The following post was written by Maria Selting, a Fintech professional and coliving enthusiast who has had many WiFi Tribe adventures! After you’re done reading about her essential digital nomad tips, be sure to check out her website where she offers fractional CMO services, tech PR services and marketing workshops.
When you spend a year living and working across different countries, each place leaves its mark. Not just because of the environment, but because of the routines you build, the people you meet, and the way your priorities start to change.
Traveling to a new country every few weeks teaches you things you wouldn’t learn staying in one place. You notice what helps you stay focused, how much flexibility matters, and where your limits are.
The digital nomad lifestyle isn’t about chasing the perfect setup. It’s about being practical, adaptable, and paying attention to what works. These five digital nomad tips came from a full year of living this way, and they still shape how I approach work and life today.
1. Digital Nomads can do more with less
At the beginning of my year as a digital nomad, I was still setting the alarm at the same time, believing I should still work regular office hours. After a while, I started realising that I could get the work done in half the time, if only I did the work at times when I felt inspired and energised. After a while, I started optimising my working hours based on how my brain worked the best, not after a schedule set by the norms in society.
One of the best digital nomad tips I learnt was that sometimes you can do more simply by taking a step back. Sometimes you can do more if you allow yourself some downtime and let the ideas come to you instead of chasing them. If you are busy ticking off your to-do list, you won’t find the mind-space to find smarter and more efficient ways of doing things. The digital nomad community is full of people who understand this. Fuelled by the launch of the book “4-Hour Work Week,” digital nomads across the world have started to optimise their schedules based on their brains, not on alarms.
This insight is more relevant now than ever during times of lockdowns. More people are forced to ask themselves how much they get done during a workday. If we all start optimising our schedules based on when our brains are the most efficient, I am a strong believer that not only will we increase our output, but also become happier, healthier and stronger.
2. Optimise for adaptability, not job security
Job security in a traditional sense is obsolete. It can be a secure and safe job – until something happens. Industries change faster than ever. The pandemic has shown that the world can change overnight.
The digital nomad community is full of people who have optimised their lives based on curiosity, creativity and adaptability. Staying on top of change and being quick to adapt to new technologies, new market dynamics, and trends is what will help you stay relevant. The digital nomad community is full of people who understand this and actively stay curious about what’s going on in the world around them. Fuelled by the coronavirus, adaptability has become key to survival in many industries. The ones who do successfully pivot might be exponentially rewarded.
There are so many paths. Startups, freelancing, digital nomad tours that double as skill-building bootcamps, and solo consulting. If you’re figuring out how to be a digital nomad, focus less on permanence and more on resilience.
3. Creativity turns a small salary into a big one
As far as digital nomad tips go, this is a big one.
The digital nomad community is full of people who have optimised their lives based on the standard of living, not based on salaries. The truth is, a low-income salary in a wealthy country can take you pretty far in a cheaper country. Or a well-paid job can be decreased to fewer hours if you move to a cheaper city. Or you can live in a castle at a fraction of the cost, if you decide to join a cooperative like Oasa, and buy it together with 50 other digital nomads.
Instead of asking yourself what you want and how much time you need to save up the money for it, ask yourself how you can get the same lifestyle today. It might involve a few changes in your life, such as a physical move; however, the reality is that the lifestyle you are dreaming about might be closer to reality than you think, if you just investigate it a bit further.
4. Never judge a country by its reputation
After visiting countries such as Colombia, India, Argentina and South Africa, I soon started to realise how affected we are by the media and how we see through their lenses. After a while, I decided that I would not base my travel decisions on reputations, because they are rarely the full story. Sure, problems do exist in the countries I’ve mentioned, but likewise, problems do exist in the US and my own home country, Sweden. And just like any other country, you have to be street smart and not walk alone in empty parks at night. It’s mostly the unknown that prevents us from visiting countries we are not used to travelling to. Surely if it does not tempt you to go to any of these countries, then don’t. There’s no reason to. But if you let reputation stop you, then you might be missing out.
The world is full of amazing people and countries. What used to be the most dangerous city in the world, Medellin, is now a thriving and bustling city full of great vibes and restaurants. What I learned about Colombia in school 20 years ago is no longer up to date.
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve seen. And the best hospitality I’ve ever experienced was in the cutest family-owned hotel in Jaipur, India. Thanks to digital nomads across the world who dare to explore new places, we can expand our view and enrich our experiences.
If you learn not to judge countries by their reputation, you’ll see that around the world, we are not so different after all. Digital nomad tips like this give you perspective before you make assumptions.
5. Home is where you feel you belong
For many people, home is a place – a city, a village or a house. But it doesn’t have to be a place. It doesn’t have to be where your family is. It can be wherever you feel like you belong. The beauty of remote coliving communities is that it is really the second family we form ourselves. Finding a community where people share the same values, passions and world view as you can truly be a comforting feeling of finding home.
For me, WiFi Tribe was that feeling of finding a home. It was a community full of people who value the same things as me and who understood me. It was a place to feel safe and to get inspired. A place to feel connected.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best digital nomad tips for beginners?
Start by optimizing your routine for productivity, not just hours. Focus on adaptability and flexibility, and explore affordable countries to stretch your budget while maintaining a good quality of life.
How do digital nomads earn money while traveling?
Digital nomads often earn money through freelancing, remote jobs, entrepreneurship, or consulting. Many combine multiple income streams to maintain flexibility and financial security.
Is it expensive to live as a digital nomad?
It doesn’t have to be. One of the key digital nomad tips is to choose lower-cost countries, share accommodations, and work remotely. With smart planning, you can live well on a modest budget.
What is the digital nomad lifestyle really like?
The lifestyle involves frequent travel, remote work, and a focus on building routines that suit your energy and work style. It’s also about finding community and learning to be flexible in new environments.
How can I get started as a digital nomad?
Start by securing remote work or freelance projects. Choose your first destination with good internet and a low cost of living, and use online communities or platforms like WiFi Tribe to find support.
