Digital nomadism seems less trendy than it once was, perhaps because many offices are recalling their employees back into the office now that the Covid-19 pandemic is mostly in the rear-view mirror (fingers crossed, and touching wood). 

For this reason, we see less cultural discussion about this new working norm outside of the usual niche communities dedicated to it. But you don’t have to be a full-time digital nomad to practice the lifestyle for a little while, nor should the practices they use be dismissed just because not everyone lives that lifestyle full-time.

Either way, digital nomads are all too happy to discuss their practices and experiences if asked. But for newcomers to this lifestyle, perhaps as a business owner trying to expand into further markets abroad, some of the smaller tips and realities of this productive choice aren’t so obvious, and can’t easily be communicated.

Well, in this guide we hope to reverse that, by offering three tips they rarely tell digital nomads going forward:

Hotel Quality Matters For Professional Purposes

Working remotely sounds great until you’re trying to lead a team meeting from a room with paper-thin walls and spotty WiFi connections. It’s true that budget travel can be fun, but when you need to get work done, a decent hotel such as extended stays with ROOST makes all the difference. Prioritize places with proper desks and good lighting if you have those necessary requirements, as you’ll thank yourself when you’re five hours into a workday. The location matters too because walking fifteen minutes for decent coffee or hunting for lunch during a packed schedule gets old fast, and you’ll be able to balance the comforts of this lifestyle more easily when they’re not out of reach all the time.

You Don’t Need To Situate In A Capital

Big cities get all the attention for those who care about digital nomadism, or at least sharing their lifestyle on social media, but smaller places often work out better for remote work. That’s because they tend to be quieter, cheaper, and less hectic. You’ll find good internet in most mid-sized cities these days, plus you won’t waste time stuck in traffic or dealing with tourist crowds. Sometimes these places have better community spaces too, including the kind where you can actually focus instead of competing for a power outlet with fifty other laptop warriors. On top of that, sometimes a burgeoning industry in a given city, outside of the standard powerhouse, can help you gain a unique perspective and find more growth opportunities.

You’re Better Off Keeping Somewhat Conventional Hours

The freedom to work whenever sounds amazing until you realize you’re having breakfast at dinner time and missing calls with your team back home. Keeping roughly normal hours helps you stay connected with colleagues and clients, but you won’t be turning your sleep schedule upside down or not managing your energy levels throughout the day as well as you could. For example, a morning of recreation feels less compelling when you know you have a full workday to do in the evening. Moreover, it’s easier to find good places to work during regular business hours when cafes are open and coworking spaces are running. Your body will appreciate the routine too.

With this advice, we hope you can enjoy digital nomadism, but not without nuance and insight first.