and attractive, but those who truly dare to jump discover much more. It's not merely an adventure to a new location, but primarily a journey into yourself. Everything hidden deep within gains the space and time to rise to the surface.

The question isn't if you'll be confronted, but how you'll handle it when it happens. Do you dare to look inward, even when it's confronting? Do you dare to grow, even when it means letting go of things you never imagined losing? Remember: