The Longer I Work Remotely, the Less I Care About The Aesthetics of Digital Nomad

If you had asked me almost 18 years ago, the reason why I wanted to be a digital nomad was because I like to combine working and traveling. While I made the dream come true, I was only molding myself through the "Digital Nomad" aesthetic. It involves working with Macbook from Bali preferably and having a more balanced lifestyle where you have it all; community, lifestyle, and a good spiritual life. The thing is, I learned that type of digital nomadism is basically escaping their 9-5 in search for more flexible life. As I grow older, that is no longer the mold I want to be and truthfully, wasn't the conclusion I come into.

I've never worked a 9-5 jobs unlike many digital nomads I encountered during my travels. I've always been a freelancer and entrepreneur through and through. Only recently, I joined a company and work in a boutique consulting firm. So, I have the switched experience where I get too tired with having too much freedom and wanting to taste 9-5.

I thought I'd actually taste it but very minor experiences. It's still remote, flexible hours, has an element of adventure and freedom with not-so balanced lifestyle, which is quite arguable.

When I am talking about the aesthetics, back in the day it's mostly working from a pretty cafe, with an expensive latte and typically a full-gear office-ready. Some digital nomad especially in places like Bali, also emphasized on wearing some type of yoga outfit while working. The thing is these days I care less about how aesthetic cafe is but more about how comfortable working from inside of it. I care less about the price in general because all I care was to get things done.

Then there's also the minimalist digital nomad aesthetic, all black and white carrying very minimal items. I was caught up into those too until I just buy what fits, usable, and fits my budget rather than following certain aesthetic.

Now, my aesthetic is still working from cafe, the accommodation is being paid by the company, my cafe habit and food are being paid for. Yet, instead of constantly working from the laptop all day, I am responsible for stakeholder engagements, meeting people managing and consolidating the data. This is pretty exhaustive to me and which is why I am barely around here because my energy is spent on the busiest day.

At the same time, I am still navigating my life that has drastically changed these past few months. Sometimes, it gets so unpredictable because I couldn't find the pattern but once I do, things do get easier. It's almost like I can be anticipative about a lot of things. So, I am getting better at it and is looking for to stay within 48 months in this line or job or more.

So, do I have the work-life balance that most digital nomad crave for? Maybe. The thing is, every Sunday is non-negotiable for me to go to church, rest during the day and during the evening, I don't mind working to continue for the Monday because that's what most people in this line of job do, the count Sunday evening as already a Monday night which is the logic I find it hard to follow.