Many professionals dream of becoming digital nomads but hold themselves back due to fear, habits, or misconceptions. The lifestyle is increasingly accessible, with remote work, nomad visas, and global infrastructure supporting it—even for families. Most barriers are psychological, and with planning, the freedom to live and work anywhere is within reach.

 

 

Match the headings a)-g) to

the paragraphs 1-7.

 

 

(…) Being a digital nomad might be the route for you. It might not. The following are the main reasons people don’t do it, followed by practical considerations if you want to take the next step.

See which of the common excuses you want to break free from, and make the plan for doing so.

1. …………………………………………………………………………..

Financial fear dominates everything. “I can’t afford to be in two places” becomes the default excuse. Yet the math of not doing it doesn’t always add up. Run the numbers. (…) When you’re nomadic, one bill replaces multiple. The freedom number sits much lower than you imagine.

Location dependency feels real until tested. (…).

Family ties bind many. “I can’t leave my mom” translates to “I haven’t asked if mom wants to visit Japan.” (…)

2. ……………………………………………………………………………..

Many founders write off nomading because “I already traveled.” They backpacked Europe at 21, lived in hostels, and rationed food money. That’s survival travel, not living abroad. Working from a beachfront apartment in Cape Town differs entirely from sleeping in a 12-bed dorm in Vietnam. (…)

3. ………………………………………………………………………………

“I need my stuff” ranks among top excuses. People convince themselves they require specific shampoo brands, certain pillows, familiar routines. I’ve traveled three years with one suitcase. Freedom expands as your number of possessions shrink. (…)

4. ……………………………………………………………………………..

Job restrictions block many paths. Yet remote work has exploded since 2020, when the pandemic triggered unprecedented growth, with the number of digital nomads with traditional jobs doubling in 2020 and increasing another 42% in 2021. Companies had no choice, they adapted or lost talent. The barrier shifted from “they won’t let me” to the self-imposed, “I haven’t asked.” (…)

5……………………………………………………………………………….

Families with school-age children can absolutely join the movement. (…) 24% of American digital nomads travel with their children. Parents can progress their careers while seeing the world with their family. Organizations like World Schoolers connect nomadic families for shared resources and community. Online platforms make curriculum compliance straightforward while providing location flexibility.

6. ……………………………………………………………………………

If you want to do this, don’t let unsurmountable practicalities hold you back. Other people have figured it out, and you can too.

Visa requirements are first to tackle. (…)

Health concerns shouldn’t stop you. (…) Research local healthcare systems and pharmacies in advance to make sure you’ll be fine. (…)

Travel insurance covering existing conditions is essential. (…)

7……………………………………………………………………………..

To escape these chains, start with questions. What if I calculated exact travel costs? Could my parents visit me at my next destination? Would clients leave if I worked from Spain? What systems would I need to work anywhere? (…)

a) The permission problem

b) The gap year trap

c) The family Logistics

d) Could you become a digital nomad? Questions to ask.

e) The invisible chains

f) Practical considerations most people miss

g) The comfort delusion

 

In order to read the whole article/check your answers, go to: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jodiecook/2025/05/12/why-arent-more-people-digital-nomads

Key: 1e); 2b); 3g); 4a); 5c); 6f); 7d)

 

Glossary

 

• to summon – to call upon someone or something, especially with authority or urgency
• to bind – to unite or hold together; to obligate sb
• to write off – to dismiss something as unimportant, hopeless, or no longer useful
• feral – wild
• unsurmountable – too great to be overcome; impossible to deal with or conquer
• friction – tension

 

 

Practice makes perfect

Read the article and decide if the sentences below are true or false:

 

https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/25-online-business-ideas-you-can-start-from-anywhere

 

1. A virtual assistant’s job mainly involves designing websites.

2. Online tutoring can cover a wide range of subjects, from academic topics to personal development.

3. Graphic designers are becoming unnecessary due to tools like Canva and AI.

4. Drop-shipping requires you to keep inventory in your home.

5. Creating an online course allows you to sell the same material multiple times.

6. Podcasts are easy to start because they don’t involve any technical work.

7. Amazon FBA helps sellers by storing and shipping their products.

8. Subscription box businesses require regular updates and product selection.

9. Chatbot development is used mainly for graphic design.

10. Translation services are limited to conversations between people.

 

Key: 1. F; 2. T; 3. F; 4. F; 5. T; 6. F; 7. T; 8. T; 9. F; 10. F

 

Word formation

 

1. A strong online presence can greatly improve a company’s brand …….. . [VISIBLE]

2. The entrepreneur’s …………… allowed her to create a successful digital product from scratch. [INNOVATE]

3. He found a profitable niche by __________ unique monthly subscription boxes. [CURATE]

4. Consistency and …………… are key when trying to build a loyal YouTube audience. [ENGAGE]

5. Offering personalized services helps improve customer …………. [SATISFY]

6. He seems to think that I have an ………. supply of money. [END]

 

Key: 1. visibility; 2. innovation; 3. curating; 4. engagement; 5. satisfaction; 6. endless

 

Watch and Revise!

 

 

 

https://www.cloud.worldwideschool.pl/index.php/s/iGy9pXxqLWdmKG6

 

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