New nomad event | Find a workspace | Resolutions done? | Issue #0022

Things are a-changing.

We’re very grateful for the partnership with Yellow Coworking while based out of Chiang Mai, but we’re off doing what nomads do…globe-trotting!

The Digital Nomad will keep delivering the same (uh, no…better!) nomad news, useful links, stories, and resources, just with a slightly different look.

For those of you keen to keep up with Chiang Mai and your favorite coworking space, there’ll be a monthly Yellow email soon too. You will, of course, be able to manage your subscription to them both separately.

For this week…

🇻🇳 Yet ANOTHER reason to hit Da Nang in Springtime
🚎 Skip those long, boring airport layovers
☕️ Stop wasting time looking for a cafe to work from
📋 You have already forgotten your NY resolutions haven’t you…

Catch you all next week!

NEWS
A hot spot is about to get even more popular

One of the countless faces we met at last week’s Nomad Summit are the guys behind the newest nomad get-together, and it’s in one of the hottest spots right now.

The Vietnam Nomad Fest debuts in March in Da Nang and Hoi An, and has a packed two weeks planned across the two.

Da Nang properly hit the digital nomad rotation last year after Vietnam made visiting more accessible in mid-2023, and it’s become the natural next stop after a winter stint in Thailand.

Find out more on the Vietnam Nomad Fest website, and use the code TIM to get 10% off tickets for being a subscriber to The Digital Nomad 🙂.

WHAT ELSE…

🗓️ When to book You move around a lot. Here’s when to book to get the best deals around the year. US-centric, but international destinations are universal.

🚎 Use your time better Got a layover? These four major airports offer free city tours while you’re waiting for your next leg.

👩‍💻 Turns out what we all think is true Remote workers are more engaged, according to Business.com.

📣 Not your normal retreat Settle into rural life, work with coastal views, connect to local communities and other nomads - Digital Nomad Safari.

💼 When are you going to get a real job? Here’s some evidence to show Grandpa Joe or Aunty Selma - over half the remote workforce aren’t going back.

WORK
A headache you will ALL suffer from…solved

How many times have you read some blog about “great cafes to work from in x city”, only to find rubbish coffee - or even more likely - half of them have closed down?!

Not any more. Meet Leonie and Jonny.
(We only got to grill Jonny…Leonie was busy doing all the work!)

Let’s jump straight in...you’re plugging a hole you needed filling.
The idea came while I was on a 4-month stay in Bali. Every day nomads asked the same questions, such as where to work from. I wanted to hack the word-of-mouth method and create a directory to reach more nomads.

So, you’re connecting nomads with places they can work from.
Yes, but requirements are different for every nomad, so each listing has the vital information - WiFi speed, how many plug sockets, is there aircon, noise levels, are there bean bags, etc. Not to mention, if it is still open!

Sounds like you vet every listing on Nomadwise?
We hope help small and local businesses get found and deliver the most recent data for nomads. It’s important to us to get a feel for every listing and if it actually delivers, and we use tech to keep the list updated. We also get recommendations from the community, so anyone can send us theirs!

You mentioned Bali. Is that where your nomad journey started?
I was at a startup that sold in 2019, took the equity, and jumped straight on a flight to Bangkok for that well-trodden SE Asia route. I ended up moving to Copenhagen, got stuck during COVID, until in January 2023 I came to realise I can work from anywhere. A month later I was in Bali!

And that’s where Nomadwise was dreamt up?
I went to a Webflow workshop and with a tech finance background I could analyze information well. The dots all connected nicely and before I knew it I was building the tech myself. We tried out food deal lists in Bali - and gyms - but circled back to workspaces. It showed the biggest demand.

So what does a day look like? It must mean a lot of coffee!!
I hated coffee before Bali, but now I’m on 3 or 4 a day! There is a limit to how many I can drink, but we gamify vetting listings when we’re on the ground to get through it. We hit up 18 places in a day in Chiang Mai once!

Where and what next?
Travel-wise, we are in a group of around 10-12 who sort of nomad around the world together. Next stop is Koh Phangan for us, but we have favorite parts of Europe and Bali we’ll go to, but Thailand is always calling!

For Nomadwise.io, our skills fit well. She is better at the strategy and processes, I manage the data and website. It works well for us.

You’d be lying if you told us you never struggle to find a cafe or coworking space that actually fits your needs. Visit the Nomadwise website wherever you are/are going, and you’ll save yourself a lot of time and stress.

SPREAD THE WORD

Have you been forwarded The Digital Nomad by a friend? If so, don’t miss out on future issues and sign up to get it every Tuesday.

Or do you have friends who are digital nomads, or are planning to be? If you think they could use a quick weekly fix of what’s happening in their world, then share this link or simply share it on your socials - links are at the top of this newsletter.

POLL

LIFESTYLE
Broken resolutions? Take influence from Japan

This is roughly the time that most New Year resolutions will have seen the eject seat, so it’s the perfect time to think about some longer-term, more sustainable things you COULD have implemented.

Japan has been long on the rotation - or at least wish-list - for nomads. You don’t have to go there to embrace it’s culture, though. Here are 5 things you could take away from Japanese culture to improve your life:

1. Enjoy the silence: We don’t mean turn on noise-cancelling. Despite Japan’s population, embracing silence is something even Tokyo residents value. Grab a few moments of reflection and mental clarity while on the road.

