At a certain point in their vagabonding career, most digital nomads make the shift to being digital slowmads. This lifestyle still involves spending significant chunks of time travelling. However, it cuts out the constant chopping and changing. Instead, they max out the amount of time they can spend in each region and live a life that’s a sort of hybrid between living like a traveler and living like a local. This gives them better deals on everything from their apartment rental and coworking space to their airfares and food expenses. However, the benefits extend far beyond cost savings.
Still not convinced? These five reasons to become a digital slowmad might just persuade you to embrace this beautiful, immersive lifestyle:
1. Cultural Immersion
Most travelers want to fully immerse themselves in a country’s culture, traditions, languages, and more. Each town and city has its own unique charm, and by staying longer, you can enrich your experience of it. Slow travel allows you to connect with locals, discover hidden gems, and enjoy more than just the tourist highlights.
2. Giving Back
Some places are no longer ideal destinations for eco-conscious nomads due to the issues tourism is causing. Great examples of this are Hawaii and Majorca. However, there are countries where visiting can be of huge benefit to local communities, especially if you are open to giving back.
Volunteering with animal sanctuaries, community projects and charities is much more possible when you slow travel. You not only have time to commit, but you also have time to get an understanding of projects that may open up to you after you connect with locals.
3. Much Less Stress
More than 90% of Americans find travel stressful. As a nomadic freelancer, these same feelings can mount up. Quick holidays combined with work calls and the chaos of life can be overwhelming. Slow travel eases that stress, giving you time to balance work, life, and travel without the rush. You can totally immerse yourself in the area at your own pace, all while maintaining career growth.
4. Human Connection
Over 60% of freelancers say they often feel lonely. Quick trips abroad don’t really offer the opportunity to make new connections, but slow travel absolutely does. In fact, you will find thriving slow travelling freelancer communities you didn’t know existed. Entire crowds of potential best friends, collaborators, and connections have all embraced a slower pace.
When you slow travel, you can network with those who know exactly what you’re going through. You also have a chance to get to know locals and make lasting friendships. It’s a fountain of opportunity for human connection, and a big reason some freelancers choose to slow travel.
5. Money Saving
Around one in three Americans in employment are living paycheck to paycheck, and freelancers are struggling just as much. With this in mind, many are turning to slow travel as a way to cut down on their expenses. Slow travelling as a freelancer means potentially renting out your house in your home country and gaining from that extra income. It means getting cheaper rates with long-term accommodation in the country you travel to, as you can get residential contracts and not just holiday lets.
You could also benefit from places that have a cheaper cost-of-living, all while you save money from your freelancing gigs. It’s worth considering if you can work remotely, your current lifestyle is expensive, and you have a desire to travel.
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all. – Helen Keller
Slow and steady really does win this race. Are you ready to satisfy your wanderlust and become a digital slowmad?
