How To Overcome the 8 Biggest Challenges of Full-Time Travel

08/17/21 • 34 min

Being a full-time traveler isn’t always as blissful as dancing in the streets of Havana, Cuba with a mojito in each hand or sitting on a sunny mountaintop in Norway. Of course, traveling allows us to experience euphoric moments like these, but it also brings about obstacles and difficult moments that challenge us along the way.

In Episode 121 of Badass Digital Nomads, Kristin highlights 8 things that happen when you become a full-time digital nomad and 4 powerful pieces of advice that will help you overcome those challenges so you can have the best travel experience possible.

Despite the uncertainty that comes with the digital nomad lifestyle, this podcast was created to be a valuable resource for you so that you know what to expect from full-time solo travel. With this insight, you can go out into the world as a prepared and confident nomad!

“That which you seek to live well is found everywhere.” - Seneca

EPISODE 121 TOPICS DISCUSSED:

How you can feel the highs and the lows of travel at the same time - the polarity of life [2:35]
Why you sometimes have to go through hard times and challenges to get to the best parts of life [4:01]
Your personal bucket list is as unique as your DNA, but that doesn't mean you have to do everything alone without guidance or support [5:01]
A friend’s personal struggle with being a long-term traveler (tension between moving around and remaining still/grounded). [6:13]
Philosphers were talking about the pros and cons of wanderlust 2,000 years ago [10:26]
Viewer and listener reactions, comments, and advice on this topic of the challenges of full-time travel [11:45]
What to do if you’re a traveler who misses having pets or plants. [13:42]
Welcome to Kristin's newest Patreon Patrons and everyone who has bought coffees [16:10]
Kristin is relaunching her second YouTube channel - Digital Nomad TV! Subscribe at YouTube.com/DigitalNomad [17:24]
Sustaining a full-time traveler lifestyle & how Cal Newport’s theory of slow productivity relates to "slow travel." [18:22]

8 Things That Happen When You Travel Full-Time:

Start of the segment [20:47]
Challenge #1: The nightmare of full-time travel logistics. [21:29]
Challenge #2: Lack of sleep and energy management leads to exhaustion. [22:08]
Challenge #3: Why it’s difficult to establish a daily routine. [22:47]
Challenge #4: The effects of loneliness as a full-time traveler. [23:49]
Challenge #5: Dating for digital nomads. [24:32]
Challenge #6: Experiencing major FOMO (fear of missing out) as a full-time traveler. [25:03]
Challenge #7: Minimalist travel & Missing your old hobbies. [26:07]
Challenge #8: Travel burnout, Anthony Bourdain, and Why humans aren’t built for modern full-time travel. [27:15]

TOP TRAVEL TIPS: How to Prevent and Overcome Challenges [29:02]

#1 - Find your “why”. [29:10]
#2 - Remember that travel won’t solve your problems! [29:44]
#3 - Indulge in slow travel or take a break. [30:36]
#4 - Connect with friends, family, and community. [31:00]
Why you should travel despite the challenges. [31:54]
Conclusion and resources + thanks to Sophie from UK for the 5-Star podcast review! [33:00]

Support the Badass Digital Nomads Podcast:

RESOURCES

► Open a Wise Borderless Account with Wise (formerly Transferwise)

► Travel Medical Insurance with SafetyWing

► Interested in learning how to make money online with freelancing? Use code QUITYOURJOB for $100 off Kristin's online course, Freelance to Freedom.

► Check out Kristin's Podcast Equipment on Amazon.

