9 tips to help you balance your nomadic lifestyle

Looking for tips in order to maintain a good work-travel balance as a digital nomad? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll be showing you tips in order to get your work done and at the same time travel around and maintain your social life.

As a digital nomad, we love traveling and gaining new experiences. Therefore, don’t let work get in your way. Working online or building your business is very important but it shouldn’t take all of your time.

Let’s start by mentioning why finding a work-travel balance is not as easy as you might think.

Why balancing work and travel as a digital nomad is not easy

Having a balanced life as a digital nomad is not an easy task. Many people might think that digital nomads barely work and are always at the beach or hiking but that’s certainly not the case here.

When you’re a digital nomad, you’re also your own boss. This means that you have to make your own hours, your own schedule, your own workflow, give yourself instructions, and overall do everything by yourself. Mastering this skill takes a lot of time and discipline.

Have you ever felt bored and unwilling to hop on your computer? This is very normal among digital nomads because there are many distractions around you and the easiest option is to procrastinate. If you do so, you’ll probably go out of your schedule and then work twice as hard to get back in line.

Let’s not forget about the fact that your schedule needs constant changes. You may have to change it every single day in order to fit all occasions.

There are many things you must do in order to have a balance between work and travel as a digital nomad. You also must have the right mindset in order to thrive and have fun while doing so.

Fortunately, we’ve gathered the most important and helpful tips for balancing work and travel. They helped us in the past so they can definitely do the same for you.

Tips for a good work-travel balance

1. Make a schedule

Following a schedule as a digital nomad can be challenging sometimes. Many of us might not want to follow a schedule and prefer a more free and simple way of living. Let us say that when you make a schedule, your work and travel balance is improving a lot.

You’re not working a 9-5 so there’s no reason for you to feel guilty about a simple yet beneficial weekly schedule. You should plan your next week before it starts… Don’t just schedule your work, schedule your free time as well.

You will need a plan if you’re going to balance everything while being your own boss and traveling the world. Keep trying until you find something that perfectly fits your needs and desires and stick to it.

2. Take a day off (or two)

Now this is subjective but it does appeal to all cases. You need at least one day off every week. You can’t be working every day because you’ll get burned out very quickly. Plus, the reason you went out there is to explore the world… Not live in front of the screen all day.

Therefore, taking a day off every week should be a priority. If your schedule allows it, take more than one day off. However, when that day off comes, make sure to live it to the fullest. Explore places, meet new people, eat delicious food, and make new experiences.

And this leads us to the next tip…

3. Don’t forget about your social life

This is crucial whether you’re traveling alone or with a partner. You should make time for your friends and the people around you. Don’t forget your social life and get caught up in all this work you must do.

If your social cycle mainly consists of digital nomads, you should talk with your buddies and find a time of the week when you can all hang out together and have fun. Oh and don’t forget about co-working spaces and cafes. You can all be together and support each other while working.

If anyone around you can help with your work, don’t hesitate to ask for their contribution. Sharing responsibilities is a great way to get things done while spending some quality time with the people you like.

4. Don’t work in bed

If you associate your bed with work, having a balance gets more difficult. Your bedroom should only be used for resting, not working! Work at your desk or office and that way you’ll be more productive and spend less time on work.

If you’re the one checking all your emails, once you wake up you will most likely grab your phone and start checking anything new. That can lead to procrastination and as we mentioned before… associating bed with work.

Consider using an app blocker for all your email apps from your phone.

5. Remember diet and exercising

Becoming a digital nomad means sacrificing a stable home, right? Even though that’s correct, it shouldn’t be the case for other things like diet and exercise.

We suggest that you make diet and exercise a priority. With a good and healthy diet, you will have more energy and you’ll also feel much better. The same goes for exercising… your body and soul will feel better and be ready for anything life throws at you.

6. Use tools and apps

There are many online tools and apps that can help with balancing your work and travel life. You can use tools for project management, time management, team management, and more. We can’t really know what you need so you should go on the hunt for the best apps and tools that fit your needs.

As a digital nomad, you know the power of the internet so why not use it to your benefit? Trust us, you’ll be amazed by the results…

7. Travel slowly

if you’ve ever tried out constant traveling, you will know that it’s really exhausting and it leaves no time for work and fun. You’re always trying to book the next flight or plan the next road trip and after a while it gets tedious.

Instead of doing that, many digital nomads decide to stay somewhere for a few weeks or months before moving on to their next location. By doing so, they have time to explore their surroundings and meet new people. Plus, they’re more productive and quick when working which leads to a balanced work-travel nomadic life.

8. Have a separate working space

This goes back to the “don’t work in bed tip” but it’s a little different. You shouldn’t work in bed. In fact, you shouldn’t work anywhere else than your designated working space.

You can work at your office, a co-working space, a cafe, or anything else that you think works for you.

However, make sure that it’s a place where you only go for work and nothing else. That way, you’ll minimize procrastination and time-wasting activities.

9. Have a good morning routine

Having a good morning routine is critical for your motivation and enthusiasm. Find a routine that fits your preferences. It doesn’t have to be long or anything complex. Just something that you like and you’re able to do consistently.

For many, this routine contains meditation, exercising, book reading, cycling, swimming, etc. I’m sure you’ll find something great for you too.

Having a great work-travel balance can benefit you in many ways. However, for most digital nomads, achieving this balance is easier said than done. By following the above-mentioned tips, you can get on the right path and start balancing your nomadic lifestyle. It might be difficult but it’s not impossible!