I looked up, panting. The 11kg backpack on my shoulders felt like I was carrying three grown men, and my knees were creaking with every step.
The hotel looked stunning in the photos, but nowhere did it say, “must climb 300 steep steps to get here.”
The view was spectacular though.
Dubrovnik — The view from our hotel
That was just night one in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Turns out most hotels in that city sit either at the top or bottom of epic staircases.
Not a big deal normally — but a proper mission when you’re lugging a backpack and staying somewhere with a ban on wheeled suitcases (yep, that’s a thing there).
By the end of that trip, my big sister swore she’d never backpack again.
Carrying your life on your back is both a pro and a con.
Online, you usually only see the glam side.
Youngsters peeling off North Face tees to reveal six-pack abs before leaping into amazing waterfalls they just happened to stumble across.
You rarely see middle-aged women with purple faces dragging oversized bags up endless steps, looking like they might collapse. (A gap I fully intend to fill with my future travel reels!)
Here are a few more challenges of nomad life that rarely show up in Instagram highlights — and some practical ways to deal with them.
1. Loneliness
Years ago, I sat with a coffee in hand, flanked by the Sydney Opera House on one side and the majestic Harbour Bridge on the other. It should’ve been a moment of pure joy. But I remember feeling sad. Alone. No one to share it with.
I know — privileged problems, right? But loneliness isn’t just a nomad thing. Remote work and solo living are making a lot of people feel more disconnected than ever.
Some solitude is lovely. Too much is draining.
If you’re longing for some company;
- Use social media to connect — not just scroll. Join Facebook or Discord groups based on your interests.
- Set up regular Zoom chats with people you enjoy chatting with.
- Find co-working spaces, attend workshops, or hop onto local meetups.
- Book group tours or shared experiences when you travel.
- And if you can’t find the right group? Start one.
It might feel intimidating at first. But there are so many people out there just waiting for someone like you to say hello…
2. Unstable Internet
This one has improved greatly, but can still catch you off guard, especially in more remote areas.
I remember very early days in our online adventure in Cyprus, I was constantly hopping between hotels trying to find Wi-Fi strong enough to upload a video.
Same in Cairns, Australia. The internet was terrible everywhere.
Nowadays it’s much better, but most of my “dodgy nomad” stories involve the great internet hunt.
Like:
- Buying a dongle in Bora Bora we could only use for 3 minutes at a time because it drained credit so fast (not ideal when you’re floating in the Pacific).
- The time we had a full day of webinars and had to shift from a house to a café to a pub, before finally giving up and letting a guest run the whole thing solo.
Even now, when you rely on the internet to work, a bad connection can cost you clients or income.
I recommend you;
- Always have a backup — a local SIM or eSIM with loads of data.
- Know where the nearest café with good Wi-Fi is.
- Consider a portable Wi-Fi router that works across countries (I haven’t tried one, but lots of nomads swear by them).
- Research connectivity before booking your stay.
It’s not foolproof, but with a little planning, you can avoid most disasters.
3. Time Zone Troubles
Juggling time zones is one thing in your 30s. At 52, it’s a different story.
Back then, I’d happily get up at 2am to watch a webinar, or 4am to host one.
These days? If I don’t sleep properly, let’s just say my husband doesn’t enjoy my company as much. 😂
So I’ve learned to work with time zones, not against them.
- If you’re crossing time zones, start adjusting your sleep schedule a few days before flying.
- On the plane, match your sleep to the new time zone — it helps massively.
- Stay hydrated (always my №1 tip for everything).
- Use World Time Buddy to book calls and meetings.
- And most importantly, build your working hours around your natural rhythm.
Getting enough rest matters more than squeezing in one more call.
4. Healthcare Hurdles
Staying healthy while travelling is non-negotiable, but access to healthcare can vary wildly from place to place.
Thailand’s system, for example, is incredible. The hospitals are spotless, the doctors are internationally trained, there are no waiting lists, and the service feels five-star.
Phuket Bangkok Hospital is like a hotel lobby meets day spa with MRI machines.
But that’s not the case everywhere, so it pays to be prepared.
- Always get solid health and travel insurance before you go.
- Learn how the local system works.
- Keep a basic first-aid kit and your must-have medications with you.
- Have a shortlist of nearby hospitals or clinics in every destination.
You may never need it, but if you do, you’ll be so glad you planned ahead.
5. Visa Viability
Visas are the unsexy part of travel, and a regular source of stress.
Each country has its own rules, paperwork, fees, timelines… and sometimes conflicting information online.
- A quick “do I need a visa for [country]” Google search is usually enough, but ivisa.com and atlys.com are good tools.
- Always carry spare passport photos — some countries require them on arrival.
- Don’t wait till the last minute. Some visas take weeks to process.
- Keep physical and digital copies of your key documents (passport, visa, insurance).
It’s a pain, but getting this wrong can mess up your trip. Do your homework.
6. Financial Fluctuations
This lifestyle can feel like a feast-or-famine rollercoaster. Especially if you’re freelancing or picking up work on the go.
In the early days, we lived off credit cards and scraped by. These days, I recommend building something more stable.
- Create an online income stream that grows steadily — digital products, ecommerce, courses, newsletters, Amazon FBA, blogging…
- Diversify! Never rely on just one source of income.
- Keep a buffer — 3 to 6 months of expenses if you can.
