Digital Nomads And The Book That Changed The World

Back in 1997 Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners released a book called Digital Nomad. This book describes how technology allows for the return of societies to a nomadic lifestyle.

This was a total game-changer. The Internet was fairly new back then and only became a commercial global network in the 1990s. Prior to that, it was virtually impossible to travel and work, unless you were either a sales rep or you worked in the travel industry.

However, it was the book “The 4 hr Work Week by Tim Ferris that really caused the biggest explosion in Digital Noamds. Prior to then, we treated being a digital nomad a bit like Roger Bannister and the four-minute mile. Until Roger Bannister ran a mile in 4 minutes, many had tried but none had succeeded, once the 4 minute-mile had been done by Bannister, many people went on to do it.

This was the same with being a Digital Nomad, prior to Tim Ferris’s book release, there were not that many people attempting to do it, once Tim’s book had been released in 2007, this inspired many more people to dip their toe in the digital travel lifestyle.

Digital Nomads – Living The Life

So who are these digital nomads and how many people are living this life?

The number of digital nomads with a traditional job increased by 42% in 2021, growing from an estimated 6.3 million in 2020 to 10.2 million in 2021. Because of the pandemic of 20/21, a lot more people decided that town life and indeed the idea of living in one place was no longer for them.

However, there are many more people who have an online business, and providing that they have an internet connection can carry out their business from any town, city or country. Governments around the world are keen to roll out more connectivity to the internet as having the internet is a great boost to education.

In the USA, it has always been traditional for people to live a life on the road, taking their RV’s and families with them on the road. We all only live once (as far as we know), being stuck in the same place, town or even country for life is unappealing to many.

Digital Nomadic Lifestyle – The Pitfalls

The average age of a digital nomad is currently 32, however, there are many millennials taking up the challenge, and there are also people over 60 finally letting go and living a life of travel.

So what are the pitfalls?

The first pitfall is the lack of community. I’m talking friends and family here. Yes, it’s not too hard to make new friends if you are the friendly type, but sometimes you just can’t beat the pals you have back home and the family.

The second pitfall which is one I encountered whilst travelling around the UK for 3 months in 2017 was having your own bed and front door (yes, you also want the rest of the house too ).

Living in B&B’s, hotels and Air BnB’s for three months was a challenge for me, and you may get a little homesick after a while. If that doesn’t bother you then the Digital Nomad lifestyle could be a winner for you.

The third pitfall I see is maybe missing your routine. Travelling doesn’t always allow for us to do the regular things we do at home. However, most people follow a digital nomad life to get rid of routine. Again, if this is you travelling while you work could be a winner.

I know many authors who are living in Bali, China and Thailand who are having a whale of a time. Travel is a wonderful way of life, it really does open the eyes up to how others live and introduces us to different cultures and lifestyles.

How Did Tim Ferris’s Book Change The World?.

I think it made it all sound possible. Since that book was published I’ve seen whole families take to the road, online work colleagues living in a different country every month and friends shaking off the shackles of conformity and opening up their horizons.

Once people see others doing it, they think “why not me”?

Long may it last. Freedom is a very attractive commodity, it’s up there with money and oxygen, maybe it’s time to open up your lungs and breathe in a different, more healthy lifestyle?.

I hope you liked this post. If you did, please do share it and leave a comment below. Maybe you are a digital nomad, or maybe you are thinking of becoming one, what are your thoughts?. Comment below.

Have a great day.

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