Dru Riley, founder of Trends.vc, talks about his 3+ years as a digital nomad. They discuss choosing the nomad lifestyle, favorite places to live, working across timezones, researching destinations, finding places to stay, social scenes, and challenges of nomad life.
Building robust systems and flexible habits is crucial for adapting to different environments as a digital nomad.
Having a home base as a digital nomad provides stability, convenience, and the opportunity to establish routines and relationships.
Deep dives
The lifestyle of a digital nomad
In this podcast episode, the speaker has a conversation with Drew Riley, a digital nomad, and discusses the nomadic lifestyle. Drew shares his experiences and insights into living and working in different locations around the world. He talks about the benefits of comfort challenges and how constantly being in new and uncomfortable situations helps personal growth. One of the main strategies Drew uses when choosing a place to stay is finding areas with a concentration of convenient amenities such as gyms, cafes, and co-working spaces within a 10-minute walk. He also emphasizes the importance of building robust systems and flexible habits that can adapt to different environments.
Choosing a home base and the benefits
The podcast episode explores Drew's decision to make Mexico City his home base for nomadic living. He explains that having a home base provides a sense of stability and convenience. By spending extended periods in Mexico City, Drew can establish routines, build relationships, and take advantage of the city's amenities and culture. He also mentions the challenges of constantly moving and the disruption it can cause, particularly in dealing with time zones. However, having a home base allows him to navigate these challenges more effectively and create a balanced and fulfilling nomadic lifestyle.
Challenges and benefits of the nomadic lifestyle
The podcast episode delves into the challenges and benefits of being a digital nomad. Drew discusses the importance of designing habits and systems that are resilient and adaptable in different environments. He highlights that nomadic living forces individuals to step out of their comfort zones, embrace discomfort, and embrace discomfort to foster personal and professional growth. Drew also shares the benefits of exploring new cultures, trying out different activities, and being free from the routines and habits of a fixed location. While there may be challenges, the opportunities for exploration and personal development make the nomadic lifestyle worthwhile.