How to become a Digital Nomad: lessons from my failed attempts
I never set out to become a digital nomad. But between leaving corporate life, becoming a single parent, and eventually spending three months working from Buenos Aires, I ended up discovering something more useful: the difference between freedom as an idea and flexibility as a practice.
This is the story of how I got there, via several attempts that didn't quite work.
Twelve years ago, the idea of being a digital nomad was all the rage. Remote work was gaining momentum, online meetings were becoming more common, and the freedom to work from anywhere felt like the future. It was an aspirational move. I was following others online, motivated by what seemed like true freedom from the rat race.
I didn't consciously choose this way of working at first. Circumstances led me to it. As a single parent with two young children, the time spent commuting to meetings no longer made sense. I could use that time at home, balancing work and parenting. I was also transitioning out of corporate life, drawn instead to working with more human-centred organisations.
Lifestyle became a priority.
Remote work was not yet normal, and neither was I for wanting it
Back then, remote meetings weren't the norm. "We'll have our meeting on Skype," I'd say, only to be met with confusion. Clients still expected face-to-face conversations, in an office or a café. But slowly, things shifted. People adjusted, and so did I. My schedule became more flexible, my work continued to flow, and I was still delivering on my commitments.
The laptop didn't set me free
Then came the next step. I bought my first laptop. Now I can work from anywhere, I declared.
Excited, I tested the waters by working from a friend's dining table in Devon. But instead of feeling liberated, I felt off. I missed my desk, set at the right height, my large screen, the comfort of a space designed for focused work. Working remotely didn't feel freeing; it felt inconvenient. A few more attempts followed, but it always felt forced.
I had to admit it: I was not cut out for the nomadic entrepreneur lifestyle.
Argentina changed the picture entirely
Fast forward to 2023, and life presented another opportunity: three months in Argentina. By then, my mindset had shifted. I no longer held onto the belief that I needed my perfect desk to do great work. I trusted my ability to adapt.
And I did.
I rented a beautiful flat with a dedicated office space: a large white desk, a comfortable chair, and a breathtaking view. Perched high above the city, I watched birds sweep past the window as I worked. It felt easy. Aligned. Genuinely joyful.
That experience changed things. The following summer, I did it again — Barcelona and Madrid. And again, back in Argentina, settling into the same rhythm.
Flexibility turned out to be better than freedom
Would I call myself a nomadic entrepreneur?
No. I still love working from home. But what I've gained is something more practical and more sustaining: the confidence to choose where I work, knowing I can do it well anywhere.
That, to me, is the real win.
Nora Rose Zinerman is an Art Director, Brand and Website Designer with over 30 years of experience. She works with founders, leaders, and creatives; from first website to full redesign. Based in Surrey, UK. Working globally.
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