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  • Writer's pictureRob Alston

5 Steps to Quit What You're Doing and Become a Digital Nomad

Hello, traveler.


You are either someone who has for a long time now wanted to become a digital nomad, or you are someone who is interested in the topic and you want to learn more about what it takes. You're in the right place.


Turns out, many people are interested in the topic. And for good reason. A survey done in 2014 by oDesk for the freelancing website Upwork showed 92% of people surveyed said they're happier since becoming less tied to a physical workplace.


It is intriguing. It strays from what was taught to us in school; 40 hours a week for 40 years to retire off of 40% of your paycheck. Becoming a digital nomad is the dream, for some. And it is very possible. In this post, I lay out exactly what I did to achieve location independence.


My goal is for you to be informed. For you to learn something that will impact you. My goal is also for you to do one of two things: to choose your current path and to choose it powerfully, or for you to use these steps to aid you in becoming a digital nomad and a living as a freelancer.


Step 1: Quit Your Job


Aaand we're starting off swinging. Step 1? Quit your job. Put in your notice and resign. It is of a respectable nature to give your company proper notice; even more than proper notice, if possible. For example, I let my company know in April that I would be resigning in October. My industry was corporate finance. Please use your own discretion. You are both protecting yourself, as well as maintaining a reputation as a solid employee, should you wish to re-enter the field.


Why is this Step 1? Because people who make the choice first will then do everything to have that choice be realized. The idea is that if you buy a ticket to see John Legend perform Christmas tunes in another country (a personal wish list of mine), then you will make sure you have work off, you tell your family and your friends, put a hold on your mail, shack up your dog, and clean your house. Once it's in your future, then it's happening and you are making it happen. It's the same idea here.


Also, begin saving more than you used to. The nice thing about a paycheck every fortnight is that it comes every fortnight. Look at your budget (or make one if you haven't already) and find where the fat can be trimmed. This is your life. You decide where to cut back. Some people hold their social life in high regard, and as such would first trim back their health insurance coverage before 86'ing the dinner and a movie with friends.


What is important to you? What can you live without? What can't you live without? Mindful questions like these will aid you in where you can find a little extra savings.


Disclaimer: I know what I am asking you to do is risky. Follow these guidelines at your own discretion. It has worked for me. It may work for you. It may not work for you.


Step 2: Book a 1-Way Ticket


This is one of the cool and exciting parts. Visit Skyscanner or simply use Google Flights and book a 1-way ticket. Why 1-way? Because you don't know how long you'll stay; you don't know how much you'll end up loving or hating it, and having it non-time-bound gives you the freedom to branch out to other countries.


The timing is up to you. I left approximately 2 weeks after leaving my job. You can leave the day after, or a month after. I wouldn't leave it any longer than a month; you didn't resign so you could stay in the same place forever, after all.


Some of the best deals in the world come from subscribing to mailing lists from popular airlines.


For Australians, go for:

For Americans, try:

Where have you always wanted to visit? Where have you visited in a book as a child but never in real life? Where has always called your name? What's a place that would blow your mind if you were there?


Bear in mind that my suggestions mainly include first world countries. You can branch out from there after you've gained some experience as a traveler. MANY places speak English, and technology and translation today take us leaps and bounds further than where we've ever been as a species. Don't worry so much about the language.


Skyscanner has a feature where you can set the destination to "Anywhere". Research shows that anywhere between 47 and 110 days before your trip is the best time to reserve your ticket. I bought my ticket approximately 160 days before travel and the price was very reasonable.


Step 3: Sell, Donate, Toss, and Store


All that you have collected over the years will do you no good on the road. It can be painful, as well as extremely therapeutic, to work through the rooms in your home. Painful because, well, you haven't gotten rid of it yet, so why start now? And it can be therapeutic, because the freedom that comes from only having a backpack and a suitcase of belongings is oh so sweet. It's like submitting a project to your boss or professor that's taken you ages. Release. Relief.


The best thing to do is to start early and make piles. One for selling, one for donating, one for rubbish, one to keep, and one to store, if this option is available to you.


