The Hidden Challenges of Being a Digital Nomad (and How I Deal with Them)

By Richard | Budget Nomad

Being a digital nomad is often seen as the ultimate dream: working from a beachside café, hopping between exotic destinations, and living a life free from the constraints of a 9-to-5 office job. And to be honest, it can be all that—but it’s not without its challenges.

After more than two and a half years as a full-time online English teacher, I’ve experienced both the freedom and the frustrations of this lifestyle. In this blog, I want to lift the curtain and share the realities of being a digital nomad, especially when your work is location-dependent—even when your lifestyle is not.

hy Being a Digital Nomad Isn't Always Easy

Let’s start with the basics. Yes, this lifestyle is rewarding. You get to:

• Explore new cultures

• Meet people from around the world

• Live in destinations most people only dream about

• Earn a living while traveling

But here’s the truth:

Balancing work and travel is incredibly hard.

You don’t just “work from anywhere.” You have to work from somewhere with reliable Wi-Fi, a quiet environment, a stable power supply, and a schedule that matches your clients or students. For me, that means adapting to Chinese time zones, which presents a whole set of problems.

1. Work vs. Leisure: The Never-Ending Battle

The biggest challenge? Work and leisure don't mix. One will always dominate the other. And when you’re trying to fund your travels with freelance or remote work, work usually wins.

As an online teacher, my day revolves around my bookings. I often start teaching at 6:00 AM and continue until early afternoon. That means from 12 PM to 6 PM, I’m locked inside a hotel room, often in a noisy environment, trying to concentrate on lessons while others are out exploring.

2. Internet and Power: Your Lifelines on the Road

Let’s talk tech.

Most people assume internet access is a given in 2025. It’s not.

In many places I’ve visited—Uganda, Nepal, India—Wi-Fi is unreliable at best and non-existent at worst. And power? I once stayed somewhere in Africa where power was only available 3 hours a day.

In those moments, power banks are life-saving, and your mobile device becomes your office. I teach audio-only lessons via my phone, which helps, but even that requires a charged phone, strong signal, and peace and quiet.

3. The Noise Factor: Not All Rooms Are Quiet

Have you ever tried to teach a class while a rickshaw horn is blasting outside? Welcome to India.

Staying within budget often means compromising on silence. Many budget hotels are located in loud, central areas or near roads. While I’ve managed, it’s not ideal—and definitely not sustainable for everyone.

4. Time Zones and Travel Schedules

Working across time zones can completely disrupt your travel plans.

For example, when I’m in Turkey, I have to teach in the afternoons and evenings to suit my Chinese students’ schedule. That means I can’t check in to hotels when I need to (hotel check-in is usually 1–2 PM), and I often end up teaching from hotel lobbies or cafés while waiting for rooms.

In contrast, teaching from Southeast Asia is easier because the time zone aligns with my work. I can finish teaching in the morning, check out, and enjoy the rest of the day.

5. Income Fluctuations: Feast or Famine

Online teaching isn’t a stable job. It’s seasonal. Students disappear during holidays or exam seasons, and bookings can drop without warning. That means I have to teach every day when work is available—just to make sure I’ve got enough income to cover slow months.

That also means I don’t always get to see the places I visit. If you’ve watched my videos and wondered why I skipped some sites—it’s probably because I had to teach, or simply couldn’t afford the transport that day.

6. Planning is Key: What You Need to Think About

If you’re considering the digital nomad lifestyle, especially if you’re a teacher, coach, or remote worker with appointments, plan everything. Ask yourself:

• Does this country have stable internet?

• What’s the electricity situation?

• Are hotels quiet and check-in times flexible?

• What are the transportation costs like?

• Does the time zone match your work schedule?

  
  

Final Thoughts: It’s Worth It, But Be Realistic

Yes, this lifestyle is amazing—but only if you’re prepared. If you think digital nomad life means sitting on a beach with a laptop, you’ll quickly run into problems. But if you plan well, adapt, and accept that you won’t see everything, you can make it work.

Work smart, travel slow, and manage your expectations.

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