One of the more noticeable side effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has been an upsurge in remote working. Now that everyone’s realised that it’s possible to do a day’s work from behind a laptop screen, they find themselves suddenly empowered to work from home on a long-term basis.
But if you’re working from home, then what is there to stop you from working from a bed and breakfast, or a hotel room? All of a sudden, a whole new kind of professional life seems possible: that of a digital nomad.
If all of this sounds appealing, then you might consider making the switch to this kind of work. To get the best from it, however, it’s worth doing a little bit of preparation.
Have work lined up before you go
The idea of dropping everything and jumping on a plane might seem romantic – but it’s a high-risk approach. A better strategy might be to make sure that you aren’t going to take anyone by surprise. If you’re salaried, then apprise your employers of your plans. If you’re freelance, do the same with your clients.
Get yourself covered
Travel can throw up a whole range of risks. If you’re earning a living while travelling, then these risks might be all the greater, as they might endanger your ability to work. As such, it’s worth not only saving up a generous buffer of cash to see you through lean periods, but to invest in the right insurance. If you’re travelling by road, this might mean temporary car insurance for long journeys. You might also make sure that high-value devices, like phones and laptops, are covered.
Make a rough plan
Over-planning can suck a little bit of the joy and spontaneity out of your new lifestyle. But still, you’ll want a vague idea of where you’re going, and how long you’ll be staying for. Research which places already have communities of digital nomads, and see if you can learn from their experiences.
Connect with locals and expats
If you’re going to enjoy a fulfilling life on the road, then you’ll want to make sure that you can form healthy social bonds with the people you meet along the way. If you’re going to be staying in a new community for any length of time, make sure that you take your social life seriously. Your mental health might well depend on it!