Sell What You Can


Selling is done best on Facebook Marketplace. It's local and it's easy. Simply take a couple of photos, add a title and description and a price, and you're on your way. Everything from bicycles to gently worn dresses are sold on FB Marketplace.


Specify whether you are willing to deliver, or if you would be open to meeting them somewhere close to where you work for example. Otherwise they can pick it up from your home, and many people are happy to do this.


Don't be shy to tell them what to bring; for example, they may need a dolly to move the refrigerator out of the kitchen, or bungie cords and towels to tie and safely transport a couch to the bed of their truck.


Ebay is also good. It isn't as fast or as streamlined as Facebook Marketplace; however, it's still a great option. You need to create an account, and it is also important to set your listings to Buy It Now. This is the preferred option on Ebay, and it will ensure your items sell quicker.


Perform a search on what you wish to sell in order to get an idea of price. Set yours a few dollars cheaper to sell quicker, or set it at the same price or higher if it's of equal or better quality. Make sure you also have a Paypal account. This is the main mode of transportation of funds on Ebay, and it is extremely safe. I have not used Craigslist and therefore I cannot speak of its merits.


Donate As Much As Possible


Reuse. Reduce. Recycle. Make this the biggest pile. Not only will you feel GREAT, but the people to whom you are donating will be delighted. Likewise, the end user will of course be grateful to make use of your old belongings!


Here are a few ideas to get you started.


For Americans:


  • Goodwill - This location finder for Goodwill allows you to add which clothes/items you wish to donate to specialize which locations near you will accept them.

  • Salvation Army - You can use their locator to find a local drop-off location or schedule a free pick-up. You can even donate your vehicle for a tax write-off.

  • Furniture Bank Association of America - Furniture Bank is available in both USA and Canada. Unfortunately they only have drop-off locations, and no pick-up.

  • Donation Town - This service allows you to enter your zip-code and it tells you which charities in your location pick up donations for free!


For Australians:


  • Australian Red Cross - Find a store near you and donate your used clothes. After your tenth purchase or donation they will give you 25% off your next visit.

  • Salvos - Short for Salvation Army. They are one of the few in Australia who will schedule a pick-up. They accept clothes, toys, crockery, and small electrical goods.

  • Lifeline - Lifeline offers charity bins, goods drop-off, and collection services. This charity focuses on crisis support and suicide prevention.

  • Vinnies - St. Vincent De Paul, or Vinnies, also offers drop-offs at their locations, and some of their stores also are available to collect goods. Clothing, home ware, toys, CDs, books, DVDs, furniture, and electrical appliances can be donated. Check with your local store first to see if they accept things like furniture and electronics.

In Brisbane, I donated two or three car loads to Vinnies. It. Felt. Great. And they were beside themselves! I also organised a pick-up from Salvos by giving them a call and telling them about how many boxes I had left to donate. They said yep, righty-o, and we set a date.


Even as I think about it now, I am filled with a sense of peace. What you "let be" lets you be. I am at peace with the fact that my belongings fit into a backpack and a suitcase. I am at peace because there's nothing to think about. A reason why the minimalist trend has gained traction is because in a world where there are as many things to worry about as articles to read, minimizing clutter has become a priority, as well as an exercise in stress relief.


Toss What You Must


Keep this pile as small as possible. Donate or sell as much of your unwanted belongings as you can. Keep or store the belongings you do want. Anything that doesn't fall into either of these two buckets, you can toss.


Please honor your local trash sorting regulations. For example, in Japan, one of the employees at a hostel I was staying at in Osaka said that if their trash isn't properly sorted, then the people who pick it up will simply leave it!


Simply put, with one dumpster truck of plastic being dumped into the ocean every minute (source), your efforts to minimize waste spread far and wide.


Store If You Have the Resources


If this option is available to you, then feel free to make limited use of it. Namely, if you have a large item like a surfboard or saxophone or bicycle that you just can't part with or that will see more use further down the road, consider storing it with a friend or family member. I've never paid for storage so I cannot give advice on this.


Be sure to set expectations with the person holding on to them. Tell them if they can use the items or not, and when you'll be back to retrieve them.


