Digital nomadism is about so much more than just working from a beach on a Tuesday – it's about having the freedom to design your perfect life. This vision of a free life is about more than being a full time traveller, its about no longer living for the weekends but shaping your life around the things you love the most. It's choosing your work hours and your location for getting the job done.
 
When I was travelling in Australia, I was really inspired by the attitude to life over there. Aussies really work to live instead of living to work and it's apparent in their enthusiasm for seizing the day and never waiting for the weekend. When faced with hustle culture, it can be difficult to maintain this attitude to life, but finding pockets of joy in the everyday is so vital to living a purposeful and happy life.
 
I'm Lucy, a solo travel expert from the UK who has spent a decade travelling and working as a digital nomad. I've explored over 50 countries and I'm passionate about combining adventures with slower, more intentional travel that allows us to connect on a deeper level with the communities we visit. In this series, I'll introduce you to digital nomads who have turned to a remote lifestyle for many reasons and from a range of backgrounds to explore an alternative way of living and working online. They'll share insight into what they have gained from this remote lifestyle and the lessons they've learned along the way.
 

The Essentials for  Aspiring Digital Nomads

Before we get into the interview, don't forget to check out these articles if you're thinking of becoming a digital nomad. They're packed with useful tips and actionable advice for making the remote laptop lifestyle your reality.

If you are considering digital nomad life, you will need a travel insurance policy as your safety net. SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance Essential provides coverage in 175+ countries, and they've recently expanded coverage to include adventure sports and electronics theft too. My favourite thing about the policy, as a digital nomad, is that I can add-on electronic theft insurance for up to $3000 worth of electronic valuables. This is HUGE for someone whose entire life and business is their laptop, camera, phone and tech. They also cover:

  • Meals & accommodations if you have a travel delay over 12 hours
  • Emergency dental care up to $1000
  • Medical care including prescriptions, emergency care and hospital stays
  • Coverage for lost checked luggage
  • Flights home if something bad happens
  • Continued coverage for visits back home
  • Coverage for motor accidents
  • Coverage for injuries from leisure sports & activities

If you need coverage for a longer period, you might consider looking at their Complete plan - includes all Essential features, plus comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, most countries in the world, including in your home country.

Read my full blog post on Choosing Travel Insurance for Solo Female Travellers

Interview with a Digital Nomad

 
I'm really excited to introduce my next guest in my Digital Nomad Interview series, someone I've been following for years and who has really inspired me with her journey from 9-to-5 to digital nomad life in Bali, to solo vanlife and now to her adventures in the Philippines. Amy Nicholson made a bold decision— quitting her 9-to-5 marketing agency role and set off in search of something more. Fast forward to now and she's a full-time digital nomad who has worked from all over the world for 8 years. She's worked from her self-converted van, beachside cafes, and tropical co-working spaces - all while doing what she loves. She works hard, but she does it on her terms. 
 
Amy also started her business, The Free Life, as a way to inspire and connect with other people who want to step away from the norm and create a life of balance. This online guide is here to help others design a life where they thrive and redefine success to match their values. Amy is on a mission to help others break free and design a life that makes them feel alive.
 

What first inspired you to try digital nomadism?

I’m Amy, a UK-born marketeer who swapped London’s fast-paced city life for something more meaningful. After years of long commutes, a tiny flat, and living for the weekends, I hit burnout. I was tired of investing my time and money into a lifestyle that didn’t make me happy. So, I made a bold decision—I quit my 9-to-5 marketing agency role and set off in search of something more. My journey took me around the world, but it was in Bali that I discovered a lifestyle I hadn’t realised was possible.
 
Surrounded by digital nomads working from laptops in paradise, I knew I wanted the same: freedom, flexibility, and fulfilment. I went freelance as a marketing consultant, determined to build a career that allowed me to live the life I dreamed of. Fast forward to now, and I’ve worked with global clients, grown a successful freelance business, and traveled across the UK, Europe, and the tropics. I’ve worked from my self-converted van, beachside cafes, and tropical co-working spaces - all while doing what I love. I work hard, but I do it on my terms. 

