Mindset, Online Business

How to Become a Digital Nomad

June 16, 2025
By itssophiebiggerstaff.com

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The realities of becoming a digital nomad, remote work, and how to set yourself up for success

If you’ve ever caught yourself daydreaming about working from next to the beach or a cute and cosy café in a new city, then the digital nomad lifestyle might be calling you. It was certainly calling me, and I’ve been living this lifestyle now since 2021, which is why I feel now is a good time to share with you some realistic thoughts about the digital nomad lifestyle, and break down how you can become a digital nomad if you’ve got the itch to leave your current life behind.

Becoming a digital nomad is not just about packing your bags and heading to Bali. It’s about creating a level of freedom for yourself and a lifestyle setup that works for you – your skills, your desires, and your finances.

This post is a no-fluff, real-talk guide based on my four years of nomad life (and over a decade of travel experience). Whether you’re just curious about what a digital nomad is or seriously considering this lifestyle for yourself, here’s everything you need to know.

What is a digital nomad, really?

Let’s clear up the confusion: What is a digital nomad? It’s someone who works entirely online and uses that flexibility to live or travel in different places. Simple as that.

You could be:

A remote employee for a company
A freelancer juggling client projects
A business owner earning money through your own products or services

In each case, the common thread is the ability to work remotely and travel freely – as long as there’s decent Wi-Fi.

But being a digital nomad is more than just working on your laptop from paradise. It’s about creating a life that supports your mental health, your goals, and your freedom. For me, that’s meant finding places where I feel like the best version of myself – and spoiler: it’s not the UK.

So, how to become a Digital Nomad?

I break this down in more detail over on my podcast The Remote CEO Life, which you can listen to here, but in the meantime here’s a few practical tips to get you started.

1. Start with your why (and be honest about what you want)

Becoming a digital nomad doesn’t mean you’re “running away” from your current life… You’re simply exploring other lifestyle options that might work better for you.

One of the most common questions I get is: “What are you running from?” I find it funny, honestly, because it assumes that choosing a different lifestyle must come from fear. But for me (and many others), it’s the opposite. I’m choosing to live in a way that supports my well-being – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

If you’re thinking about how to become a digital nomad, start by asking yourself:

Why do I want this lifestyle?
What does freedom look like to me?
What kind of environment helps me thrive?

Your answers will guide everything else.

2. Build your financial foundation before you fly

The truth is, you don’t need to start your own business to achieve this lifestyle (many don’t, as running a business whilst traveling is actually quite hard) – but either way, you will likely need a solid income plan.

Most digital nomads fall into one of these three categories:

Remote worker – You have a job, but you can work from anywhere.
Freelancer – You take on client projects, often across different time zones.
Online business owner – You create and sell your own products/services independently.

If you’re going the business route (which I personally would recommend if you’re looking for the ultimate freedom), my best advice to you would be to set it up FIRST (aka before you go!).

I didn’t become a full-time nomad until about 18 months after launching my own online business. I spent those first 18 months building systems, creating income streams, and preparing for this new lifestyle I wanted.

That way, when I did eventually leave the UK, I wasn’t panicking about how I’d pay my rent or book my next flight, and my business was already established enough which allowed me to take more time to enjoy the place I was in.

Trust me – having your finances and business/job sorted before you leave is going to make everything else so much easier.

👉 Want to try launching your own thing so you can live the nomad life? But, not sure what business to start? Take my Freedom Seekers Quiz to find the best online business model based on your strengths, passions, and lifestyle desires.

3. Choose the best places for digital nomads based on your lifestyle

Not every “top nomad spot” will be right for you. Think about how you want to live, and match your location accordingly.

Some people love the beach. Others want city life, mountain retreats, or full-on jungle vibes. When thinking about the best places for digital nomads, it’s a good idea to ask yourself:

Do I want a strong entrepreneurial or wellness community?
What’s my monthly budget?
Do I want to be close to Europe, Asia, or Latin America?
What do I want my day-to-day life to look like?

This is going to give you a better insight into which type of places you’re going to enjoy living nomadically in the most and set you up for success when you get there.

A little side note: I’ve lost count of the number of nomads I’ve met who weren’t enjoying their experience because they chose a place that didn’t work for the lifestyle they wanted to live. For example, don’t get on a one-way flight to Bangkok if you like the beach island life, as you won’t get that there, and don’t head to Bali if you hate traffic. Sounds simple, but many people don’t follow this approach and end up going home because “nomad life” wasn’t meeting their expectations. Well, duhh, the above is probably why…

Great beginner-friendly Digital Nomad locations include:

Bali – Huge nomad community, wellness & spiritual vibes, and excellent remote work infrastructure
Thailand (Chiang Mai, Koh Phangan) – Affordable, entrepreneurial, great food, solid Wi-Fi
Lisbon or Barcelona – Ideal if you want to stay in Europe with more modern conveniences.

For more experienced nomads: look into Medellin, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Costa Rica, or the Canary Islands.

🔗 Check out my FREE Find Your Freedom Model masterclass to figure out where to start your online business based on your dream lifestyle.

4. Get practical (and ethical) with visas, accommodation, and community

Here’s the unsexy stuff, but the things that really matter and can make or break your trip:

Visas – Always do your research. If you’re staying long-term, look into digital nomad visas. Countries like Portugal, Thailand, Costa Rica, and Colombia now offer them.
Accommodation – Avoid booking long stays on Airbnb or Booking. Use those sites to browse, then message hosts directly for better rates. Facebook and WhatsApp groups are also great for finding more local deals and long-term places to stay.
Making friends – Join digital nomad Facebook and WhatsApp groups for the place you are in, go to co-working spaces, or attend meetups via Eventbrite. Yes, it’s scary the first time to walk in solo. But it gets easier the more you do it – and it’s so worth it to make some very like-minded new friends.

I’ve met some of my best friends through nomad communities, and that’s a huge part of why I’ve stayed in this lifestyle so long.

📌I also built a co-working community on Koh Phangan, and you can join our WhatsApp group here if you’re planning a visit!

So are you ready to become a Digital Nomad?

Becoming a digital nomad isn’t about escaping real life. It’s about creating a life that actually feels aligned for you.

From choosing the right job and building your finances, to finding locations that support your mental and physical health – this lifestyle can be unbelievably rewarding. But it takes planning, resilience, and a whole lot of self-awareness.

If you’re curious about how to become a digital nomad, start by figuring out the freedom you want, then reverse engineer your business or job around that.

👉 Take the Freedom Seekers Quiz

👉 Watch the Find Your Freedom Model Masterclass

👉 Or listen to more episodes of The Remote CEO Podcast

Your dream lifestyle doesn’t start “someday” – it starts with one small, intentional step.