► Moving to a foreign country? Contact: Orbis Relocation Services

Books:

“That which you seek to live well is found everywhere.” - Seneca

EPISODE 121 TOPICS DISCUSSED:

How you can feel the highs and the lows of travel at the same time - the polarity of life [2:35]
Why you sometimes have to go through hard times and challenges to get to the best parts of life [4:01]
Your personal bucket list is as unique as your DNA, but that doesn't mean you have to do everything alone without guidance or support [5:01]
A friend’s personal struggle with being a long-term traveler (tension between moving around and remaining still/grounded). [6:13]
Philosphers were talking about the pros and cons of wanderlust 2,000 years ago [10:26]
Viewer and listener reactions, comments, and advice on this topic of the challenges of full-time travel [11:45]
What to do if you’re a traveler who misses having pets or plants. [13:42]
Welcome to Kristin's newest Patreon Patrons and everyone who has bought coffees [16:10]
Kristin is relaunching her second YouTube channel - Digital Nomad TV! Subscribe at YouTube.com/DigitalNomad [17:24]
Sustaining a full-time traveler lifestyle & how Cal Newport’s theory of slow productivity relates to "slow travel." [18:22]

8 Things That Happen When You Travel Full-Time:

Start of the segment [20:47]
Challenge #1: The nightmare of full-time travel logistics. [21:29]
Challenge #2: Lack of sleep and energy management leads to exhaustion. [22:08]
Challenge #3: Why it’s difficult to establish a daily routine. [22:47]
Challenge #4: The effects of loneliness as a full-time traveler. [23:49]
Challenge #5: Dating for digital nomads. [24:32]
Challenge #6: Experiencing major FOMO (fear of missing out) as a full-time traveler. [25:03]
Challenge #7: Minimalist travel & Missing your old hobbies. [26:07]
Challenge #8: Travel burnout, Anthony Bourdain, and Why humans aren’t built for modern full-time travel. [27:15]

TOP TRAVEL TIPS: How to Prevent and Overcome Challenges [29:02]

#1 - Find your “why”. [29:10]
#2 - Remember that travel won’t solve your problems! [29:44]
#3 - Indulge in slow travel or take a break. [30:36]
#4 - Connect with friends, family, and community. [31:00]
Why you should travel despite the challenges. [31:54]
Conclusion and resources + thanks to Sophie from UK for the 5-Star podcast review! [33:00]

Support the Badass Digital Nomads Podcast:

RESOURCES

► Open a Wise Borderless Account with Wise (formerly Transferwise)

► Travel Medical Insurance with SafetyWing

► Interested in learning how to make money online with freelancing? Use code QUITYOURJOB for $100 off Kristin's online course, Freelance to Freedom.

► Check out Kristin's Podcast Equipment on Amazon.

► Moving to a foreign country? Contact: Orbis Relocation Services

Books:

Previous Episode

Building the World’s First Country on the Internet with SafetyWing Founder, Sondre Rasch

Wondering what the first global digital country on the internet will be like? Would you like answers to your top travel and health insurance questions?

Tune into Episode 120 of Badass Digital Nomads, where Kristin speaks with SafetyWing Co-Founder, Sondre Rasch, about the "safety net" that he and his team are building for remote workers, world travelers, and global citizens. You'll learn how a group of digital nomad friends created the products they wish they had when they started traveling - from emergency travel medical insurance to a nomad pension plan that can help you retire early on FIRE.

Sondre answers your most pressing questions about SafetyWing’s coverage, taken straight from listeners like you in Kristin's Facebook Group, Badass Digital Nomads, and gives you his insights into the best ways to work remotely and stay productive and focused from anywhere.

You'll also get a sneak peek into what Plumia will be like, the world's first digital country on the internet.

This episodes ends with some productivity tips and the surprising (and inspiring!) story behind SafetyWing’s motto: “All problems are solvable.”

You won’t want to miss this!

Support the Badass Digital Nomads Podcast:

► Do you work or travel internationally? 🌍 Check out the Wise Borderless Account

► Interested in learning how to make money online with freelancing? Use code QUITYOURJOB for $100 off Kristin's online course, Freelance to Freedom.

► Check out Kristin's Podcast Equipment on Amazon.

► SAFETYWING PRODUCTS:

↳ Travel Medical Insurance

↳ Global Health Insurance

...........................................................................................

EPISODE 120 TOPICS DISCUSSED:

How Sondre developed the concept of health insurance for travelers.
The global adoption of digital nomadism and remote work.What a digital country is and how it works.
Explanation of SafetyWing's different products, benefits, and coverage.
How to invest in your future and save for retirement with SafetyWing's new pension plan.
Sondre’s critique on digital nomads not paying taxes.
How to participate in the world’s first digital country, Plumia.
The skill Sondre learned as a sniper in the Norweigan Army that he still uses today.

