Instagram and other social media platforms are flooded with photos of digital nomads sipping cocktails in infinity pools while watching orange sunsets in some dream paradise in Southeast Asian countries. But is it always as perfect as it looks? Some digital nomads have raised their voices to say: no, it isn’t.
Such is the case of Pieter Levels, a “successful” digital nomad who has lived in more than 40 countries and 150 cities worldwide. He has now decided to share his not-so-glamourous experience as a location-independent worker.
The creator of more than 40 start-ups (some more successful than others, but those the ones that are, make thousands of dollars), shared in a recent podcast with Lex Fridman that, during his early years as a digital nomad, he suffered recurrent episodes of depression and alienation. That still happens but not that frequently.
Another frequent feeling he battled was the sensation of being “a loser,” a belief justified by the $500 he used to earn per month.
“The memories of this kind of vagabond, individualistic, solitary life are romantic,” says Levels, “but the fact is, it didn’t make me happy.”
“You’re constantly moving, jumping from one city to another. You don’t have a home anymore. You feel uprooted,” he explains.
Levels also points out that there’s “something” about the lack of structure and rules, and the excess of freedom that prevents you from enjoying experiences the way they’re meant to be.
It’s “psychologically exhausting. Anything is possible. You can go anywhere. And everyone’s like, ‘Oh, that must be great! Your freedom. You must be so happy,'” Levels says. “And it’s quite the opposite. I don’t think that makes you happy; I think limitations probably make you happier.”
Stating that limitations make you happier may sound controversial, especially coming from a successful, self-made software developer whose most famous start-up, Nomad List, makes him over $48,000 a month. And we’re not even counting the other 39!
However, this is a serious issue. While it’s rare (if not impossible) to find a photo on Instagram of a digital nomad stuck in bed due to depression and homesickness, a growing number of remote workers have taken to forums like Reddit to share their feelings of loneliness and despair.
“[My unpopular opinion about digital nomadism is] that a whole bunch of us are profoundly lonely and unhappy, due to social connections being shallow at best, and life in general feeling meaningless. They keep chasing the next party or “hotspot” thinking that this time, it’ll be better. But it doesn’t get better. It’s more of the same with different scenery,” a Reddit user wrote.
Another user has a solution to address some of these issues, at least, partially.
“Digital nomads are also tourists. The sooner you accept that and stop fighting it, because there is no issue with being a tourist, the sooner you get to have a lot of fun. And you stop being an elitist twat.”
Another user says that digital nomadism is full of ups and downs and that life on the go has been “idealized in the media for clickbait (e.g., ‘Look at these people traveling the world while running their business, it’s amazing!’).” However, he makes it clear that portraying this lifestyle as a “big depressing journey” is a highly “false” view.
What Does Psychology Say about the Darkest Side of Digital Nomadism?
Psychologists have spotted several common challenges associated with this new lifestyle, often referring to them as the “dark side” of digital nomads.
- Loneliness and Isolation: According to clinical reports, many digital nomads experience feelings of loneliness and isolation due to the lack of a close and stable support system.
- Burnout and Dissatisfaction with Work-Life Balance: It’s hard to be constantly on the road and remain productive at the same time. Many can’t make it, leading to feelings of guilt.
- Lack of Meaningful Interpersonal Relationships: Maintaining stable romantic relationships can be particularly challenging for digital nomads due to their lack of a permanent home. Not many can travel with their romantic partners.
These insights underscore the importance of properly addressing the psychological challenges of this lifestyle, which is massively growing according to recent statistics.
As Levels points out, it’s not just about “talking” about depression. “It’s more like, ‘Let’s do something’ about it.”