Step 4: Begin Establishing Yourself Online Through Upwork


There are literally countless ways to make money online. I'm going to be talking about the way I know how, and that's through freelance writing. This step is important to get started with as soon as you can. Begin as a side hustle. It will then become one of your main sources of income.


Upwork Guarantees a Quick Start


Upwork.com is where I got my start. Create an account and get writing. Upwork is very simple to understand. Clients go on the website and create job posts. They describe their needs and what they're willing to pay. Freelancers like you search for jobs you're interested in, and write a cover letter to the client telling them why they ought to choose you. The client reads the cover letters and views the profiles of the freelancers who apply and hires who he or she believes best fits the role.


As a free user, you are granted 60 connects per month, and each job usually requires you to have 2 connects. Thus, you can apply to approximately 30 jobs per month. You can buy more connects at a cost of $2 per 2 connects.


How to Succeed at Upwork


There are many resources for how to slay the Upwork game. Here are are my suggestions.

  • Complete Your Profile to 100%. If you were hiring someone you've never met before, chances are, you'd like to learn as much about them as possible. Finish your profile! Add a profile picture, create a description, add your location, skills, employment history, education, certifications, and anything else such as your personal website in the "Other experiences" section.

  • Create a Winning Description. Here is a sample description. "Hello! My name is Hemingway Tolstoy and my skills include blogging, article writing, editing, and creative writing. I am thrilled to write pieces for you that are well-researched, proofread, and on time. I pride myself in maintaining frequent communication with all of my clients, and I offer up to 2 revisions for free. What sets me apart from the rest is my unique and engaging writing style, my native English skills, and my experience writing for business for 5 years." Easy! The goal: edify yourself as a credible source, speak to your accomplishments and experience, and tell them what they can rely on you for.

  • Begin Every Proposal with a Summary of their Needs. Here is a sample introduction to a cover letter. "Hi! My name is Hemingway and I am a native English speaker from the USA. I am happy to write 300+ word articles for your travel/lifestyle website! I can write 3-5 articles per month that will be proofread and include 2 royalty free images." This does two things for you. For one, it shows them that you read the description. Secondly, it shows that you are attentive and care about the details.

  • Optional: Have Sample Pieces at the Ready. If you have a website, feel free to point them in that direction. If you are allowed to share ghostwritten pieces (that is, you didn't sign an NDA with the client), do that too. Heck, if you only have articles on Google Docs, link those. Clients like reading what you've written before. About 50% of the time you will be asked to provide at least one sample piece. You can either ignore these posts, or link them your work. Don't have anything? Write something. Make it at least 1,000 words, add a few images, and upload it onto a free blogging website like WordPress or Blogspot/Blogger. I recommend WordPress as it is most recognised and considered an esteemed brand in the writing world. Level up!

Shortlist of Goals Using Upwork in Your First Month

  • Set up your account to 100% completion.

  • Submit 10-20 proposals in your first 1-2 weeks, depending on how much time you have. You may feel free to use the above introduction in your cover letters (Under the Find Work tab, narrow your search down to posts with skills including Blog Writing, Article Writing, and Content Writing). Go for gold, baby.

  • Complete your first job!

  • Complete 5 more jobs on Upwork.

Your goal with Upwork should be to begin making money by writing. You will gain valuable reviews from clients that are as good as gold. Congratulations! You are on your way to becoming a digital nomad!


Later You Can Offer More Services Like Online Courses


Admittedly, Upwork isn't known to offer the highest competitive rates from the get-go. You can establish a steady income using Upwork, and it will take time. One of the biggest lessons I've learned as a digital nomad is that nothing is instant. Things take time. Writing a blog, finding clients, getting paid, transferring money across accounts, doing your taxes, creating a budget, and even planning the month ahead. Everything takes a certain amount of time. Respect father Time.


However, one of the best parts about reading this blog at this very moment is that you have now been reminded that passive income is king!


Yes, you can get paid on work you've done in the past! Ask Lady Gaga and she'll tell you that she's slaying the passive income game. Same with Vincent Van Gogh, although your goal is to stay alive. Even this kid with 10.5 million subscribers knows about the wonders of passive income. Warren Buffet swears by compound interest, which is essentially passive income.