Travel Medical and Health Insurance Questions Answered:

How did you found a travel insurance company with absolutely no prior experience?
What has it been like transitioning from Silicon Valley to remote entrepreneurs?
What does SafetyWing offer to travelers and expats?
What is a "global social safety net?"
Has SafetyWing coverage changed as a result of COVID?
If you get sick or in an accident, do you have to pay out-of-pocket upfront and then get reimbursed?
Does SafetyWing nomad insurance or remote health insurance cover prescriptions for pre-existing conditions?
Are non-traditional therapies covered under SafetyWing?
Why does SafetyWing not cover people 70+ years old?
Does SafetyWing offer life insurance for travelers?

World's First Digital Country:

Why start a digital country on the internet?
How will you get other countries to recognize an internet country?
Will Plumia have an official currency or use cryptocurrency?
When will people be able to become citizens of Plumia?
What will be the benefits of getting a Plumia passport?

Productivity:

How do you stay productive while working remotely?
What are your tips for staying focused while working from home and getting "deep work" done?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Videos:

Lofoten Norway Digital Nomad Lifestyle - Arctic Coworking Lodge

Next Episode

How To Be Great and Live Your Best Life With Steph Smith io

How can you advance in your career and have freedom at the same time? What are some practical ways to design your ideal life? Kristin speaks with Steph Smith from the popular digital nomad and remote work blog, StephSmith.io, to share her tips on lifestyle design, productivity, long-term travel, nomadic relationships, and more.

Steph is a remote growth marketer, writer, and indie maker. She is also a self-taught developer that has built multiple projects, including some that have topped Product Hunt, leading to a nomination for Maker of the Year in 2018. Steph also has a personal blog that has been read by over half a million people, touching on topics including remote work, productivity, and tech. Most recently, she wrote a book, Doing Content Right, that has sold over 3,000 copies.

In episode 122 of Badass Digital Nomads, Kristin and Steph talk about the key elements of designing and living your best life, from optimizing your career to the little things that boost your happiness. Steph tells her story of how she became a digital nomad and entrepreneur, highlighting the mindset and top skills you need to follow a non-traditional life path.

Wise beyond her years, Steph shares some of the lessons she’s learned from traveling the world and living amongst other cultures while continuing her education and growth as a professional.

Ready to start designing your ideal life? Tune in to join the movement!

RESOURCES

► Open a Wise Borderless Account with Wise (formerly Transferwise)

► Get Travel Medical Insurance with SafetyWing

► Want to make money online with freelancing? Use code QUITYOURJOB for $100 off Kristin's online course, Freelance to Freedom.

► Check out Kristin's Podcast Equipment on Amazon.

EPISODE 122 TOPICS DISCUSSED:

Dating as a digital nomad.
Steph’s strategy for designing her ideal life.
The lifecycle of a digital nomad.
Jobs that you can work remotely while traveling.
Adjusting to digital nomadism & The mindset required to get a remote job.
The power of doing your own thing and taking non-traditional life paths.
Applying the Explore-Exploit Framework to life.
Lessons learned from experiencing burnout from working and traveling too much.
How Steph developed skills, like coding, while traveling & The projects she’s working on now.
Top skills you should learn if you want to work remotely in 2021.
How to approach continuous learning and growth in an enjoyable way.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

What happened in the moment where you realized that you wanted to quit your 9-5 job?
How did you get the courage to quit your traditional job and what did you do next?
How did you find a remote job?
What were your first few months like after starting to work remotely abroad?
Where are some of the places you chose to work remotely and why?
What inspired you and gave you the courage to apply for a location independent job?
Why did you start a blog and what have you learned through writing online?
How do you balance a full-time remote job with your side hustle?
How has traveling changed you?
What are some of the favorite places you've been?
How does one begin with "designing their life?"
How do you avoid burnout as a digital nomad and remote worker?
What do you think is the best work/travel strategy for the future now that you have experience in a location-independent lifestyle?
And much more!