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Have any other nomads dealt with burnout while on the road? Iโm unsure whether itโs because of being on the road for so long, or work, or whatever. But the usual advice (talk it out with close friends, go somewhere to get away from it all for a while) is a lot more difficult to follow than if I were sticking in one place.
Anyone have any experience or advice on this?
Yup, I experience two types of burnout: work and travel.
On work, @Diginomad said it, +1
I tend to swing like a pendulum between two extremes: long almost sedentary periods of 4-18 months, to 6-12 months of constant movement.
A few years ago though I ditched traditional backpacking entirely and began moving slowly by bicycle and foot. I find I can keep moving much longer when moving slowly. Seeing all the inbetween places of the world keeps things fascinating and fresh.
For me, burnout is not really an issue, because I stop myself from getting there. However, I can feel the burnout coming when I work too hard or when I more around too often (or both).
A good help is both not moving around too much, in order to be efficient at work, and having a healthy amount of human contact.
In any case, working too much just because is a bad idea if one is burnout-prone.
For me, a key part of being a nomad is to discover the world, enjoy the moments, learn, make friends, etc. If thatโs getting eclipsed by tons of work, something is not right.
Keep in mind that there is substantial overhead to travel. This could be making you less productive (depending what youโre doing; my productivity is higher in some areas on the road, less in others). So, if youโre scrambling to get your work done and working longer hours than usual, this could easily lead to feeling burned out. Youโre working twice as hard! Itโs best to settle down somewhere for awhile where you can fall into a good rhythm with work/life balance.
I agree, a few weeks is pretty short. If you can measure in months rather than weeks. It helps to settle in a bit.
Thanks for all the great advice everyone 
@flowen: I look into mindfulness every so often and am usually pretty good at it (at least I think I am). Thatโs helped a lot actually.
@amy: I think itโs a mix of work and human contact. Work is a bit slow at the moment, and human contact on the road can (sometimes) be shallow and kind of short-term, especially since Iโve been a few weeks at most in any one place (quite often I need to travel for work-related events and hang around wherever that is until I need to move on again)
Perhaps having some kind of longer-term homebase I can return to would be good
@MatthiasEZeitler: I do love what I do, namely travel and working to get humanity of this lump of rock called Earth. Itโs just that the travel bit isnโt compatible with some other nice aspects of life, like hanging with old friends or stability. Guess I need to find a balance!
@wanderingdev I think it could be that Iโm moving about too much. 5 countries just in 2015 might be a little excessive. Iโve slowed it down a bit and have been in Prague for a few weeks which might be helping
Once again, major thanks to everyone who responded (or even just read the post). Even knowing thereโs a community out there who can relate to what Iโm going through (both with burnout and nomadism) helps a lot.
yea, maybe a little bit longer-term home base (even 2-3 months) might be good. If you can give it a shot, I say try it. Canโt hurt.
I know most people say that human contact on the road (especially for short term) can sometimes be shallow but Iโve been very lucky and met some nomads on here and it isnโt (or doesnโt) seem shallow to me. Some are gone and I still keep in touch w/them via the slack chat or FB. Some, I donโt talk to as much but I know that we have a bond and if/when I see them again, itโll just pick up where it left off.
Thereโs something to be said just sitting next to someone and working with them in complete silence for hours that just builds connectedness. At least for me - maybe it kills some of that loneliness that goes along with being on the road?
I was burned out before I started to travel, but I didnโt work while travelling. When I felt I would reach my limits, I would take a few steps back, but Iโve pushed myself like crazy.
Burnout is very serous but also very personal, we can tell you whatever but your situation is very specific to you or whatever โusual adviceโ is. Only you know the details. I would suggest to study mindfulness to find more inner peace (I liked the book โsearch inside yourselfโ from chade meng tan, designed the mindfulness courses for google) and if you really need specific things to talk about you can try an online therapy (skype). Pieter knows more about this this.
Is it more work? Or are you burnt out from traveling so much? So stick in one place. 
I donโt think that to be a nomad, you must be packing up every few weeks or month. I prefer to stay in a place for 2-4 months (depending on visa or if itโs state side) and I always tell myself, if you wanna leave earlier than planned - go. If you like a place and want to stay longer and stick to a routine more, stay! Thereโs no rules to how you wanna live your life so create your own or go with your gut and whims!
Find out what makes you happy and then pursue your deams. If you love what you do burnout is not a problem. Sounds mushy, but this is really the core of the issue.
How often do you move around? I get burnt out when I am moving around too much.
Hi everyone,
I would love to hear what you'd like me to build next on Nomad List, or any other product/feature feedback ideas you have.
It's been 6+ years now but I'm in this for the long term and with the boost remote work got last year it's even more exciting to work on Nomad List than ever.
Current roadmap is here: twitter.com/levelsio/status/1363204985488572417?s=20 and pbs.twimg.com/media/EusS9PKXEAUR8xp?format=jpg&name=4096x4096
The next products/features I have planned:
- ๐ Rebase: visa, residency and immigration services for remote workers
- ๐Courses: learn the steps how to go remote and travel/relocate
- ๐ Gov liaison: diplomacy services to the governments to help us lobby for nomads and for them to attract remote workers
Thanks a lot!
Hi guys,
After the Netherlands, the Bay Area, Colorado and being on the van life for 8 months, I am now in Sedona, AZ with a few other digital nomads. We are sharing a home here and are wondering if there are more like minded people in the area.
We do a bunch of hikes and campouts in the northern of Arizona. If you would like to connect with us, please do so :)
Val
Winter is coming and Iโm feeling the ache of travelling after being stuck in the same place since the Pandemic started. Wondering if anyone is travelling right now? If so, where are you currently located and how is the situation where you are?
