How to Not Feel Lonely as a Digital Nomad

Being a digital nomad is all about freedom. You have the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want, and spend time with whoever you want. People choosing this kind of lifestyle are often used to being independent and are good at making new connections. However, we know that life isn’t always that easy.

Feelings of loneliness can pop up at any time, no matter how independent you think you are. The good thing is that the digital nomad lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular. This means that a lot of people can relate. With the increase of digital nomads, there are also major developments in the technological sphere. These developments are facilitating easier lives for nomads across the world.

Social media

The power of social media is not only useful for building an online business. It can also be a great asset for finding a community of other digital nomads. Facebook is a great way to start. There are a bunch of expat groups on Facebook. Here you can find people from around the world in the city you’re currently in. Simply search ‘Expats in (insert the city)’. Then create a post saying you’re looking for co-working opportunities. They will either have a lot of great advice on where to look for spaces or even want to join themselves.

Being an expat can often feel lonely, so there will be lots of other people seeking friends and work buddies. There are also designated groups for digital nomads in many of the major cities in the world. Here you can be sure to find people to talk to, or work with. In addition to this, you’ll find both Facebook and Instagram pages that provide useful tips for expats and nomads in many big cities across the world.

Cafes

A quick Google search will allow you to find cafes in your area which are popular working spaces amongst the locals. Whilst this is not the best way to meet people to work with, it might be good to just be surrounded by people doing the same thing as you.

If you’re feeling up for it, you might even want to approach some people there to have a chat. Maybe they’re looking for work buddies too? Either way, cafes provide a cozy and social work environment for an hour or two. A great perk is that they often offer free WiFi to their customers. Besides, you also get to taste some local food while you’re there!

You can even do some cafe hopping throughout the day, to get a change of scenery, and meet other people. This way, you also get to explore the city more, and you get some exercise in between your meetings.

Co-working spaces

Whether in-person or virtual, there are a lot of co-working spaces available for people to rent short-term or long-term. With a co-working pass from COPASS for example, you will be able to use an office spot in more than 650 co-working spaces, located in 70 different countries.

If you’re not looking for a membership, but just the odd co-working space, you can check out websites like COWORKER, which has an exhaustive list of available spots around the world. These spaces are in increasing demand, however, so you might need to book them well in advance.

If you prefer to work in the comfort of your Airbnb, you can also sign up for a virtual co-working space like Gather. They function in the same way as on-site spaces, except they’re, well, virtual.

Additional tips

We all feel lonely sometimes, there’s no way around it. However, when you’re traveling around a lot, it can feel even more difficult. As the connections you make along the way are often short-lived, it’s hard to keep in touch with someone across the world. Make an effort to stay connected to the people you meet. Do this either through social media, by text, or even give them a call once in a while. If you’re looking for ways to make friends while traveling, check out our post about that topic!

When you don’t have a fixed home anywhere, the connections you make along the way essentially become home. It’s important to nurture that. When you’re off to a new and exciting place, remember the people who made your experiences better. And tell them – they will probably appreciate it too!