Digital nomadism; is a term used for people who live independently of location by working from anywhere with an internet connection. Many digital nomads run their businesses online while traveling the world with a backpack. These individuals, often developers, designers, marketers, content creators, teachers, or consultants, achieve a higher standard of living with the same income by living in countries with low living costs.

Since childhood, I had a dream of "earning money by traveling the world"; years later, I learned that this lifestyle is called digital nomadism. When I explained the idea of "working while traveling" to my friends at school, they would say, "Let us know if you find it!" Well, here’s the news! There is a lifestyle called digital nomadism!

Digital Nomadism is Not a Profession, It's a Lifestyle

From the outside, digital nomadism may seem like perpetual vacation. However, the reality is quite different. This lifestyle means not having to care about where you are as long as you complete your work.

Yes, you can enjoy sipping your drink by the sea during lunch break; that’s a wonderful opportunity. (But if your tasks for the day aren’t completed, you may find yourself working on your computer at 3:00 AM while everyone else is asleep.) The real issue is not perpetually vacationing but having complete control in your hands. Since there is no manager giving you orders, you must be your own manager and ensure that discipline yourself.

Why Has It Become So Popular?

• The pandemic normalized remote work.
• 50+ countries now offer official digital nomad visas.
• Technology becomes cheaper every day; even a $300 laptop can be sufficient.
• People are seeking a more meaningful life, flexibility, and experiences.

4 Preparations to Make Before You Leave

Before you start working on the beach with your computer as a digital nomad, you need to make a solid plan that includes psychological, financial, and legal processes.

If you pack your backpack and buy your plane ticket without completing the following preparation steps; your budget and motivation may quickly run out at your destination.

Setting up the preparation process correctly is the shortest way to turn the dream of remote working into a sustainable lifestyle.

Test Yourself: Are You Suitable for a Flexible Working Arrangement?

Being a digital nomad does not mean setting an alarm for 9:00 AM; it means setting your own working hours. However, this freedom requires strong self-discipline. Therefore, it’s important to undergo a 21-day adaptation process before leaving your current routine.

Take Yourself for a Test Drive: 21-Day Adaptation Test

Just like you take a test drive before buying a car, you need to conduct such a test before making a radical life change. You can experience the following 4 steps to see if you are suitable for remote work before quitting your job.

1. Simulate a Home Office Environment (3 Days): If you are currently working, take annual leave; if not, set aside a special 3 days for yourself. But the rule is this: You should prepare as if you are going to work, not in pajamas. Wake up in the morning, wash your face, make your coffee, and sit at your workstation. You need to work at your desk with an upright posture like in an office, not in bed or on the couch. Are you getting distracted by the comfort of home, or can you maintain your seriousness? You need to analyze this situation.

2. Get a Small Job Online: Try to take a simple job, even if it’s low-budget, through freelance job platforms (Bionluk, Upwork, etc.). The main goal here is not to earn money, but to test whether you can deliver the job on time to an unknown client without a manager overseeing you.

3. Focus and Attention Test (Pomodoro Technique): Implement a work cycle of 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. If you struggle to repeat this discipline 8 times a day, working in outdoor environments (e.g., a beach with distractions) may be quite challenging for you.

4. Loneliness and Isolation Test: Remember that your colleagues who used to chat with you during coffee breaks in an office environment will not be with you anymore. Mute your phone, stop using social media, and don’t message anyone for 3 days. Only when you are left alone with your work; evaluate honestly how working without hearing human voices and socializing affects your psychology and motivation.

Time to Evaluate the Results! What’s Your Score?

In the evening, honestly rate your performance during the day from 1 to 10:

• 8-10 Points: If you say, "I don’t need anyone for motivation, I can complete my work flawlessly," congratulations. You are suitable for this lifestyle, and you can start your preparations.
• 5-7 Points: If you say, "I occasionally need to see a human face," then being completely isolated may not be for you. You may need to use co-working spaces in the cities you visit, where other workers are present.
• 4 and Below: If you say, "I can’t focus alone, I'm easily distracted," you need to find virtual working partners (body-doubles) who will work silently alongside you via your camera online. Otherwise, you may struggle to cope with the feeling of loneliness while working alone at home.

