110: How Digital Nomads Can Live a More Fulfilled Everyday Life with Sandra

“You need to surround yourself with people who are gonna make you want to go there and build this life for yourself.”

Meet digital nomad Sandra

In this episode of the Digital Nomads Daily Podcast, Nienke Nina interviews Sandra Abrouk, a digital nomad who has been living this lifestyle for five years. Sandra’s background is in UX design, and in the past three years, she has been freelancing and working in the co-living industry, applying the methodology of UX design to build real-life experiences in co-living spaces.

One of the biggest challenges that Sandra faced when she first started nomadding was the uncertainty that comes with this lifestyle. She also realized that while it’s exciting to travel and see new places, it’s not sustainable in the long run, and one needs to slow down to make this lifestyle work.

Nienke and Sandra talk about various daily digital nomad topics, including how to make friends and maintain friendships, how to build a community, and the challenges that come with this lifestyle. Sandra shares her personal experience with uncertainty and the need to surround oneself with people who are going to give support, inspiration, and make one feel seen and heard. The episode also covers different ways to seek support, such as coaching, mentorship, and therapy. You will learn about the importance of taking things slow, finding one’s tribe and the unexpected and beautiful experience of connecting with strangers in silence during a silent retreat.

Key Takeaways from Sandra’s interview about some of the golden nuggets of living the digital nomad lifestyle

Digital nomads master embracing uncertainty

One of the biggest challenges of being a digital nomad is dealing with the uncertainty that comes with the lifestyle. It’s important to learn how to handle uncertainty, especially regarding income, location, and relationships.

Why digital nomads should consider taking it slow

Taking it slow is crucial in building a career as a freelancer or business owner. Starting with a part-time remote job and slowly transitioning to freelancing is a more sustainable approach.

The power of finding your tribe

 Surrounding yourself with a supportive network is fundamental to building a successful digital nomad lifestyle. It’s essential to find people who inspire and support you, whether it’s a coach, mentor, or group of like-minded individuals.

The digital nomad lifestyle is a constant self-development journey

Digital nomads are often into self-development, and it’s mandatory to stay sane and survive in this lifestyle. Trying different things like hypnotherapy, breath work, human design sessions, and silent retreats can help you better understand yourself

Flexing your curiosity muscle

Curiosity is a common personality trait among digital nomads, which makes them open-minded and willing to try new things. Curiosity isnt always sexy and easy but by staying open minded towards new beliefs, thoughts, cultures, foods, habits and looking at ways of life you will flexi your ‘‘curiousity muscle’’

Creating beautiful connections in silence

Participating in a silent retreat helped Sandra connect with strangers in a new way. Sharing vulnerably and authentically during a group discussion led to a deeper sense of connection.

All digital nomads master how to embrace change

Embracing change and reinventing yourself is essential to building a successful digital nomad lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to try new things, take risks, and learn as you go.

Connect with our Nienke Nina and our guests

Your host Nienke Nina

More digital nomad tips and life advice via instagram @digitalnomadsdaily

Connect with Nienke Nina on LinkedIn @Nienke Nina Keizer

Find Nienke Nina on Instagram @nienkeninatravels

Meet digital nomad Sandra

Check out her website: https://sandraabrouk.webflow.io/

Find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinriska-recruiter/ 

LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-abrouk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandra.abrouk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandraAbrouk

Other episodes you might like:

🎧  Episode #01: How to Thrive in your Digital Nomad Relationship with Anat & Orr

🎧  Episode #05: Dealing with High Anxiety While Building a Successful Online Business with The Remote Yogi

🎧  Episode #07: Overcoming Fears and Building Community with Digital Nomad Magali

🎧 Episode #21: 10 Years Of Traveling The World With Daisy

109: How to Deal with Loneliness for Digital Nomads

“This lifestyle is not a contest. It’s about your life, it’s about what you want, how you wanna design it, and what makes you happy”

Key Takeaways from this Episode About Dealing with Loneliness for Digital Nomads

Choosing the Right Nomad Location

Selecting a digital nomad-friendly location is crucial to avoid loneliness. Certain places attract like-minded individuals, enhancing your chances of forming meaningful connections. Nienke shares her experience in Malta, where her expectations of a thriving nomad community weren’t met due to the timing of her visit. She emphasizes the importance of choosing destinations with active nomad communities during the appropriate season for optimal social interactions.

