The Nomag Pulse #11 - Digital Nomadism Isn't Dead
Just Rumours... We're Still Alive and Evolving!
Despite sensational headlines proclaiming the "death of the digital nomad," the spirit of remote work and location freedom is far from over. Business Insider’s recent exploration highlights a shift—but not a collapse—of the nomadic lifestyle. The piece describes William Fischer, who left behind plans to travel South America when a fully in-office offer from a fintech startup arrived. His choice—from Peru’s Andes to New York—symbolizes a broader recalibration of aspirations, not a full retreat.
🚧 Structural Shifts: Companies Take Back Control
Since 2022, many major firms have rolled out stricter Return-to-Office (RTO) policies. Business Insider reports red flags and office sign-ins are reappearing, and compliance efforts are tightening. Arising challenges include:
Compliance and legal scrutiny: Companies are tracking login locations to avoid visa or tax complications.
Visa regimes: The hype around "digital-nomad visas" clashes with reality—application delays, costs, and limited flexibility dampen their appeal
Economic and regulatory headwinds: Higher living costs and tighter immigration rules are cooling international job searches, pushing demand back to pre-pandemic norms.
Effectively, the environment that made nomading easy during 2020–21 is now more complex and less permissive.
Why There’s Still Hope for Nomads
Yet it's crucial to separate foreboding headlines from daily reality:
Remote work isn’t going anywhere. While full-time “work from anywhere” options may be less common at big firms, hybrid and remote roles remain widespread. As BI notes, the nomad lifestyle persists—just in refined forms like short trips or remote-from-home setups.
Niche companies and flexibility. Experts like Marisa Meddin emphasize that smaller companies and specialized platforms are still enabling true work-from-anywhere arrangements—even if they’re fewer in number.
Personal trade-offs matter. For many, the allure feels different now. Two years ago, flexibility trumped everything. Today, priorities like legal compliance, stability, and employability increasingly outweigh the freedom of travel.
Global baseline evolves. The digital nomad “party” of 2020–21 was unprecedented. Now, we're settling into a more sustainable norm. Remote work remains, but with guardrails—structured policies, compliance checkpoints, and occasional office visits. As one expert told BI, "We're just kind of going back to a new baseline".
The Counterpoint: “We’re Still Here!”
For many of us, the headline changes nothing. We adapt, persist, and innovate:
Community remains alive: Coworking spaces in Bali, Chiang Mai, Lisbon, and Medellín are still brimming with cross-cultural creativity. Shared hubs remain vital anchors.
Personal stories buck the trend: From Martina in Thailand—thriving as a remote operations manager—to freelancers living in Mexico or beach towns in Costa Rica, individual experiences reflect resilience.
Hybridity is winning: Hybrid roles offering flexibility—fixed hours with flexible locations—are the new practical sweet spot.
One Redditor reflecting on the BI article said:
“Remote work’s golden age is fading … but True nomads still find ways to do it.” Reddit
What This Means for Us Today
Understand the lay of the land: RTO policies at large firms may force some back into offices—but that doesn’t remove all remote avenues. Compliance frameworks are stricter, yes, but also clearer.
Find flexibility where it’s valued: Smaller companies, startups, and tech-enabled roles often value results over location. Seek them out.
Hybrid-normal is here to stay: The new work paradigm blends remote creativity with occasional in-person collaboration.
Nomad lifestyle is personal: Some will settle, others will continue to roam. The choice is uniquely individual.
Final Thoughts
The BI story isn’t about the end of digital nomadism—it’s about its maturation. We're no longer in an era of unbounded freedom; instead, we’re navigating a more regulated, balanced future. And yet, for those who value autonomy, connection, and flexibility, the lifestyle remains alive. We’re still here—but smarter, more adaptable, and deeply aware of what matters.
🛎️ Just a Reminder…
There are still a few spots left for ITS ITALY – Grand Tour 2025! First stop: Lecce, June 16–21—a sun-drenched week of creativity, coworking, and cultural immersion in the heart of Puglia. ☀️
If you want to secure your participation, now’s the time to run—spaces are limited! 🚀
Explore the full Grand Tour itinerary and upcoming destinations across Italy on our website.
And don’t forget to spread the word—because the best journeys are even better when shared.
Keep with the good work