Living Life to the Full in Another Country
I just read an article with a theme that keeps popping up. The title was, “Living in Paradise but Profoundly Unhappy: How the Digital Nomad Dream Soured.” Many of these stories describe how the wandering life seems to offer happiness if you can just find the right mix of climate, cost of living, and cool vibes. The lure is strong. Pushed by the pandemic, downsizing, or the discovery that you can work from anywhere, people are relocating all over the world in search of adventure and satisfaction.
How many times have I said, “If I could only live in a place with _______?” Fill in the blank. Water, waves, beach access, warm winters, cheap food, slower pace of life. Take your pick.
But many people confuse living in a vacation destination with being on vacation. Vacations feel special because they are limited. Some of the “profound unhappiness” in these articles comes from misplaced expectations. People assume the change of scenery, climate, or activities will deliver an exotic and rewarding lifestyle day after day. For some, it does not. This may or may not be avoidable. It depends on the situation and the person. As the saying goes, your experience may differ. You might actually love it.
Over time, though, many digital nomads face a different challenge. Loneliness. People need community. The word “nomad” itself points to constant movement. That means always saying goodbye and hello. Often the only community nomads find is with others just like them. The more nomads there are, the more transitions there are. This gets old, even for the most extroverted. Time with people who know you well can be deeply restful, and the lack of it can lead to exhaustion.
One solution is choosing a place and committing to build friendships with people who stay put. If they are locals, even better. They can open doors into the language, culture, and rhythm of life in your new home. They know what is happening in town and can point you to events or learning opportunities. Most people love sharing what they know. The average local can tell you far more about their town than you realize, and the local expert or history nerd can tell you even more.
For people of faith, I recommend finding a community of faith to meet that need for real connection. If you are researching a location to spend a year or more as a digital nomad, why not add a column to your spreadsheet that helps you identify a local church or fellowship? We even know some organizations that can help with that, including ours here at Global Marketplace Multipliers. And who knows. Maybe then we will see an article about someone living in paradise but experiencing glimpses of Heaven on earth.
For more information on finding community and serving meaningfully while living abroad, contact GMM@gponline.org.