What is your approach to digital nomadism?

I have done it all!
  • I have lived overseas in places like Bali
  • I have travelled whilst I've worked - backpacking Asia and in my campervan around Europe and the UK
  • I've lived a remote life in the UK

I tend to follow what my heart wants at any given time, which is why I love what I do - because I have the freedom and flexibility to choose. Sometimes I need routine, sometimes I crave adventure.

What have been your favourite destinations digital nomad?

Bali is very well set up to be a digital nomad, but I also loved working from my van - it was amazing to travel somewhere new every day but to have the comfort of my own office on wheels. I am loving working from the Philippines at the moment too - the digital nomad community is bigger than ever before, so its exciting to be experiencing it whilst I am here.

What has been your least favourite destination?

I don't think I have one!
 

What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a digital nomad?

Loneliness – because it's not always easy to have the energy to make new friends all the time. To be honest, quite often I like keeping myself to myself, but as a remote worker it can be tough being such a hermit. This is why I started The Free Life! Also, when travelling it can be hard to deal with time zones with my UK clients, and also the stigma that people STILL don't think we actually work.
 

What do you love the most about being a digital nomad?

The freedom and flexibility to not let work dictate my life, but the other way around - it fits in around my life.

What do you think about digital nomad visas? Would you consider one to stay longer in a destination?

Absolutely! I'm actually waiting for the Philippines Digital Nomad visa to be approved. It's such a great way to live in low cost places, for long periods of time to get into routines and settle a bit, but to also be able to work.
 

Is digital nomadism what you expected? Has it changed for you since you first started out? 

It has definitely boomed since I first started - so many more co-working spaces have popped up around the world, as well as more remote working positions, which is great. Everybody should be able to experience this lifestyle if they want to! And as the world goes more digital, why not? I work harder for my clients because I'm happier - I am all for this being more widely accepted!
 

How do you cope with loneliness as a digital nomad? How do you find community?

If I am staying in a place for a while, I join the Whatsapp / Facebook groups, and go to the co-works - this is a great way of meeting people off the bat.
 

Any advice for aspiring digital nomads?

  • Test the waters before fully committing. Take a "workcation" or spend a month in a new location to see if it suits your lifestyle and work habits.
  • Invest in your skills: The ability to work remotely hinges on having skills in demand!
  • Build a financial cushion - this lifestyle (and self employment) can be unpredictable.
  • Prioritise community: Being a digital nomad can feel isolating. Seek co-working spaces, local meet-ups, or digital nomad groups to stay connected. This is exactly why I started The Free Life! Come join us in the community there!

What did "building your dream life" look like to you?

For me, digital nomadism isn’t just about travel; it’s about designing a life where freedom and fulfilment coexist. The Free Life embodies this ethos - being "time-rich" means having control over your time, choosing how to spend it, and focusing on what truly matters. This shift in my life began with the realisation that I didn’t want to live for weekends or holidays. I wanted every day to feel intentional and aligned with my values: creativity, adventure, and connection. It’s about more than just work; it’s about curating a lifestyle that energises you.
 
Society has also evolved. The pandemic showed us that work isn’t tied to a location anymore, and people are questioning what truly brings them joy. It’s no longer just about career success but about holistic success - work, relationships, and personal growth. Building my dream life meant redefining what success looked like for me. I downsized, simplified, and prioritised experiences over possessions. It’s an ongoing journey, but the freedom to wake up and choose how to spend my time is priceless.
 

What do you see for the future of digital nomadism?

For me, I see a future where The Free Life grows into a movement. I want to inspire more people to take control of their time and create lives they love - whether through freelancing workshops, coaching, or hosting retreats that help people unplug and reconnect with what matters.
 
On a broader scale, I see digital nomadism becoming more mainstream. With remote work on the rise and countries introducing visas for digital nomads, this lifestyle is more accessible than ever. But I think the future will also focus more on sustainability and community - finding ways to travel and live responsibly, give back to local economies, and build meaningful connections wherever we go.
 
Follow Amy on Instagram and TikTok