빈센트
Three years ago, I quit my stable job and started digital nomad life. The reality was very different from the glamorous images on Instagram. In this post, I share my honest experience.
Freedom to wake up on a Bali beach instead of Monday morning meetings. This is real. Being able to choose your time and location fundamentally changes quality of life.
Constantly adapting to new environments greatly improved my problem-solving, adaptability, and resilience. Insights gained from experiencing 15 countries in 3 years are lifelong assets.
People I met in nomad communities aren't ordinary friends. We share similar values, support each other's growth, and sometimes become business partners.
The money I spent on Seoul rent ($1,300/month) got me a villa with a pool in Chiang Mai. I could enjoy better quality of life while saving on living costs.
Instagram shows parties and beaches, but not nights eating dinner alone. It's hard to maintain deep relationships, and missing family on holidays is tougher than expected.
Visa issues, housing contracts, internet outages... constant problems to solve. I often miss the stability of "settling down."
Working freelance makes my career feel fragmented. Especially when considering returning to Korea for employment, resume gaps are a concern.
Adapting to new environments constantly weakens immunity. Regular checkups are difficult, and being sick without family is the hardest moment.
Feeling like you don't fully belong anywhere. You're a foreigner to locals and an outsider in Korean communities.
Three years of nomad life was the most challenging yet rewarding time of my life. But this lifestyle isn't for everyone.
Nomad life should be a "choice," not an "escape." Running away from something isn't sustainable - you should be moving toward the life you truly want.
If you're considering starting, try 1-3 months first. Traveling and living are completely different. There's no better answer than actual experience.
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