In Germany, people who left the welfare system in search of adventure were called ‘Aussteigers’. This implied that they would ‘leave’ one day and ‘come home’. In 20 years, new graduates are eager to leave the west for a job abroad as a digital nomadic. The ones who succeed often retain the benefits of their country while living an endless holiday. Is it possible to live a digital nomad life as a couple or if you have partnered up?
The short answer is yes. You can travel the world, live on different islands, and stay in last-minute, affordable hotels for eternity. There will be challenges and it all depends on the kind of relationship that you have. You should also consider whether you have skills that allow you to earn money remotely. Remember that digital nomads tend to be entrepreneurs and you will find it hard to meet someone with the same passion for this lifestyle.
Are you both entrepreneurial?
It is nice to have someone with you, but extra luggage can get tiresome. This is especially true when you are trying to establish yourself abroad. It can be very tiresome to sort out another person’s visa when they don’t want to bother.
Let’s say that your partner is naturally outgoing and enjoys networking at events and meetups. You may be more anxious about small talk or exchanging contact information if you’re apprehensive. This means your partner is more likely to bring in new clients. This is a problem because all relationships include some level of competition and you both work in the same industry. Nobody should feel comfortable with being someone else’s ‘ball and chains’.
Do you rely on each other for much?
As a digital nomad starting out, you may not have the budget to support a second person. This type of dependency will also weigh you down over time.
When I meet two digital nomads that make it work they are usually equally successful. The one may run a website, and the other might be a SEO expert who also does some modeling work on the side. If they have a good overlap of expertise, then they can use each other’s networks and these nomad lifestyle jobs become much easier. If one person is completely dependent on the other it can also work well. But I wouldn’t call this a “digital nomad pair”.
Digital nomads working together
Many travel vloggers/bloggers work together. One person is the ‘face’ of the channel while the other takes care of cameras and post production. It works well because you both have a similar goal of gaining subscribers and views.
I met a couple on Bali who presented an extremely professional facade to the rest of the world, as they ran an online consulting firm. The couple would not reveal their relationship with outsiders or even customers. But it worked well for them. Both of them had already achieved professional success before they met. She worked for Facebook for several years and he was a digital account executive.
Realistically I believe they work for a few hours and then spend the rest playing with their dogs and surfing on their iPads, while having a massage or getting some food. The couple is a true digital nomad in every sense of the term.
A couple starting a career as digital nomads
This is probably the most difficult thing for you to do. You will struggle to gain traction. It’s not impossible but we have all seen couples like this. They are excited about the possibility of traveling indefinitely and try to extend their gap year by becoming overnight experts at shopify or bitcoin. It can be frustrating when you are unable to earn a steady income or paycheck. Most of the time, money runs out even before you make any progress.
Be realistic if you are in this situation. Do not waste your time or money browsing Fiverr, or thinking about remote jobs with Google (there’s too little work and the pay is terrible). Structure your approach to the next few days.
Set yourself deadlines and choose a specific sector. You may not yet have the skills or subscribers to support your business. It will be months before you are able to monetize. You are miles ahead of your competition if you and your partner are both comfortable with the idea.
A roadmap is essential for all good ideas, or they will remain just ideas. Start learning, whether it’s copywriting, video-editing or whatever else you want to do remotely. Don’t be afraid to start working with clients once you have acquired the required skills. As you build your portfolio, tell them that you’re willing to do work for free.
The ability to sell yourself remotely is one of your most valuable skills. Taking on the first clients is a skill that is in and of itself invaluable. These early clients become your first promoters when they are satisfied. They will be the ones who put you in contact with your magical paying clients. You are on the right track to becoming a successful digital nomadic when you reach this point. You’ve both hit the ground running if you have done this together. You are awesome!
Don’t be Digital Nomads Together, but Be Digital Nomads Together
To conclude, I have found that the most successful digital nomads are in committed relationships. They are, in essence, living as digital nomads together. This proves it’s not only possible, but you are much more likely as a couple to succeed over the long-term. You and your partner will have a greater level of empathy, as you are both facing the same challenges.
Plus, online veterans thrive off their networks. By combining your own network with that of your partner, everything becomes easier. Most of these professionals are in their 30s and older, but they are all experienced professionals with valuable skills.
All the forums and groups that I belong to are full of teenagers who dream about working from home in Thailand or want to “become digital Nomads” by selling t-shirts through shopify. They ask with an overly hopeful tone if someone can give them some pointers.
As with any other business, the online world has grown and matured. You can’t be successful without dedication, focus, and good old-fashioned hard work. As your number of paying clients increases and you become more proficient, the benefits of becoming a Digital Nomad begin to show. Making a living on your own is difficult enough for beginners. It is nearly impossible to be in a relationship and in another country without having a marketable skill.