“Today’s office,” one caption read on an Instagram post. In the picture: a pair of legs outstretched on a hammock tied to tall coconut trees. In the background, a wide expanse of white-sand beach sloping towards clear, turquoise waters.

Suddenly, you’re tired of your dreary 9-5 cubicle set up. You feel trapped. You want to get out. And you can.

The flexibility, the thought of not having to deal with the morning rush hour, choosing the jobs you want, negotiating deadlines and rates—it all sounds so appealing. It’s easy to see why more and more people are ditching the mundane work routine we are accustomed to in order to become digital nomads. Wandering, working wherever, whenever.

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What is a digital nomad?

A digital nomad is basically an individual who earns a living remotely, using telecommunications technology and a reliable internet connection to fulfill their tasks and meet their deadlines.

Digital nomads come in many forms. They can be business owners, full-time bloggers, software developers, marketing consultants, web/graphic designers, and of course, influencers.

The lifestyle of a digital nomad is often romanticized. Take the image we painted above, for example. Digital nomads don’t always work in a tropical paradise. Sometimes, they’re cooped up in a home or cafe somewhere, working on deliverables. A strong internet signal isn’t always easy to come by. It gets lonely on the road, it’s tiring to constantly travel, and most of all, everything is unpredictable. There will definitely be highs and lows.

Although the life of a digital nomad isn’t always exciting and glamorous, it can be an intensely rewarding experience. If you’re unsure of whether the digital nomad life is right for you, consider the following perks:

• You get to be your own boss. As a digital nomad, you only have yourself to answer to. You control the amount of work you take, you decide your “play style,” and you determine how much you’ll charge your clients. Best of all, you don’t need to ask for anyone’s permission in order to take a day off. It’s all your call.

• You can travel. As a digital nomad, you have the freedom to travel. In fact, there areorganized programs out there that specifically revolve around traveling. All you need to do is book your flights to and from home as your itinerary will be taken care of.

  Of course, constant traveling isn’t mandatory for digital nomads, but should you feel the urge to up and leave for a new place, you’re 100% free to go.

• You can widen your network. Part and parcel of being a digital nomad is meeting all sorts of people. These include other digital nomads, travelers, and locals from all the places you’ll be traveling to. Apart from making new friends, your network can also support your lifestyle and help you advance in your career.

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Becoming a digital nomad

Deciding to quit the safety net of your office job is no mean feat. Here are some of the ways you can become a digital nomad.

1. Find work online. With the Philippines’ gig economy continuously growing, it’s easy to find plenty of work online. Jumpstart your career as a freelancer by browsing through job listings in the following websites: Freelancer, Upwork, 99 Designs, Kalibrr, and Craigslist. Social media groups are also teeming with freelancing opportunities, so join communities that are aligned with your skill set.

2. Manage an online business. If you have business acumen, consider starting an online business or moving your existing venture online. It is not uncommon for Filipino digital nomads and influencers to branch out and start their own brands, offering anything from clothing and accessories to specialty products.

3. Ask to work remotely. If quitting your full-time office job is too drastic a change, you can slowly ease into the digital nomad lifestyle by arranging to work remotely with your current employer. This works best if a.) most of your work is done through a computer and b.) your physical presence is not required.

   You can start by working at home for two to three days a week to get a sense of what this work style is like. When you’re finally comfortable, see if it is possible to completely go remote.

Of course, it is important to already have developed the right skill set for the freelance jobs you want to do. If you want to concentrate on content, you must be proficient in writing and editing. In order to establish yourself as a reputable freelance artist, you must have a solid portfolio to show.

One way to enhance or improve your skill set is to take online courses from reputable websites such as Skillshare, Coursera, Udemy, and Codeacademy.

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Office options for the digital nomad

Just because you’re a digital nomad doesn’t mean you’re barred from working in an office. The major difference now is that you have the power to decide where you want to work within any given time.

• Set up a home office. If you’re just starting out with remote work, find a spot in your home where you can work without issue. Dedicate this space solely for your work and place everything you need within the area. Since this is your office, you can style it any way you want.

• Work in a coffee shop. If a home office is out of the question, the next best option is to find a coffee shop with an atmosphere you like, great beans, and most importantly, a fast and reliable internet connection.

• Enjoy all the benefits of a coworking space. Coworking spaces offer an array of office amenities and other perks. It’s a great place to meet like-minded freelancers, bounce off ideas, and pave the way for various collaborative opportunities.

  Out of the three options, coworking spaces also offer the most flexibility. You can choose to book a table when you need it or subscribe to their services for a specific period of time. Additionally, a couple of coworking spaces in Metro Manila (such as LOFT) are open 24/7. You can be an early bird or a night owl.

When choosing an office space, carefully consider your needs and your work style. If you are staying in one place for a couple of weeks or more, staying in a coworking space might be the best option.

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Anyone can become a digital nomad

Remember that there is no one right way to become a digital nomad. Start with little steps and take the time you need to get used to the setup. Pretty soon you’ll be ready to emerge from your cocoon as a full-fledged digital nomad.