My journey to becoming a digital nomad wasn’t exactly a straight path. In fact, it was a mix of self-teaching, upskilling, and a bit of trial and error. Here’s how I made it happen!
The Beginning: Self-Taught Designer and HSCI + Business Grad
I started out as a self-taught designer while studying for my degree in Health Sciences and Business. After that, I enrolled in a UX Bootcamp at BrainStation, which gave me a solid foundation in design. But after graduating, I faced a reality that so many new grads experience—I just couldn’t find a job. Oops.
From Job Hunting to Freelancing
With no job offers coming in, I decided to pivot to freelancing, taking on any design or editing contracts I could find. At first, I worked for super cheap, sometimes doing more than what was agreed upon in the contract just to build my portfolio and get some experience under my belt. It wasn’t easy, but it was a necessary step to get my foot in the door.
Upskilling and Transition to Digital Nomad Life
I worked hard to upskill—learning more about design, business, and everything in between. Once I was making enough money to cover my living expenses, I started thinking about how to live life on my own terms, including what digital nomading could look like for me.
A little sidenote: I grew up in Vancouver, and while it’s a beautiful city, the cost of living was super high, and the constant rain didn’t exactly help. I knew I wanted to design my life differently.
Designing My Business Around My Life
I built my business to fit the life I wanted. This meant:
- Fewer meetings (just the essentials like discovery calls)
- Making sure no clients required me to be online during their working hours
- Keeping projects manageable with the help of collaborators
By structuring my business this way, I had the freedom to work from anywhere without feeling tied down to one place or time zone.
The Trial: 3 Months in Asia
I decided to test the waters with a three-month trial in Asia, and it was an absolute game-changer. I LOVED IT. I could work remotely while exploring new cities, cultures, and food—and it didn’t hurt that it was much more affordable than Vancouver.
More Travels and The Six-Month Plan
After my trial, I continued to travel, spending time in Hawaii and New York City. These experiences made me realize that I wanted to live and work this way long-term. So, I started planning a six-month trip abroad, diving deeper into the digital nomad lifestyle. It was during this time that I really honed in on how I wanted my business and life to look—a blend of work, travel, and personal growth.
Reflecting on the Journey
Looking back, it’s amazing to see how far I’ve come. Starting out with no job prospects, freelancing for cheap, and hustling to build my skills, I’ve managed to create a lifestyle that allows me to work from anywhere in the world. Becoming a digital nomad has been one of the best decisions I’ve made—not just for my career, but for my overall happiness and well-being. And the journey doesn’t stop here. I’m excited to see where the next chapter takes me!
