Digital nomad lessons: what I didn’t expect to learn abroad

Behind the palm trees, the real work begins

The time flies. And this digital nomad life? It’s slowly taking shape. More rhythm. More clarity. About six months ago, my boyfriend and I boarded a plane to Spain. A new chapter. And within that time, I’ve met many versions of myself and learned more than I expected. Here’s what this journey has taught me so far.

So 6 digital nomad lessons ->

1. Distance reveals what matters

Only once you're physically away from people do you truly feel what they mean to you. Being far from family changed how I look at connection. When we fly back now, it’s no longer about quantity, but quality. You know the time is short. You feel the weight of presence.

It’s a beautiful shift. But also one that hurts sometimes.

2. Blurred lines between work and life

Working remotely gives you freedom. But that freedom comes with blurred boundaries. When you're ambitious, eager to grow, and passionate about your work, it's easy to slip into “always on” mode. Evenings. Weekends. All of it blends.

And sure, for a season, that’s okay. But not forever. This journey was also about finding rest, being present, creating space for my relationship. That’s not built on hustle. That’s built on presence.

Freedom without reflection is just noise. True clarity begins when the distractions stop answering back.

3. Starting over takes time

You leave family. Friends. Familiar streets. And suddenly, you’re rebuilding a life from scratch. New routines. A new language. A house that needs to feel like home.

You leave behind noise and distraction. Which gives you space, but also invites new questions. How do I want to fill my days? What actually matters to me?

4. Freedom feels empty without rhythm

When I moved to Spain, I had no job lined up. Just trust. I knew something would come. And it did.

But that initial freedom? It was disorienting. No commute. No alarms. No external structure.

I started with simple things: waking up early, journaling, writing down daily to-do’s, and reflecting on what gives me energy. Slowly, the structure began to take shape. And with it, peace.

5. Everyone walks their own path

Deciding to move abroad doesn’t always land well with others. Some support it. Others fear it. Some don’t understand it at all.

And yet, six months in, things have settled. Not everyone loves it. Not everyone has to.

Each time we return to the Netherlands, I’m reminded: everyone lives their own life. You reconnect for a moment and then, each person walks their own path again. Ours leads back to Spain. Theirs continues from home.

Some still think Spain means vacation. But this life? It’s not a break. It’s a choice. A challenging, fulfilling, often misunderstood one.

6. Slowness brings clarity

When you strip away distractions, constant plans, background noise, overcommitted calendars, you hear what’s been whispering all along.

Questions rise. What brings me peace? What do I value? What am I still carrying that I need to release?

Stillness reveals what busyness buried. And with it comes clarity. But that clarity often asks something from you: to face, to feel, to let go. It’s a gift and a weight all at once.

These digital nomad lessons weren’t in any guidebook.They unfolded in the quiet and they changed how I see freedom, growth, and myself. This life is anything but simple. But it’s honest, raw and expansive.

And as a digital nomad, your lessons don’t come from airports or palm trees. They come from what rises in the quiet and what you choose to do with it.

When the noise fades, clarity speaks. If you’re curious how to build a life with more presence, more rhythm, and more meaning, this blog might be your next read: Slow Living Mindset