Final Decision: If at the end of the 21 days you are not experiencing serious focus issues and can manage your stress, you are ready to become a digital nomad! However, if the results are not as you wish, you might need to improve your self-discipline a bit more; don’t rush to hit the road.

2) Create a 6-Month "Emergency Budget" on the Side

Just as a passport is crucial when you set off, this financial savings are equally important. The main reason for this is that when working freelance, there is no guaranteed salary that is regularly deposited into your account at the beginning of each month.

Things may not always go smoothly in your work processes; your client might delay payment, or an agreed project could be canceled. However, your rent, kitchen expenses, and the license fees for the software you use in your business will not wait to be paid (unfortunately).

Therefore, before you set off, you should make this calculation: "How much money do I need to meet my basic needs (rent, food, internet) in a month?" Multiply the amount you find by 6. That amount will be your financial security. (I recommend keeping this savings in Dollars or Euros instead of Turkish Lira to prevent devaluation.)

Also, it is essential to keep this money in accounts with high liquidity that you can withdraw immediately when needed, such as a Wise or an instant access bank account, rather than in restricted areas like term deposits.

3) Clarify Your Goals

Working at a table with an ocean view may seem like your ideal working environment. However, if the internet connection is slow, causing a simple file to take hours to send, this can turn into a significant problem that disrupts your work processes... Therefore, you need to be honest with yourself and define your priorities before setting off.

Which is more critical for you: low travel costs or high-speed, uninterrupted internet? You can enjoy an excellent affordable breakfast; however, if the Wi-Fi at your accommodation does not work properly, you'll experience serious stress when you can't respond to your clients on time. Remember that connectivity issues can overshadow the enjoyment of that reasonably priced breakfast. Therefore, take a paper and pen and note down the pros and cons. Answer the question, "Is my priority the view, or a strong internet infrastructure?" and choose your destination accordingly.

4) Tax and Visa Processes

Your speed of travel may vary depending on personal preference; you may stay in one country for months like a local or switch countries weekly. However, no matter what your pace is, there is a golden rule you should never forget: 183-Day Rule.

This situation can be simply summarized as follows: If you stay too long as a guest in a house, it’s natural for the landlord to ask you for rent. A similar situation applies to countries. When you stay in a country for more than 6 months (i.e., 183 days), that state may no longer see you as a tourist and may require you to pay taxes as if you were a resident. This is called "Tax Residency." To avoid unexpected tax debts, you should pay attention to this rule.

To manage this process, make sure to complete the following 3 steps before you leave:

1. Get Expert Support: Tax regulations can be complex. To avoid issues in the future, be sure to consult a specialist for your financial processes.
2. Research Suitable Visas: Each country has different visa policies. Some countries offer special residence and work visas for remote workers (under names like D7, e-Residence); make sure to explore these opportunities.
3. Learn Payment Receiving Methods: Transferring money from abroad to your bank account in Turkey can sometimes be costly. To ensure your earnings don't go toward transfer fees, learn to use modern and low-commission international payment systems like Wise, Payoneer, or Stripe.

Are Digital Nomads Really Running Away from Something?

A question we often encounter is: "What are you actually running away from?" Our answer to this question is quite clear! We are not running away from anything! Humans are inherently mobile beings who can easily adapt to any environment. Our potential to live anywhere in the world is a sufficient reason for us to prefer this lifestyle.

We recognize how valuable it is to have a permanent home, family, or friends. However, what drives us is the desire to explore the world, experience it, and immerse ourselves in different cultures. The world is much larger than we think, and it is worth experiencing. Therefore, many define this lifestyle not as an "escape" but as a form of "existence." Digital nomadism is not a refuge from the challenges of life; it is freedom itself!

Redefine Your Life Rhythm

Even though the world is much larger than you might think, don’t worry; anywhere with an internet connection is your office. Achieving this free lifestyle is not a complex process; the path you should follow is quite clear:

Firstly, acquire a skill that is in demand in the market that people will pay you for and prepare examples of your work that demonstrate this skill. Then, set aside some "travel budget," identify a country where the cost of living is affordable to get started, and take the final step by booking that plane ticket!

It's your turn now! Are you ready to build a life where you will live according to your own defined routine rather than the morning alarm, controlling everything entirely yourself?