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Hello Everyone!

If you’re new to the idea of adopting the digital nomad lifestyle, you may be wondering about its true pros and cons.

Let’s talk about ‘em.

Pros:

• You get so much together time. It’s really special to be with your favorite people every day.

• You don’t have to talk about what you want to see—you go and see it. As a word nerd, seeing my kids in front of the Rosetta Stone was some kind of spiritual.

• Every day is a learning opportunity. From navigating the subway and bus system in a foreign country to learning a few phrases in the local language and trying new foods, the world is your classroom.

• You build incredible resilience. Packing up and moving around a new country means handling new challenges constantly, and you see your kids (and yourself) grow stronger from it.

• Exposure to different cultures is priceless. Living in new environments opens up conversations about traditions, history, and different ways of living that a textbook just can’t offer.

• No two days are the same. Whether it’s finding a hidden café, stumbling upon a local festival, or taking a spontaneous detour, the surprises keep life v exciting.

• You get to live in the moment. When you're on the road, there’s less space for the usual distractions. It's all about exploring, learning, and making memories.

• Flexibility is your new superpower. Whether you’re figuring out time zones or adjusting plans on the fly, the unpredictability of life on the road teaches your family to roll with whatever comes your way.

Cons:

• You get so much together time. Yep, this was my first pro. It’s also a con. Sometimes it’s annoying to have so much together time.

• You’ll miss your garbage disposal. Some comforts of home are hard to find abroad—garbage disposals, dryers, Target, and Amazon.

• Routine? What’s that? Constant travel can make it tough to establish a consistent routine, leaving you feeling discombobulated when you crave some structure.

• Fast Wi-Fi is a luxury. There will be days when working or homeschooling feels like an Olympic event, thanks to dodgy internet connections. Ask my husband about this. Actually, don’t. 😬

• Pets. We have a dog. She came with us to Mexico, which was great. She didn’t come to Greece (we didn’t want her to kill all the cats) or the UK.

• The emotional toll of goodbyes. Leaving behind new friends and favorite places can be hard, especially for kids who just made a great new playmate.

• Living out of a suitcase isn’t always glamorous. The thrill of minimalism wears off when you realize you're rotating the same three outfits...again. I actually bought a bunch of cute new clothes before I left for the UK. I packed like 5 outfits.

• Jet lag can be a beast. Crossing time zones may sound exciting, but dealing with cranky kids (or a cranky self) at 3 a.m. because you’re still on “home time” isn’t fun.

• The time difference is hard. If you have to be on calls in America and you currently reside in Africa, it’s rough.

I know every digital nomad is different. I find comfort in having a home base. We’re based in Salt Lake City, UT, and it’s comforting to come home and be surrounded by people we know and mountains. But it’s also awesome to pack up, rely on only each other, and see the world.

Hope this helps!

Hit reply and let me know if you have any questions!

Ashley

Loch Ness, Scotland

After listening to some serious podcasts about finding Nessie, we were pumped to check out Loch Ness in Scotland.

It did not disappoint.

The main reason? My son and husband spotted Nessie.

Unfortunately, I was in charge of driving on tiny roads on the opposite side of the road while handling a manual transmission and directions.

Needless to say, I did not see Nessie.

I did, however, have a blast on our Loch Ness boat tour, and it’s not just because I liked hearing the Scotsman’s accent for 45 straight minutes. We heard all the cool sighting stories, saw Urquhart Castle from the river, and the kids drove the boat. Yes, we’re still alive. I’m not writing this in the afterlife.

But, you know what I did see?

A Highland coo. So, my life is still complete.

And a Highland alpaca. That’s right, I didn’t even have to go to Peru. Look how in love this alpaca is with me. It’s literally smiling, you guys/gals/pals.

The upsides to Loch Ness? It could not be more beautiful.

The cons? The sun might not shine.

Either way, I vote: check it out.

(For a more detailed 3-day itinerary, check out the blog).

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