How to Be a Digital Nomad With Kayla Ihrig

28 snips

Dec 3, 2023

Kayla Ihrig, a seasoned digital nomad and author of 'How to Be a Digital Nomad', shares her inspiring journey from a conventional life to globetrotting since 2017. She delves into balancing work and travel, asserting that nomadism isn't simply glamorous but comes with real challenges. Kayla offers insights into building reliable income, transitioning into service-based entrepreneurship, and the importance of preparation before hitting the road. She discusses the concept of lifestyle deflation, learning to live on less, and selecting your travel destinations wisely.

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INSIGHT

Normal Life Has Real Trade-Offs

Kayla warns that leaving “normal life” involves real losses like homesickness and changed relationships.
She urges honesty about trade-offs instead of pretending nomadism is only gains.

ANECDOTE

From Offline Teacher To Digital Nomad

Kayla met her husband Bert Jan in Guatemala and converted him from offline to working online over years.
He went from no laptop and Internet Explorer to sharing an online business with her.

INSIGHT

Travel And Work Are Opposing Forces

Kayla frames travel and work as opposing forces that require equilibrium, not a simple balance.
She normalizes that working while traveling is legitimately hard and will sometimes ruin travel experiences.

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Are you considering becoming a digital nomad or curious about the lifestyle? Kayla Ihrig is with me today to talk about the digital nomad lifestyle and the realities of working and living on the road.

Kayla's a remote worker and business owner who's been living and traveling abroad since 2017, when she bought a one-way ticket out of the US. She's since traveled to a few dozen countries, earned a second nationality, and written the book How to Be a Digital Nomad.

In this episode, Kayla shares her journey to becoming a digital nomad and why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the lifestyle. You’ll hear about the question she obsessed over that led to her decision to travel, her advice on building a reliable income, ways to keep travel interesting after doing it long-term, the concept of lifestyle deflation and preparing for going abroad, and much more! Whether you’re already living the life or just getting started, there’s something in this episode for everyone.

Where are you in your digital nomad journey? I'd love to hear about your experience and hope you’ll share sending me an audio message.

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Tune In To Learn:

Her breaking point for deciding to travel and how she leaned into her inner wisdom to cut the cord from her “normal life”
The realities of giving up “normal life” and why she’s grateful for the lifestyle she chose
The story of the first digital nomad
What it takes to travel and make a reliable income (and advice on giving up)
Why the entrepreneurial mindset is essential even if you’re employed
Her advice for setting yourself up before you leave vs. figuring it out on the road
How her writing business came to fruition and why she’s an advocate for service-based businesses
How to deflate your current lifestyle and prepare for your digital nomad life
Why it may (or may not) be a good idea to tell others about your plans
Why it’s valuable to connect with travelers before you even start
Mindset advice for choosing a destination
And so much more

Resources:

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Today's Sponsors - Airbnb, US Bank, Land Rover
Grab her book, How to Be a Digital Nomad
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Thanks To Our Sponsors

Sometimes, it just makes more sense. Book your next group stay with Airbnb!
This episode is also sponsored by US Bank's Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card, with the ability to earn up to 5x the points on travel-related expenses like hotels, and rental cars, this card will get you the most return on your next trip.
You’re up for any challenge that comes your way, and the Land Rover Defender 110 is too. Learn more at landroverusa.com/defender.

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