Digital Nomad Day: 6 Benefits Of The Alternative Lifestyle

Digital Nomad Day, observed on Aug. 8 each year, celebrates those who have found a way to work more freely without the constraints of office walls.

Even before the pandemic struck, there was already an increase in people doing remote work. Except instead of being stuck at home, they found a way to make a living while on the road and even seeing the world. People who embrace this "alternative lifestyle" are called digital nomads.

There were about 4.8 million digital nomads in 2018, and this tripled to a whopping 15.5 million people by 2021, according to National Today. These individuals are not limited to "independent workers," the outlet noted, as 66% of them are actually traditional employees who simply opt to work remotely.

To celebrate these wandering workers, Rootless Living Magazine created Digital Nomad Day in 2020. Moreover, the publication has designated the entire month of August as Digital Nomad Month.

"I'm not sure what generation said it was ok to work 40-60 hours a week, get two weeks of vacation a year, and not be able to afford to go anywhere," Demian Ross of Rootless Living said. "We created Digital Nomad Day to celebrate nomads who are already living this alternative lifestyle and to inspire those millions who are planning their move to it. Living in a 'van down by the river' is no longer a punchline but life goals for many and Rootless Living will be there to help Digital Nomads get started and connect with one another along the way."

Digital nomads everywhere are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using #DigitalNomadDay. They can share their special moments with the community or even inspire others to follow suit.

For those who are interested in this alternative lifestyle, let's look at some of the benefits of being a digital nomad. (Courtesy: Remote Bliss and Digital Nomad Soul)

Travel

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of being a digital nomad is the prospect of travel. Because a digital nomad is not tied up to an office building, they can still continue their work while being on the road, whether they're moving from one place to another, or simply staying at a distant place for the time being.

More Customized Work Hours

While some digital nomad hours may still have set work hours, in many cases, their work hours are more flexible. Since people tend to be productive at different times of the day — with some being most productive in the early morning and others late at night — a nomadic lifestyle may help them work at their most productive hours while even squeezing in some activities that they enjoy. For instance, they can engage in an hour of yoga in the afternoon or enjoy a longer lunch date with friends.

No Need for Business Attire

People already had a taste of this benefit during remote work due to the pandemic, with some wearing only shorts and flip-flops with their upper business attire. As a digital nomad, you may be working at a cafe, a coworking space or even a restaurant, so you likely won't need to prepare a full business attire anymore.

No More Commute

While some digital nomads still go to their preferred workspace, generally, not having to go to the office at a set hour means not having to join the often-stressful rush hour commute anymore. This could give digital nomads a little more time to sleep in before work, and perhaps even a little more savings from their usual transportation costs.

More Motivation and Inspiration

Being required to work in an office isn't everyone's cup of tea, and it can sometimes stifle motivation and even creativity. Since digital nomads can work at any location they prefer, they can work at a place that's more conducive to their productivity and motivation, whether that's at a park close to their home or some destination in a different country.

Opportunity to Become a Minimalist

For some digital nomads, working while being on the move teaches them to be less attached to material possessions. For those who like to move around a lot, in particular, having fewer things means having more freedom to travel to a new place and meet new people. Not only is this more space and money saving, it can also help instill the value of experiences over material things.