The power of the internet and the continuous development in technology make everything possible, even fully embracing the nomad lifestyle. Digital nomads were already around before the pandemic, and while remote work before wasn’t as prevalent as it is now, digital nomads are still thriving with how they make their lifestyle work.
A digital nomad is someone who works remotely, either full-time or part-time, anywhere in the world. They have the flexibility to create their work schedule and work while traveling to novel places. These people often work in public libraries, coffee shops, and coworking spaces. As long as they have laptops and a Wi-Fi connection, they’re ready to take on the day. As much as this work lifestyle is popular in other countries, there are also digital nomads in the Philippines. Discover tips and suitable places to work around Metro Manila from M Spaces, your coworking space in Manila.
Pros and Cons of the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
The digital nomad lifestyle may sound a bit grand and carefree, but it’s not as easy as it seems. Not everyone is cut out to be a digital nomad. Here are a few advantages and disadvantages of being a digital nomad.
Pro: Sense of Freedom
Choosing the digital nomad lifestyle can grant that desire to break free from the 9-to-5 office routine. Knowing how you will utilize your time for work gives you more control over your priorities and gives you more chance to achieve a work-life balance.
Con: Procrastination
Moving from one place to another isn’t as easy as it seems. It’s easier to get engrossed in the beauty and charm of a new city or country. Some digital nomads find it hard to focus on work because a particular place has so much to see and offer.
Pro: Opportunity to Travel
Probably the best perk of being a digital nomad is the ability to travel while you work. The pandemic has made it harder for people to travel, allowing some digital nomads to rediscover local places.
Con: Life Away from Family
Traveling is great, but it keeps you away from your loved ones. The digital nomad lifestyle is primarily for people who do not have kids or families yet. Another drawback of this lifestyle is the momentary loneliness since you are away from your families and friends.
Pro: Complete Independence
Digital nomads are their boss. Most digital nomads are freelancers, so they have the freedom to choose their workload, making them responsible for their lifestyle and their line of work.
Con: Financial Instability
As freelancers, digital nomads have no sense of stable income, so they must find job orders or projects to maintain their lifestyle. The freelancing world is also becoming more competitive, so they need to improve their skills to get more jobs. This continuous workload seeking can also lead to burnout since they are likely to put in more work to earn more.
Tips for Mastering the Digital Nomad Life
Working 100% online isn’t all fun and games. It takes a while to get its groove, and it requires more time and energy than you think. Have these few tips before you venture into the digital nomad lifestyle.
- Have Worked Lined Up Before You See the World
Having job orders lined up for you before you hit the road is an effective way of securing your financial base. Many companies take several days to process payments, so take the time to build your client list first to have a better financial status while you are traveling. - Prepare to Work Hard
The digital nomad lifestyle requires people to have more grit career-wise. As the pandemic opens more remote opportunities, it creates a more competitive landscape. Since many people are now opting for a career that offers them a sense of freedom, you must find your edge to stay in the game. You always must keep learning to better pitch yourself to grab job orders and projects. You also must build connections with clients to earn their trust and open your network to more potential clients. - Set A Clear Divide Between Work and Travel
The concept of traveling while working sounds all fun, but it could sometimes take a toll on people. It takes time to get used to it because you are not only discovering unknown places; you are also discovering yourself and how you navigate this new lifestyle that you chose. Travel slowly and set a routine for your work-life integration. For example, if you are in a country for six days. The first three days should be allotted for work, and the remaining should be for discovering the place.
Metro Manila as a Co-Working Space Hub
The Philippines is an excellent place for digital nomads. Nothing beats working while travelling to pristine beaches or discovering local hole-in-the-wall food stalls. If you are around Metro Manila and want to avoid all that traffic, a coworking space in the central business district is perfect for your digital nomad lifestyle.
Conveniently located in the heart of Metro Manila, the M Spaces coworking office in Manila is the perfect place for digital nomads and freelancers alike. M Spaces offers private offices and meeting rooms that can cater to your needs as low as Php 7,000 per seat. If you have a team of digital nomads, you can utilize meeting rooms for as low as Php 500 per hour, and it’s equipped with soundproof walls, a whiteboard, and a TV monitor.
M Spaces’ private offices offer high-speed Wi-Fi and LAN connectivity and free use of printers, scanners, and photocopiers. M Spaces’ office space also has overhead shelves for extra space. You also have 12 hours of meeting room access and access to the pantry, where you can serve yourself free coffee.
Are you a digital nomad in the Philippines? Check out M Spaces, your shared office space in Manila, for your needs. Learn more about our coworking rates and services. Contact us to book your fully serviced office!
