That marmalade made from craft beer looks yummy – and I cannot believe I haven’t eaten it yet. The jam was a gift from the regional government of Asturias, in the north of Spain, as part of its efforts to entice digital nomads to settle in that gorgeous corner of the country.
While I can attest to the area’s beauty and my good times there as a tourist, I doubt that pastoral Asturias can provide only happiness. Nor can Barcelona, Cancun or Dublin. There is a place for every person, but wherever you go, there you are.
I love traveling and exploring new places intensely. Spending a longer time in a city to get its full feel appeals to me. It allows me to discover hidden gems – for me, not places marked as “hidden gems” on Google Maps or Trip Advisor, which are not hidden, nor gems. I’m not the only one who enjoys getting the local feel.
The pandemic left a legacy of more remote working, which has allowed people to live comfortably at their place of choice without having to commute or live in an undesirable place. This flexibility is undoubtedly a great phenomenon.
That has allowed the phenomenon of digital nomads to blossom. One can work from anywhere, experience local food and culture, meet new people, and have fun. In my case, it is easy to find fellow volleyball enthusiasts, boardgame hobbyists, or keen runners. You can then have beer with these people and meet them again, perhaps for a highly Instagramable brunch.
And there lies the problem – much of the glory we see on social media is just the portrayal of an ideal life, which is only a sliver of the experience.
That pretty cocktail and a laptop with the beach as the backdrop make a perfect picture. It triggers many heart emojis, a reasonable amount of comments, and several hours of satisfaction. What happens afterward?
Physically, the digital nomad returns to their apartment and still needs to get some work done in conditions more conducive to productivity. And inside, posting on social media may merely be a desperate attempt to gain attention from friends back home – where one feels their sense of belonging. It is a reflection of loneliness.
The phenomenon of digital nomads has been blossoming, as efforts from Asturias has shown, but living such a life is not always as sweet as the jam.