The end game is passive income. The way forward? Passive income. One more time. Passive income. So. The way to do this is by creating content you can sell over and over again.


One way to do this is by offering online courses. For example, let's say you love writing and you decide to help others write more efficiently and for more money. Your course is titled "Freelancing Like a Legend." By putting in the work once and packaging it into a course, you can sell it an infinite amount of times in the future. With a solid following and a stellar product, this is an extremely viable way to generate income.


For all intents and purposes, I have not created an online course to date. In the future, I plan to, and I plan on having it particularly focused on freelancing, travelling, or poetry.


Step 5: Create an Account on Couchsurfing and/or Workaway


These two websites are absolutely legendary, for two reasons. One, because bringing people together and creating community is of paramount importance to me. Secondly, because they offer something everyone needs: accommodation.


Couchsurfing Brings Travelers Together


Couchsurfing is an app that connects travelers.


Hosts have space, and Couchsurfers need a place to lie their head at night. Both are interested in meeting other travelers and sharing stories. I have had some insanely awesome experiences with Couchsurfing, and after being a member of the community for nearly 2 months, I have noticed that most people have nothing but good things to say about the app.


Why? Because meeting people who love meting people is awesome. Because sharing is life. Because the experience of meeting someone and virtually instantly becoming their friend is unforgettable.


Being Successful on Couchsurfing

  • Couchsurfing is an app offering free accommodation. You should never be asked for money in exchange for accommodation. If you do, report it.

  • Set up a Couchsurfing account today. Create it to 100%, like how we spoke about Upwork.

  • Add as many photos as you like, preferably more than 10.

  • Add information in each section of your description. Hosts want to read about you!

  • You can make 10 requests per week to stay with a host. Use them wisely.

  • If you have the money to spend, become verified. It's $84 for life, and you can make unlimited requests to stay with hosts.

  • Just like in Upwork proposals, when you make a request to stay, make your requests personal! Read their description and mention 2 or 3 things in your request. This shows that you care!

As a digital nomad, accommodation can get expensive, and it is up to you whether you want to stay in hotels/hostels, or with others. There are downsides and benefits to both options, and at the end of the day it is entirely your choice. A healthy mix of both will give you the freedom to be independent, as well as a chance to eat a home-cooked meal and swap stories with like-minded people.


Workaway Gives You the Option to Volunteer for Your Stay


Another amazing app for travelers and one that I absolutely love is Workaway! Workaway differs from Couchsurfing in that you exchange a few hours per day (usually 25 hours per week) for free accommodation and food.


Workaway's hosts can be anyone from a single parent living in the city and needing help with their everyday chores, all the way to two families living on an eco-farm in the rural part of France asking you to help restore their tractor. Workaway rocks.


Being Successful on Workaway

  • Unfortunately, you must pay before using the site. It is $34 for one year, which is extremely reasonable for unlimited requests to stay with hosts.

  • Yep, you guessed it: fill out your profile to 100% completion! Photos, descriptions, locations; as much information as you can so your hosts can learn about you.

  • Search for hosts by location, and tick "last minute listing" if you're requesting to stay within one week of writing them.

  • When writing hosts, be personable and honest! Reference 2 or 3 things in their listing that shows them you care, i.e. minimum length of stay and skills required.

  • Respond quickly, and leave reviews every time!

I am providing you my affiliate link to Workaway. If you sign up to Workaway through my blog post I will receive a bonus. Thank you for helping out the digital nomad community.


Now You Have A Choice


You have what you need now to at least begin formulating an educated decision about whether becoming a digital nomad is right for you.


There are countless resources at hand to help you succeed. Facebook communities (like this, this, or this) are a perfect way to network and to create community around you. Connecting with your tribe is something I hold in the highest regard. Those who do it early are the ones who are the least likely to feel lonely.


This is a decision that impacts your whole life. It isn't easy, and not everyone is doing it. However, it can be worth it, and it can be deeply rewarding. I became a digital nomad and I am never looking back. Do yourself a favor. Ask yourself the question: "What is important to me?", and sit back and listen to the answer.


Have questions? You can email them to me or drop me a line on any of my social media accounts.

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