Work has always been a central part of human life. On the one hand, it provides economic security, and on the other, it can offer a sense of purpose and meaning—or at least it should. For some, work is a fulfilling and meaningful daily, weekly and overall human experience. But for the rest, work has become a source of alienation, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and boredom.
In today’s world, there’s an explosion of jobs that feel increasingly disconnected from meaning. Many people take on these roles for a higher salary or to maintain a certain social image, even if the work itself feels hollow. Take „social media engagement coordinators“, for example. Their job revolves around engineering artificial interactions—boosting likes, fabricating comments, and tailoring strategies to please algorithms—all to make brands appear more popular than they are. Then there are „luxury brand consultants“, who cater to the ultra-wealthy, helping them decide between a matte or glossy finish on a luxury item. Their work perpetuates extreme consumerism, feeding the illusion that material possessions define success. And let’s not forget „data entry clerks“ who spend their days mindlessly inputting information into systems that, with modern technology, could and should be fully automated, making their roles feel redundant and devoid of real impact.
Work, in this sense, has become a spectacle—a performance we put on rather than something that truly fulfills us. Over time, work has turned into an inevitability, a system where individual freedom feels limited. We no longer live life as an art form; instead, we’re trapped in automation and routine, often forgetting what our real goals are. We’ve ended up living to work, rather than the opposite.
However, a shift is happening, and many people are all aboard. Younger generations are challenging this pattern and redefining what work should be. They’re searching for ways to break free from the traditional 8-hour work grind and create a more balanced life. If you continue reading, will find out who are digital nomads, how they are redefining the definition of work and what are the benefits of becoming one. But, I must warn you there are negative side effects as well of this popular phenomenon.
From nomads to office workers – is 9 to 5 winning?
Historically, humans were mostly nomads, hanters and gatherers for the most of their history. Their movement was tied to survival, particularly through hunting and later herding, but also often even agriculture demanded moving as soil would often become exausted after a few years and farmers needed to moved in search of a new, fertile grounds. Over time, as societies evolved, so did the nature of work. Fast forward to today, and the most significant movement in our lives—aside from vacations, or visiting family and friends—is often tied to finding a job.
We move to new cities or countries not for exploration or adventure, but mainly for economic opportunities. It is not a shock that our environment has become heavily influenced by capitalism. We work to make money, and we move to find work. This cycle has left many feeling trapped in a system that prioritizes productivity over personal fulfillment. That’s why as a result, in the context of technological revolution, we have digital nomads.
The rise of digital nomadism: WiFi, wanderlust, and work!
Enter digital nomadism—a growing trend among young people that’s reshaping how we think about work and life. Digital nomads are, as their name suggests, individuals who work digitally, and move around: traveling while working and vice versa. And all they need to work is a laptop and a fairly quiet place with stable Internet.
This trend, or a lifestyle if you prefer, is becoming more and more common, particularly in the United States. To be specific, the digital nomad population in the USA has seen a 112% increase from 2019 and a 42% increase from 2020, driven largely by the shift to remote work during the pandemic. Thus, it is estimated that by 2035 there will be a billion digital nomads in the world. So, digital nomads are becoming quite important for the development of the modern economy because they are entrepreneurs who can do business in any place, at any time, which creates additional incentives for doing business.
Sexy glossy instant appeal of digital nomadism
The first thing that comes to my mind, and perhaps is the biggest advantage of digital nomadism, is traveling around the world and getting to know different cultures and meeting exciting new people. A desire for flexibility and mobility that is at its peak when you are young, is finally satisfied.When somebody asks you why are you traveling, business or pleasure, the answer is always both. And for many this means freedom, living life, not feeling like it’s passing by. This breaks the vicious circle of cultural movement for the sake of making money, as its purpose is rather discovering the world and oneself.
The additional advantage is, of course, flexible working hours. Nothing is traditional, and everything is reorganized but still works for some. In this way, work is a part of the journey, not the sole focus of it. Traditional jobs often lack a balance between business and pleasure, while digital nomadism offers an alternative. And when you find that fine spot, it is hard to go back.
It’s true! Countries are changing laws to benefit digital nomads
Because of advancements in digital technology, work flexibility and physical mobility that digital nomadism provides, many young people are exploring and implementing this way of living, and not only them. As a result, there is a significant rise of coworking spaces. Digital nomads highly regard coworking spaces as a place to connect with like-minded individuals, fostering lifestyle-based relationships while traveling. Also, coworking spaces are one of the main parameters while choosing their next destination. Therefore, by creating coworking spaces, many cities are trying to attract digital nomad tourists and ensure a space for new local businesses like start-ups for example.
Due to this fast-growing community of digital nomads, and their importance for digital and local economy, countries are also changing some regulations. Many governments have implemented specialized visa programs aimed at attracting digital nomads, acknowledging their ability to boost local economies and stimulate business growth.
Croatia, for example, has established a clear legal framework for digital nomads, enabling them to work remotely for foreign companies without being required to provide services to local employers. This approach facilitates the integration of digital nomads into the local economy while ensuring adherence to legal requirements.
Before you jump in, here’s the catch…
First and obvious, being a digital nomad is not everybody’s cup of tea – it is not always easy and glamorous, and you don’t always find „your people“ while traveling and having „a blast“. Working from wherever and whenever sounds amazing at first but we also need to question is this type of working is sustainable in the long run.
Many digital nomads often engage in freelance or gig economy work. This employment type is marked by flexibility but also by a lack of traditional job benefits, contributing to a sense of economic insecurity despite the perceived freedom. Thereby, digital nomads – predominantly from wealthy countries – do not work in unstable jobs without essential benefits such as healthcare, retirement plans, unemployment insurance, or family leave.
There is not only risk for the digital workers but the community they live in as well. This kind of work can lead to gentrification. What does that mean? The arrival of digital nomads usually increases the cost of living. This happens because there’s a big difference in income between digital nomads and locals. For example, a local fisherman in Spain earns much less than a remote freelancer living in Spain but working for a German company. However, both shop at the same stores, pay the same prices, and have access to the same housing options. Over time, this drives up costs, making life increasingly expensive and unfair, especially for the natives.
After reading snack
In this article, we’ve explored a lot of important perspectives, but now I’d love to hear your thoughts. What do you think? Ask yourself is digital nomadism the future of work, or is it just a passing trend? Would you do it, and why? What needs to be done in order to make digital nomadism a youth’s utopian way of working and living? Is it even possible?
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