My Life as DIGITAL NOMAD

To travel the World, to leave a life full of excitement, to be location independent, no string attached, no boundaries...Those are the words that resonate in my head since I was a teen.

I remember when I was in high school, I wanted to be a paleontologist, so I can travel to new undiscovered places to find dinosaurs bones and to understand the history of organic life on earth. As an adult, I became a fashion photographer, to satisfy my thirst to travel and to photograph beautiful models on sandy beaches. I wanted to travel to exotic cities all around the World, where I can be infinitely “inspired”.

For me, travelling was one of my biggest passion in life. I thought Montreal was boring, I wanted more adventure abroad in foreign cities and countries. As a photographer, I wanted to travel in order to make beautiful images.

Now that I've combine my career in photography with a new dream...to be a nomad trader. Although my "career" evolved, my passion for travel and photography never ceased.

I consider myself to be homeless, living out of my carry on and backpack. I am based in Montreal, but I don't have a place I call "home". As I’m currently typing these words from my mom's place, but it makes me feel happy to know that I will be back on the road sometime soon. My thirst for travel will soon take me back on the road again, as soon as we can travel again.I was in Thailand and Vietnam, just about a year ago in 2019.

What does it mean to me to be a Digital Nomad.

To live a nomadic lifestyle, means I'm not tied down to a certain city or country. I'm always living “on the road”, and I' not 100% sure where you’re going to travel to or move to next. Being a “nomad” means that I'm technically not “traveling.”, but also never permanently “settled”. I'm not really a tourist; visiting a foreign country, but more a "temporary" citizen of a certain place. Being a Digital Nomad also mean I am able to continue making my living by using digital tools and technology, I basically only need a laptop and a "reliable" internet connection.

Why do I like to living that nomadic life?

I like having flexibility and freedom in my life. I get bored easily of one location, so living a nomadic life allows for more fun, variety, and challenge in my life. For me, living a digital nomadic lifestyle allows maximum personal freedom and flexibility in my life.

The discomfort of living a nomadic lifestyle is what challenges us to grow, evolve, and become stronger. I think a lot of modern-day suffering comes from the fact that once we “settle down” in one location, we just get bored. When I spend too much time in Montreal, I feel myself degenerating, getting angrier, more easily upset, being less productive and less ambitious. I love to be constantly in a “state of flux” and constant change is what keeps me sharp and mentally fit.

The freedom to travel and move around, and not to be a slave to someone else. Essentially, owning yourself. So If I no longer desire to live in a certain neighborhood, home, or environment, I can pack my bags and move.

The importance of money.

For me, money is only important because it allows me to be free. To make a good living, for a nomad, simply means to pay my hotel room , food and entertainment. I have no more desire for material possession. I like to live from my carry on and backpack, living a minimalist life allows me to be free. I've reduced my living expenses to the absolute bare minimum. The less I spend, the more money I save for future expeditions.

This is how I keep my living expenses low:

Travel to South East Asia where life is full of excitement and cost of living is extremely affordable.

Don’t buy things that you don't need, don’t waste money buying superfluous clothes, accessories, cameras, tech gear beyond what you need. Everything should fit in a carry on and a backpack. Travel light.

VTL