- Track your spending religiously.
You don’t need a fortune. You just need consistency.
7. Burnout
Without clear lines between work and downtime, it’s easy to overdo it. I’ve lost count of the days I’ve been glued to my laptop from morning till night.
And then, of course, the guilt creeps in if I don’t work. That ever-present fear that if we take a break, we’ll fall behind. But the truth is, nothing falls apart when you rest.
This isn’t a sprint. It’s a lifestyle, and one that’s meant to be lived.
I always remember Tony Robbins telling a story on stage about a man he met in Fiji. The guy lived in a shack, fished each morning, relaxed all afternoon. When Tony asked him why he didn’t work harder to build a better life, the man said, “So I can relax in front of my hut and go fishing? I already do that every day.”
It’s simplistic, sure, but there’s something in it. Back in the early days, my husband and I would float in the Andaman Ocean with a cold Chang and ask each other, “If we were millionaires, what would we do differently?” The answer? “Nothing.”
Instead of working all the hours under the sun and missing the place you’re in;
- Set working hours — and actually stick to them
- Take regular breaks to swim, walk, rest, or explore
- And remember: there’s always a $15-a-night beach hut somewhere
You didn’t start this lifestyle to burn out. Take your foot off the gas now and then.
8. Living Out of a Bag
I’m not into fashion, so I’m fine rotating 3 or 4 mix-and-match outfits. I’ll even wear the same t-shirt two days in a row without shame.
But living out of a suitcase long-term can get tiring.
Especially when you’re constantly digging through bags, trying to find one specific thing.
Famous actresses Maggie Smith and Judi Dench once said they were glad they weren’t born beautiful, as it sounded exhausting. I feel the same about clothes!
That said, a little organisation goes a long way.
- Pack light — high-quality, versatile basics are key
- Use packing cubes to separate everything (they’re life-changing)
- Have a go-to laundry routine — I weirdly love laundromats because they scream “freedom” to me
- Stay put longer when the constant packing/unpacking gets old
Living simply makes space for richer experiences.
9. Lack of Routine
This one’s tricky. I hate routine — it bores me senseless. But I also know that without a little structure, I get nothing done.
It’s about balance.
When I’m in one place for a while, I like to start each day with writing. One post before breakfast. It sharpens my thinking and keeps content flowing to my blog, socials, newsletter, all of it.
But if I’m travelling — say, on my way to Fiji (2 weeks from now) — I’ll batch write a few posts ahead of time. That way I can be fully present without stressing over deadlines.
- Know your non-negotiables each week
- Batch work before travel days
- Use your energy rhythms — not someone else’s — to shape your schedule
Routine doesn’t need to be rigid. Make it yours.
10. Building and Maintaining Relationships
Nomad life is full of incredible people, but it can also be a revolving door of goodbyes.
One of the hardest parts is leaving amazing humans behind, over and over again.
I once met a woman in the visa queue in Penang. We ended up sightseeing together for two days, sharing our stories and becoming friends, only to part and go on with our lives.
Little encounters like that can be powerful, but they don’t have to end when the trip does.
To cultivate long-term connections:
- Exchange contact details when you connect with someone
- Stay in touch — a silly meme or “thinking of you” message can mean a lot
- Use WhatsApp, Messenger, email — whatever keeps it simple
- When possible, plan reunions, detours, or trips with old friends
You don’t need hundreds of connections. A few strong, well-watered friendships can carry you a long way.
11. Safety
Keeping your stuff (and yourself) safe is a daily consideration, especially in unfamiliar places.
Right now, as I type this, I’m sitting in a Starbucks in a Phuket mall. I just nipped out to the bathroom — leaving my laptop and bag on the table.
Would I do that in most countries? Absolutely not. Even here, I probably shouldn’t.
Complacency creeps in quickly when you feel comfortable, but safety needs to stay front of mind.
Here are a few safety tips;
- Always use a VPN when on public Wi-Fi
- Invest in an anti-theft bag or slash-proof backpack
- Use safes when available (for passport, money, electronics)
- Carry a padlock if you ever leave your bags in shared storage
- Don’t flash valuables in public or trust everyone instantly
Be street-smart, not paranoid. And trust your gut. It’s usually right.
12. Environmental Impact
Let’s be real — travel isn’t great for the planet. Frequent flights rack up carbon emissions fast. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make better choices.
I wrestle with this all the time. I want to see the world — but I also want to help preserve it.
You don’t have to be perfect. But you can travel better.
- Choose trains or buses over flights when you can
- Stay in locally run guesthouses or eco-conscious stays
- Say no to plastic bags, carry your own cloth bag or bottle
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and skip the plastic-wrapped fruit
- Offset flights or donate to reforestation when possible
Travelling mindfully doesn’t mean giving travel up, it just means doing it more consciously.
It’s Not All Sunsets and Smoothies: 11 Truths About Nomad Life – Summary
Nomad life isn’t all floating breakfasts and Bali sunsets.
It’s missed connections, dodgy prawns, lost passports, cramped buses, and exhaustion. It’s also wild laughter, lifelong friendships, awe-inspiring moments, and the kind of growth you just can’t get standing still.
With a bit of preparation, a healthy sense of humour, and a good dash of flexibility, the pitfalls don’t have to derail your adventure, they just become part of the story.
And honestly? It’s a story worth living.
Happy travels!
