The Loneliness of the Digital Nomad Life

Hey there,

If you’re like me, you’ve probably dreamt of the digital nomad lifestyle.

It means traveling the world, working from exotic places, and having the freedom to explore new cultures.

But there’s a side to this lifestyle that doesn’t get talked about enough: loneliness.

Many digital nomads feel lonely. With the frequent moving around, it can be hard to make lasting connections.

These new places may be exciting, but they can mask the isolation that comes from not having a stable social network.

Don't worry, I’ve felt it too.

There have been many times when I’ve found myself in a beautiful location, surrounded by people...

and feeling completely alone. It’s the beauty of a paradox, right?

But here’s the thing—loneliness doesn’t have to be a forever feeling.

And you shouldn’t let these natural feelings overshadow the opportunity you have before you.

Because there are ways to overcome these feelings and build meaningful connections, no matter where you are in the world.

Here are a few of my favorite strategies to use:

1. Join Local and Online Communities

One of the best ways to combat loneliness is to find your tribe.

Look for local meetups, coworking spaces, or digital nomad groups in the areas you’re visiting. (Hint: There are probably a lot!)

Alternatively, online communities can be very helpful.

You can use places like Facebook, LinkedIn, Discord, Nomad List, etc. to find groups and communities with similar interests.

For example: Here in Barcelona, I play spikeball on the beach with a ton of other digital nomads and remote workers from all over the world. They play every Friday and Sunday afternoon, and everyone is incredibly welcoming.
(I don’t go every week but the option is always there!!)

I guarantee there are more ways to connect with other digital nomads than you can imagine, you've just got to go looking.

2. Embrace the Local Culture

Diving deep into the local culture to build up a sense of connection and belonging.

Try learning the local language, attending cultural events, and interacting with the locals when you get the chance.

Not only does this make your travels more memorable, but it also helps you feel less like an outsider.

Volunteering is another great way to meet people and give back to the community.

I've personally:

➢ Taught English to school kids in Guatemala.
➢ Volunteered at a local hostel in Indonesia.
➢ Helped with a beach clean-up in Thailand.

These opportunities are everywhere, and they're a lot of fun to boot!

3. Establish a Routine

In the digital nomad space, people seem to underestimate stability and normalcy.

But both can help ease loneliness by a huge amount.

Establish regular working hours, exercise, and hobbies.

Some people are against the term “Work-Life Balance” but I don’t give a shit.

You need to find some sort of balance between your personal life and your work to feel your best.

Bonus tip: It can help to visit the same coffee shops or coworking spaces.

This allows you to become a familiar face and potentially build relationships there as well.

4. Take Care of Your Mental Health

We all know that loneliness can take a toll on your mental health.

So, it’s important to take care of yourself.

Obviously, there are countless ways to do this, but here are some of the best:

➢ Meditate.
➢ Get exercise.
➢ Drink lots of water.
➢ Eat healthier foods.
➢ Write in your journal.
➢ Practice mindfulness.
➢ Or, seek professional help if needed.

5. Travel Slower

Instead of hopping from one place to another every few weeks, consider slow travel.

Staying in one place for a long time helps you build those deep connections.

And it means that you can create a more stable routine.

Not to mention, it also allows you to truly get to know a place and its people...

Which is possibly the most important part of travel!

Loneliness is a natural part of the digital nomad lifestyle, but it doesn’t have to define your experience.

➢ Be intentional.

➢ Build connections.

➢ Embrace local cultures.

➢ Take care of your mental health.

Do these things, and you can create a fulfilling life on the road.

Remember, it’s okay to feel lonely sometimes.

But don’t let it go too far and overshadow this incredible experience you have in the palm of your hand!

📌 P.S. - I have been working on a little something in the background with a friend of mine going in-depth on this very subject…

She is an NLP Certified Mindset Coach and together, we’ve written a resource to help ensure that digital nomads and remote workers get the absolute most out of this beautiful experience of working online.

Keep a lookout for it, as it will be dropping soon!

Until next week,

Your friend from the wilderness,

Michael “Never Truly Alone” Mitchell