So what’s driving this trend? Here are five reasons millennials have turned to digital nomadism.
If you're a Millennial, chances are good that you've at least considered the idea of becoming a digital nomad. And it's no wonder why; there are plenty of reasons to love the digital nomad lifestyle just as much as Richard Yu does.
There’s no doubt that millennials have become a generation of digital nomads. Pew Research Center reports that as of 2017, nearly one-third of American adults aged 18 to 29 are self-employed. And according to a study by UpWork and Freelancer Union, the number of people working remotely has increased by 140 percent in the past five years. So what’s driving this trend? Here are five reasons millennials have turned to digital nomadism.
What is a digital nomad
First things first: what exactly is a digital nomad? A digital nomad uses technology to make a living and often does so while traveling. This can include everything from running a business online to being a freelance writer or graphic designer. You can be a digital nomad if you can do your work from anywhere with an internet connection.
Understanding location independence
One of the biggest reasons that Millennials have embraced digital nomadism, says Richard Yu, is because of the concept of location independence. With a traditional job, you're tied to one place; if you want to move, you must find a new job in your new location. But when your work is location-independent, you can pick up and move whenever you want without worrying about finding a new job. For many people, this is an incredibly appealing proposition.
Of course, location independence is about more than just being able to travel whenever you want. It's also about having the freedom to live wherever you want. And for Millennials who are used to living in expensive cities like New York or San Francisco, the idea of being able to live in a cheaper, more affordable location is very appealing.
The appeal of flexibility
Another big appeal of the digital nomad lifestyle for Millennials is its flexibility. When you're a digital nomad, you're in control of your own schedule; if you want to take a week off to go on vacation, you can do that. If you want to work nights to spend your days exploring your new location, you can do that too. With a traditional job, you usually have to work set hours and take vacation time when offered to you; as a digital nomad, the world is your office.
The opportunity to make a real difference
Finally, many Millennials have embraced digital nomadism because they see it as an opportunity to make a real difference in the world. When you're working for yourself, you can work on projects that you're passionate about and believe in. And when you're location-independent, you can work on projects that are based in different parts of the world, which gives you the chance to have a real impact on people's lives.
Five reasons millennials have become digital nomads
Millennials have turned to digital nomadism for various reasons, including the opportunity to be location-independent, the flexibility to work on their schedule, and the chance to make a real difference in the world.
1. You can make a great living without sacrificing your lifestyle
Thanks to the internet, it's now possible to make a great living without sacrificing your lifestyle. You can work from anywhere in the world, as long as you have a computer and an internet connection. That means you can travel to any destination you want, whether it's for business or pleasure, and still make money. Best of all, you won't have to deal with the soul-crushing commute or drudgery of a 9-to-5 job.
2. You're not tied down to one location
If you get antsy staying in one place for too long, digital nomadism is definitely for you. As a digital nomad, you're not tied down to one location; you can travel wherever and whenever you want. That means you can experience all the world's different cultures without uprooting your life every time you want to move somewhere new.
3. You don't have to spend a fortune on travel
Thanks to websites like Airbnb and Couchsurfing, it's now possible to travel on a very tight budget. That means you can experience all kinds of different places without breaking the bank. Plus, many digital nomads find that they save money by living a more minimalist lifestyle; since they're not tied down to one location, they don't need to own (and pay for) as much stuff.
4. Work/life balance is built into the lifestyle
When you're a digital nomad, your work life and personal life are naturally integrated; since you're working from wherever you happen to be living, there's no need to take time out of your day for commuting or other work-related activities. That leaves more time for exploring your new surroundings, making friends in your local community, and just enjoying life in general.
5. It's easier than ever before to get started
One of the best things about the digital nomad lifestyle is that it's easier than ever before to get started. Unlike previous generations of entrepreneurs, millennials don't need expensive office space or staff; all they need is a laptop and an internet connection. And with so many resources available online, it's easy to learn everything you need to know about running a successful business from anywhere in the world.
Final thoughts
As you can see, there are many reasons why millennials have become digital nomads. The lifestyle offers a lot of flexibility and freedom, which is appealing to young people who want to make their own choices about their lives. Additionally, the internet has made it possible for people to make a great living without having to be tied down to one location. And finally, the work/life balance that comes with being a digital nomad is hard to beat. If you're considering switching to digital nomadism, these are the top reasons you should go for it.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
