Why I'm Moving Away From the Digital Nomad Label
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After a decade in the remote work space and countless conversations about digital nomad life, I've come to a realisation: the term 'digital nomad' no longer fits my vision of location independence. Here's my honest take on why I'm choosing a different path, and what that means for the future of remote work.
My Journey into Remote Work
My path into the remote work world wasn't the typical 'quit your 9-to-5 and travel the world' story you often hear. It started in Brazil during my study abroad year, where I received a grant to create content about my experience. On a chilly winter day, after discovering people making money as content creators (though we didn't call them that back then), I boldly told a friend, 'I'm going to create a career out of social media.' When she asked how, I had no idea - but that blog became the foundation of my career.
Fast forward through various communications roles in London, where I gradually incorporated remote work into my contracts. I was lucky to have managers who understood when our office WiFi was rubbish and let me work from home or different spaces. This was during the rise of the 'girlboss' era, when female entrepreneur spaces were popping up everywhere, introducing me to a world of innovative remote professionals I never knew existed.
The Evolution of Digital Nomad Culture in 2024
The term 'digital nomad' has undergone an interesting transformation. What started as a simple description for location-independent professionals has evolved into something that, for me, no longer captures the nuance of remote work in 2024.
Like when the term 'influencer' changed. It used to describe anyone with community influence, from local teachers to church newsletter editors. Now it's more about social media following. I've watched 'digital nomad' undergo a similar transformation, and I'm not sure the current interpretation aligns with what many of us are actually seeking from location independence.
Why Labels Matter in the Remote Work Space
Even the much-discussed 'digital nomad visas' seem to be targeting a different demographic than what we typically associate with digital nomads today. These visas are designed for slow travellers and remote workers who want to properly get to know a place - not necessarily for those seeking the modern equivalent of backpacking with a laptop.
For me, it's always been about:
Building meaningful connections in each place
Having the flexibility to work on my own terms
Creating a sustainable lifestyle that supports both work and wellbeing
Maintaining personal and professional growth
Building a Sustainable Remote Lifestyle
After my recent experience of fast-travelling through several countries in three months (and getting poorly multiple times), I've learnt some crucial lessons about sustainable remote work:
What Actually Matters
Building community in real life, not just online
Maintaining health and wellness routines
Having a stable space for content creation
Being able to develop long-term professional relationships
Finding Your Balance
The key isn't choosing between being completely nomadic or completely settled - it's creating a lifestyle that works for you. This might mean:
Having a home base with the freedom to travel
Building a local community whilst maintaining global connections
Creating routines that support both productivity and adventure
What's Next for Location Independence
The conversation is shifting from 'how to become a digital nomad' to 'how to build a sustainable remote life.' As someone who's been in this space for over a decade, I'm quite excited about this evolution. It's not about abandoning the freedom of remote work - it's about making it sustainable long-term.
FAQs About Remote Work Identity
Q: Does being location independent mean I have to travel constantly? A: Not at all! The beauty of remote work is that you can choose your own adventure. Whether that means slow travel, having a home base, or anything in between.
Q: How do you maintain community whilst working remotely? A: It's about being intentional with both online and offline connections. I've found that having a home base whilst maintaining the freedom to travel helps create the best of both worlds.
Q: What's the difference between a digital nomad and a remote worker? A: Whilst these terms often overlap, being a remote worker simply means you can work from anywhere - it doesn't necessarily mean you have to travel constantly.
Final Thoughts
The remote life was always about building a life of my dreams - not about fitting into someone else's definition of success. It was about choosing my own path and my own challenges. As we move forward in 2025, I'm quite excited to continue exploring what sustainable remote work means, just with a bit more stability and a lot more intention.
Are you on a similar journey of redefining your remote work identity? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Han x