Hello World!
I'm an experienced Digital Nomad and after being in Lockdown in Bangkok and Germany for one year I would like to team up with someone to visit a new place. Or just doing some exchange about what destinations would be interesting currently.
I take the virus seriously and still I think we can still be able to take our life in our own hands. So I'm aiming for cities/countries which are not in full lockdown, are not too complicated about immigration (I'm looking at you Thailand, your state quarantine costs like 1k USD and is basically a prison) and is also rather safe regarding the virus. I tend to stick for rather big cities and like culture. I'm not a beach or nature person. I'm pretty flexible about the money topic.
Does anyone ever travel to any Islands like Bermuda, Barbados, Barbuda and St. Kitts & Nevis?
Hi there, title says it all. Canadian nomad hoping to find the city/town in Portugal with great, consistent surfing, a solid coworking spot, and a fun group of young nomads. Please recommend!
I'm in need of a tax advisor who understands "our" typical situation. I'm all good on being legal on taxes at this point, but as I'm doing more investing and there's more compliance and KYC and such, it's getting more complicated to deal with this topic. Not living in my country of citizenship, company in another country, resident in yet another country, banking in a different country ... you know how it is, a pile of red flags.
Would be great to find a good tax advisor to sort things in a way that makes my situation as "explainable" and easily dealt with as possible. Any leads?
I will be traveling/working through Mexico with my dog February to April. My plan is to stay in Sayulita for about 2-4 weeks, then travel south along the cost.
Is there anyone who wants to share an airbnb apartment? I was thinking of renting a private villa, but because these are large and have multiple rooms, I was wondering if there are fellow nomads wanting to share? Iโm open to other locations as well (Puerto Vallerta, Oaxaca, and everything in between these two locations.
Hi, I've got a question to anyone who had experience with the digital nomad lifestyle. I'm 24, I'm in my last year of university doing computer science, got 3 years of experience mostly doing web development.
I never liked the idea of staying in one place, getting a job and growing roots - hence the will to take the opportunity and travel the world. My main question is โ how do I go about it? Are there any useful resources I could look into?
How do I go about insurance and such once I decide to move. I currently live in Switzerland and do freelance work for one company. It's not a lot, since my studies don't allow me to pick up a full time job, but it allows me to cover simple expenses.
I'd be happy to get some insight into how things work and also happy to network with anyone interested.
Hi guys ! hope you are doing well.
I would love to get your feedback regarding the best insurance for digital nomads. i'm traveling around Asia since 1 year and for next 4 or 5 years. Would love to buy an insurance to cover especially :
- health
- laptop, phone ...
- Flights
I'm thinking about taking a sailing (yachting) course in the Mediterranean Sea this coming September or October. Thus far from my research, it seems that most courses are held in locations with not many digital nomads. My thinking is that it would be more fun to go to a place with like-minded people. Therefore, I'm wondering if anyone else is interested in taking a sailing course in the Mediterranean this fall? If not, do you know a location that offers good sailing courses, where there is also many digital nomads / nomad infrastructure?
Hoping to see all the cool stuff people are working on while they live an extraordinary life.
Anyone know of any groups or resources for Ph.D. students working on dissertation while living as a digital nomad? I know there are several virtual writing groups around, but wondered if there were any specifically for digital nomads, particularly those who are dissertating.
Thanks!
Hey Nomads!
Iโm looking for an international health insurance (no travel insurance) for my nomadic life. It should cover the basic services and at least be accepted in the EU (itโs ok if itโs not accepted in the US as Iโm aware they rarely are). Nice to have: enter into a contract online. Anyone got a good experience or a recommendation?
Thanks in advance!
I have finally saved enough money to start investing. What company gives good, diversified access to stock, ETFs and mutual funds? Does it make sense to use company like Vanguard or Fidelity for that? Iโm a EU/Poland citizen, how would I transfer my money back and forth without incurring significant fees?
Iโm a big believer in co-living but Iโm finding hard to find all the options available in different cities.
I have found the major players like Roam, The Collective, and WeLive but havenโt found many others.
Has anyone seen a list or should I start making one?
Hello digital nomad!
I dream of being an independent digital nomad. But it feels very elusive & unattainable with my success rate. In full disclosure, whilst I have dreamed about making money online since high school; I have not earned a single cent making money online. $0, nada, zilch!! On the contrary, I have spent a lot of time & money on books, podcasts. Even though I have spent a lot of time reading/listening to others, I do not have anything to show for it!
I have made attempts in the past to start an online business, but these fizzle out quite quickly when I do not see traction especially when the goal I have set myself is too high.
Instead of reaching for the ultimate nomadic lifestyle goal, I want to start much smaller. Really small! I am simply looking to make $50 profit per month from a new online business. Thatโs it.
I need some advice from you please!
Is $50 profit too low? How long did it take you to earn $50 profit per month?
What is a good way of achieving this goal?
Thanks
Mark
aka the $0 online business entrepreneur
Will be in Osaka this April/May and was curious to discover interesting groups/events.
I had a look at FB + Meetup but there doesnโt seem to be much. Any advice on where to look?
Hello everyone! Iโm new here and probably this is a very newbie question, but it doesnโt leave my head.
How do you, nomads, pay your taxes? I mean, if youโre constantly traveling, how are you going to pay taxes for a certain country if you are going to stay there a short period of time?
Or do you return to your โoriginal countryโ and then pay them?
By the way, this forum has very nice cool formatting features!
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