Balancing Freedom, Avoiding Burnout: Navigating the Digital Nomad Lifestyle

Author: Cartagena, Colombia

The allure of the digital nomad lifestyle is undeniable—freedom to work from anywhere, explore new cultures, and escape the traditional 9-to-5 grind. However, while this lifestyle offers incredible opportunities, it also comes with its own set of challenges, including the risk of burnout. I found myself as a digital nomad, on the brink of complete burn-out and I had to make big changes immediately.

Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

It’s hard to want to respond to signs of potential burnout when you’re traveling and seeing the world. I initially thought I was having a hard time adjusting to the lifestyle. Being a digital nomad requires high levels of planning and organization. At least if you plan to move on a regular basis. I moved from country to country every six to eight weeks sometimes shorter periods of time. I was also managing various clients on different time zones, scheduling time to work, scheduling tours and excursions, upcoming travel plans, etc. So, I didn’t recognize soon enough that I needed to cut back on everything – work, travel, and planning. I didn’t want to ruin my experience by getting sick and having to return home sooner than I planned. So, I re-engaged my travel planner, reduced my client load, and halted travel for a few months. This made a big difference.  

Prioritize Self-Care

The digital nomad lifestyle creates the illusion of the ultimate self-care life. And it is…most times. But ultimately, if you are still working while traveling, you’re actually not on vacation. I remember being on a Zoom call and everyone was sharing their vacation plans, and I remember thinking to myself “When have I actually had a vacation?” That was when I realized that self-care had to be void of work even as a digital nomad. The lifestyle is slightly different because I am shaping my schedule but still, I am working.

So then I began to schedule actual vacation. This was extended periods of time when I was not available to clients. I was off the clock and somewhere enjoying myself void of any pending meetings or emails to be drafted. Incorporating vacation time back into my schedule was a great way to fully rest and recharge to ultimately boost my productivity.  

Set Boundaries

When your workspace is anywhere in the world with a Wi-Fi connection, it's easy for work to infiltrate every aspect of your life. I not only set work boundaries, but I have also created some travel boundaries as well. If I plan to do a lot of moving around from country to country or city to city, I take time off. If I know I will need more time on a project, I limit my travel during that time so I can focus on work and not on all the logistics of moving. (Technically speaking, I have moved twenty times over the past 14 months) 

Embrace Flexibility

While setting boundaries is important, the beauty of the digital nomad lifestyle lies in its flexibility. I work to embrace this flexibility by allowing for spontaneity and adjusting my plans as needed. A fellow digital nomad, my travel coordinator and therapist. have encouraged me to do more often I am making some progress. A few weeks ago, while in Cali, Colombia a group of friends decided on a week-long trip to Santa Marta, Colombia, a lovely beach town on the Caribbean coast. Normally, I would’ve just gone back to Medellin because it meant last minute planning. But I decided to live a little and made last-minute travel arrangements joining them on a lovely and relaxing stay. And I was even able to get a great hike in the Minca area. This lifestyle literally has no rules. So, everything is up to you. I am learning to embrace this level of flexibility in deeper ways so that I can fully enjoy the experience.  

Regularly Evaluate and Adjust

Burnout is an ongoing risk and as a digital nomad your circumstances may change frequently. I regularly evaluate how I’m feeling, about my work-life balance, and the strategies I’m using to manage burnout. I also ask myself if I am still enjoying the lifestyle. I question if there is something that needs to change to make things more manageable. I also listen to friends and family who think I may be doing too much or over planning. This is a growing edge because I suffer from a “no-limits” mindset. This is why a supportive network is important to help keep you accountable.

Being a digital nomad necessitates effectively addressing burnout, which is crucial for sustaining a rewarding and balanced lifestyle. My decision to embrace this lifestyle wasn't driven by the desire to miss out on exploring the diverse countries and cities I visit or to compromise my well-being while traveling. Reassessing the balance between work and personal life and cultivating a strong support system are fundamental to obtaining complete enjoyment from this lifestyle. In fact, I believe these principles are valuable for anyone, regardless of whether they are running a business or living abroad.

About the Author: Wanda Scott is the founder and principal consultant of Wanda Scott & Associates. Wanda has over 22 years of nonprofit and fundraising experience. Wanda has earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) professional designation, and a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) in Feminist Interpretations of the New Testament from Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

She is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and is currently a digital nomad traveling the world.