The Realities of Life as a Digital Nomad
For this issue of In Conversation With, we caught up with Gigi (@gigicolcol) to dig deeper into what life as a full time digital nomad actually looks like beyond what we see on social media. During our conversation, Gigi covered everything from burnout and loneliness to finding routine and building community on the move — sharing what she's learned, what she’d do differently, and her advice for anyone considering taking the leap.
What made you want to leave your old life behind and start this new one?
A couple of years ago, I started reflecting on my personal values. I’d spent around six years working in entertainment in LA, and while I loved it, felt like I was looking for something with more purpose. I didn’t know exactly what that looked like, but I knew I wanted to travel more.
Finding a remote job was my way in. I got lucky — applied for lots of roles, landed one, and that was how this next chapter started
Have there been any moments that weren’t as expected?
About seven or eight months in, I noticed how different my life looked from my friends back home — while they were settling down, getting engaged, or moving in with partners, I was hopping between countries, constantly on the move. I found myself comparing my life to theirs and questioning whether I was missing out on something — should I be back home, settling down like everyone else? It brought up this internal tension between wanting freedom and craving stability.
How were you able to navigate these feelings?
I think a lot of people assume that you can’t hold both dreams at once, but over time, I realised that you can — and if I ever do want to settle down, I can make that choice at any point. I started working with a nomad life coach too who really helped me reframe this lifestyle — not as something I was stuck in, but as something I had agency over. She reminded me that it truly is a gift to be as free as we are, and that at the end of the day, that's a choice. Finding a community of like-minded people has made a huge difference to me too — just knowing you're not the only one navigating these feelings is always reassuring.
How do you stay grounded when you’re always on the move?
At first, I was travelling so fast, trying to see and do everything — ticking off as many places as I could. But I burnt out pretty quickly. Now, I stay in one place for at least a month, which gives me time to build a routine and feel connected to the local community. Slowing down has made the lifestyle feel more sustainable — and meaningful.
How do you balance remote work and travel?
I’ve learned that structure is key. I block time in my calendar, write out priorities at the start of each week, and treat work as the foundation that enables me to live this lifestyle. If I stay focused during work hours, I feel more free during my downtime.
Do you ever feel lonely or disconnected?
Definitely. You meet a lot of people, but building deeper, long-term connections is hard when you’re only somewhere for a few weeks. That sense of belonging is something I still crave. Joining communities like WiFi Tribe has helped, but the constant goodbyes and transitions can be tough.
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a digital nomad?
First, know why you’re doing it. It can be easy to lose your sense of identity when you’re constantly changing environments, so be sure to stay grounded in your values.
Second, be street smart — trust your intuition and follow your gut. That mindset has kept me safe and helped me navigate tough situations.
And finally, take risks. This lifestyle is about stepping outside your comfort zone and you grow the most when you lean into that discomfort, so keep chasing it.
Closing notes:
Gigi’s story is a refreshing reminder that the digital nomad lifestyle is more than just what we see on social media. Even people who look like they have it all figured out, often don’t.
It’s a balancing act — between movement and stillness, connection and solitude, structure and spontaneity. Through her openness, she shows that it’s okay to hold space for more than one dream, and that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is slow down, tune in, and trust ourselves along the way.
Words and questions by Hamish Johnston as part of Word of Mouths "In Conversation With" series. If you liked this, you can read more of our blog posts here.