Joining Digital Nomad Communities

Engaging with digital nomad communities, both online and offline, can significantly alleviate loneliness. Nienke discusses the power of Facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, meetup platforms, and events organized by co-working spaces. Sharing a photo and introducing yourself in these groups can facilitate meaningful connections. She provides advice on using search functions to find like-minded individuals and recommends being proactive in seeking out events and meetups.

Professional Connections Matter

Forming connections within your professional field can provide a sense of camaraderie and understanding. If you share similar career paths, conversations about work-related topics can create rapport and ease conversations. Nienke suggests seeking out individuals who work in your industry or profession to foster connections that are not solely based on personal interests.

Volunteering and Offline Activities

Participating in local activities like volunteering, beach cleanups, and local events can help you meet people and contribute positively to the community. Nienke shares her experiences in connecting with fellow participants during these activities. Even though not everyone is a digital nomad, these interactions can provide a sense of belonging and fulfilment.

Revisiting Favorite Places

Returning to places where you’ve felt a sense of belonging can alleviate loneliness. Nienke recounts her experiences in cafes and hostels where she was recognized from previous visits, providing a feeling of being welcomed back. Nostalgia and familiarity can contribute to a stronger connection with a location and its people.

Understanding Personal Loneliness Triggers

Getting to know yourself and understanding how you experience loneliness is essential for managing it. Nienke advises being self-aware and recognizing the signs of loneliness. She encourages listeners to have strategies in place to address these feelings, whether it’s revisiting familiar places, joining events, or connecting online.

Cultivating Independence and Self-Care

Even in a relationship, it’s important to cultivate individual friendships and activities to avoid overdependence on a partner. Nienke highlights the significance of maintaining personal interests, attending classes alone, and nurturing your own well-being. She empowers listeners to prioritize self-care and choose activities that bring them joy, reminding them that designing their nomadic journey is a personal endeavor.

Connect with Nienke Nina

Your host Nienke Nina

More digital nomad tips and life advice via instagram @digitalnomadsdaily

Connect with Nienke Nina on LinkedIn @Nienke Nina Keizer

Find Nienke Nina on Instagram @nienkeninatravels

Other episodes you might like:

🎧  Episode #01: How to Thrive in your Digital Nomad Relationship with Anat & Orr

🎧  Episode #05: Dealing with High Anxiety While Building a Successful Online Business with The Remote Yogi

🎧  Episode #07: Overcoming Fears and Building Community with Digital Nomad Magali

🎧 Episode #21: 10 Years Of Traveling The World With Daisy

108: How to Build a Work-From-Anywhere Culture Successfully with Adrian, Head of Culture at Safetywing

“Every culture is constantly evolving and it evolves by the actions of the people who are a part of that culture”

Meet Adrian, Head of Culture at Safetywing

Safetywing is a company that has built a remote work culture successfully and Adrian is the Head of Culture. During the pandemic he lived the digital nomad lifestyle and he is currently based in Medellin, Colombia. You might know Safetywing already because they provide affordable travel and health insurance for digital nomads and remote workers living abroad. 

As a mutli-culture company it’s important to understand the challenges of remote work from different angles. Safetying is a leading company when it comes to create a positive remote work experience for employees and he shares insights on how they created their company values and mission and guidelines for communication between team members.

While many digital nomads have entrepreneurial minds and choose to be self-employed, remote workers are on the rise and there are digital nomads who prefer to have a remote job instead. This episode will give you the insights to better understand the company from a culture perspective. This is helpful information if you want to work from anywhere and have the flexibility to move around but aren’t sure what type of companies hire digital nomads.

Key Takeaways from Adrian’s Interview about building a work-from-anywhere culture successfully

1. Focus on your people and their happiness

Safetywing is a company that is doing a great job with remote work culture. They have a happy team with an average internal net promoter score of nine and their team members feel a lot of ownership for the company.

2. Create clear and actionable company values

When evaluating a remote company’s culture, look for clear, actionable company values. Avoid vague values like “people first” and look for values that provide a tool for decision-making.

3. Look beyond skills, focus on hiring great people

A company’s culture starts with hiring great people who are naturally aligned with the company’s mission, vision, and values. Safetywing focuses on hiring for expertise, talent, and culture.

4. Lead with compassion

Being compassionate with other team members is important in remote work culture. This means understanding that team members may be in different time zones, have kids, or be tired, and being accommodating to their needs.

5. Give space for people to be authentic

One of Safetywing’s values is to “be authentic.” This means being the same on the outside as you are on the inside and being brave enough to say what you think is true instead of what other people want to hear.

6. Make your mission worthy

When evaluating a remote company’s culture, look for a worthy mission that you can get behind. For example, Safetywing’s mission is to create the first country on the internet to ensure equal freedom and equal opportunity.