2. Be happy in your own company: In Japan, solo activities such as dining or attending events alone are common and socially accepted. Sound familiar? Well, embrace it like the Japanese do and take some you time!

3. Be a prudent shopper: The Japanese focus on quality and detail in their purchases. You don’t carry much and would benefit from ditching the $2 t-shirts and investing in light, durable and functional clothing/gear that lasts. 

4. Embrace seasonal living: Japan’s culture deeply respects the changing seasons. Most of you chase the sun, but there is rhythm to living through different seasons that grounds you and helps foster a deeper connection with their surroundings. 

5. Practice Kaizen (Continuous Improvement): The Japanese philosophy of Kaizen involves making small, incremental improvements. Say no more…

See a host more Japanese influences in this article from Mr Porter (good luck with #11, #14, and #29!). Even if they’re not for you, then grab a little better understanding of Japanese culture for when you visit!

BRAIN FOOD
In The Digital Nomad inbox this week

Book - If your resolutions are a bust already, here’s a different way to think about habits: Make Time - How to Focus on What Matters Every Day.

App - No one ever changes their browser. But if they were to, this one offers quite the change, and users love it.

Watch - the trend of mechanical keyboards is not always well received in coworking spaces, but here’s how to build your own.

Listen - Apparently this is widely considered - by some people, no,less - to be the world’s most relaxing song. Gotta say, its pretty cool on the Airpod Max’s.

If you have any recommendations we should share let us know.

CONNECT TO CHIANG MAI
Fill your social calendar in Chiang Mai

Steve’s Email A weekly resource and email for events around the city.

Digital Nomad WhatsApp A long-standing group that spawned a range of sub-groups for almost any niche and interest in the city. This group fills up fast, so please wait to join until you're in Chiang Mai or going there soon.

For up-to-date events in the city, join the Activities/Events WhatsApp group.

Chiang Mai Fit WhatsApp: If you want to do something active (trust us, being fit isn’t a prerequisite!) then find wholesome activities throughout the week here.

Yellow Coworking Telegram. For more about what is happening at Yellow and to be part of their conversation, join in here.

COWORKING IN CHIANG MAI

If you are in the city, or heading over soon, then check out the current packages - from day passes to monthly or annual memberships - here.

Or, just get in touch with Mickey or the team at Yellow Coworking at [email protected].

MAKE YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD LIFE EASIER
Resources for digital nomads

Useful stuff we’ve accumulated from previous issues - from fellow nomads, interviews with thought leaders, great deals from partners, and some local heroes in Chiang Mai too:

• SafetyWing, who also offers digital nomad insurance, also started running community events in various locations around the world. A few participants in a Chiang Mai one even won a meal out at a top restaurant in the city!

• Genki also does worldwide digital nomad insurance.

• Remote Rebellion. Start or re-ignite your remote working journey with Michelle - a career coach specialising in remote roles and nailing them down.

• Connect with other digital nomads and build your network with Digital Nomad Adventures.

• Nomad retreats with Kaya Connections, including US$50 off the April retreat if you mention The Digital Nomad.

• Get a storytelling masterclass by following Nir Zavaro.

• Learn copywriting and how to turn it into a business with CCA.

• Contact Liselle for a LinkedIn or resume revamp.

• If decision-making is not your forte, get in touch with Hannah Wang - a decision-making coach for entrepreneurs, business owners and big corporates.

• Stay safe online (and get TV from any country!) using NordVPN. They’ve got a festive deal on with up to 74% off and 3 free months.

• Simo - we featured these guys and their hotspots last week, but it turns out they’ve got an even BETTER deal on now. 35% off hotspots up until 23rd.

• Airalo - a marketplace for eSIM data packs for more than 200 countries. Get 15% off if you are new and use this link and the code NEWTOAIRALO15, or 10% off if you are an existing user using AIRALOESIM10.

If you’re in Chiang Mai, these are some of the nomad favorites:

• Healthy Junk is the go-to for healthy food when you are in Chiang Mai. Dine in, out, or get it delivered.

• Grab a locally sourced coffee a few steps from Yellow at Toffee Roasters. Go say hi to Tem, the owner, who is also opening up a sandwich joint next door in the coming weeks.

• Get your meal prep from Chef Fuji. Healthy, macro-focused food, delivered across Chiang Mai.

QUIZ
Do you know the world as well as you think?

A testing 20-questions style trivia that will reveal either how well you ask questions or your knowledge of the world you are travelling.

COMMUNITY
Get seen by digital nomads everywhere

We would love to hear from you if you have some valuable knowledge, products or services, information, or just a fun or crazy digital nomad story. Get some extra eyes on your thing or maybe you just like sharing with other nomads!

Fill in this form if you:

• have a product or service that could help other digital nomads

• operate a travel blog, channel or platform that we can spotlight

• took a photo we could feature along with your portfolio or IG

• …just have a great digital nomad story!

WHAT DID YOU MISS?

If you are new to The Digital Nomad - or just want to go back and read a previous issue - then you can find them all here.