7. Communication is key

Communication is key in remote work culture. Safetywing fosters good communication by having one-on-one meetings with everyone in the company, having clear company values, and being compassionate with team members.

Connect with our Nienke Nina and our guests

Your host Nienke Nina

More digital nomad tips and life advice via instagram @digitalnomadsdaily

Connect with Nienke Nina on LinkedIn @Nienke Nina Keizer

Find Nienke Nina on Instagram @nienkeninatravels

Meet digital nomad Adrian 

Find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theadriansalazar/

Check out Safetywing: https://safetywing.com/ 

 Other episodes you might like:

🎧 Episode #:75: The Life Changing Benefit Of Living Abroad With Nienke Nina

🎧 Episode #77: 5 Key Questions Before Starting A Side Hustle with Nienke Nina

🎧 Episode #79: How Side Hustles Boost Your Freedom Lifestyle Goals With Nienke Nina

107: How to Manage Your Daily Digital Nomad Expenses with Nienke Nina

“When you go into your goal setting, try to treat it still as you are human and you are also on this planet to enjoy life and to do the things that you love doing.”

Key Takeaways from Nina’s Solocast about Managing Your Digital Nomad Expenses

Building a Financial Safety Net

Having a financial safety net is essential for any digital nomad. It’s like having a cushion to fall back on during unexpected emergencies. This safety net provides peace of mind and ensures you can handle unforeseen situations without stress. Whether it’s a sudden job loss, a medical emergency, or an equipment breakdown, having enough money set aside gives you the freedom to navigate challenges and continue your nomadic lifestyle without being overwhelmed.

Distinguishing Fixed and Dynamic Costs

Understanding the difference between fixed and dynamic costs is crucial for effective money management. Fixed costs, like insurance, subscriptions, and software, are consistent expenses that you can plan for each month. On the other hand, dynamic costs, such as housing, transportation, and entertainment, can vary greatly depending on your location, season, and activities. Being aware of these distinctions helps you allocate your budget more accurately and avoid overspending.

Prioritizing Health and Travel Insurance

Investing in health and travel insurance is non-negotiable for digital nomads. Accidents and unexpected health issues can occur, and having adequate insurance coverage ensures you’re protected and won’t face financial stress while dealing with medical emergencies. Look for specialized digital nomad insurance providers like SafetyWing and Insured Nomads, and consider both health and travel coverage to have comprehensive protection.

Minimizing Subscription Expenses

While individual subscriptions like streaming services, software, and gym memberships might seem insignificant, they can add up quickly over time. Being mindful of these expenses and regularly evaluating whether you truly need each subscription can help you save a significant amount of money. Consider sharing subscriptions with others to reduce costs, and opt for annual plans when possible to save money and simplify accounting.

Budgeting for Housing and Transportation

Housing and transportation costs can vary greatly based on your location, season, and travel style. Creating a budget for each location or setting a daily spending limit helps you control your expenses and prevents overspending. If you’re frequently changing locations, consider budgeting for housing on a per-location basis to account for different price ranges and seasonal fluctuations.

Money Goals Beyond Location

Setting realistic and meaningful money goals is essential for a fulfilling digital nomad lifestyle. Avoid basing your money goals solely on the cost of living in a particular location. Instead, focus on your overall well-being, future aspirations, and the experiences you want to have. Consider factors like personal growth, experiences, and financial stability when setting your money goals to ensure they align with your values and aspirations.

Balancing Financial Planning and Enjoyment

Effective money management doesn’t mean sacrificing the enjoyment of your digital nomad lifestyle. It’s about finding a balance between responsible financial planning and making the most of your experiences. Prioritize spending on meaningful experiences and activities that bring you joy, while also being mindful of your budget and making informed decisions to prevent financial stress. Remember, the goal is to create a fulfilling and sustainable nomadic journey.

Connect with Your host Nienke Nina

More digital nomad tips and life advice via instagram @digitalnomadsdaily

Connect with Nienke Nina on LinkedIn @Nienke Nina Keizer

Find Nienke Nina on Instagram @nienkeninatravels

Other episodes you might like:

🎧  Episode #01: How to Thrive in your Digital Nomad Relationship with Anat & Orr

🎧  Episode #05: Dealing with High Anxiety While Building a Successful Online Business with The Remote Yogi

🎧  Episode #07: Overcoming Fears and Building Community with Digital Nomad Magali

🎧 Episode #21: 10 Years Of Traveling The World With Daisy