How to beat loneliness when nomading
And if speaking’s not your thing, you can still join us in Japan this October for 10 days of panels, workshops, and cultural adventures with nomads from all over the world.
🎟 Use code FREAKINGNOMADS20 for 20% off tickets at colivefukuoka.com.
Hey Freaking Nomads,
Let's bust a myth about digital nomadism straight away.
Some people think being a digital nomad means having friends in every country, dancing barefoot at sunset parties, or working from cool cafés surrounded by like-minded people.
And sometimes, yeah, it’s like that.
But not always.
Because there are days when you show up in a new big city, open Google Maps, and realize you don’t know a single person within 5,000 km.
There are nights when you scroll Instagram while eating dinner alone for the third day in a row.
And there are weeks when you feel more like a ghost passing through than someone who belongs anywhere.
Loneliness isn’t something we like to talk about in the nomad community. But I’ll say it: it happens.
To all of us.
The good news? You can do something about it.
After years of traveling full-time, I’ve figured out what actually helps. And I'm here to share it with you.
My 6 honest tips to feel less alone while nomading
1/ Go where the nomads are
Some places just make it easier to meet people. The moment you land, you feel it.
These are my favorite hubs with awesome nomad communities: Ko Lanta, Bansko, Da Nang, Oaxaca, Chiang Mai, and Cape Town.
Walk around, and you’ll find your people there, trust me!
2/ Avoid big cities, go small instead
In huge cities, everyone’s rushing somewhere. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd.
But in small towns? People notice you. Locals chat with you. Expats invite you for drinks. It happened to me in Dahab, Weligama, Sal Island and Dali among other places.
Smaller towns feel warmer, and the connections run deeper. That's why I personally love them.
3/ Don’t isolate yourself while working
Working alone in your Airbnb for days is the fastest path to feeling disconnected.
Try working from cafés or treat yourself to a coworking pass. I know, it's extra money spent, but sometimes it’s worth it.
Not only can you meet people over coffee breaks, but coworkings often organize social events. That’s how I personally met a ton of friends at Kohub in Ko Lanta, Coworking Bansko, and Impact Hub Budapest.
4/ Stay in colivings when you need it
Yes, private apartments are definitely cheaper, you are right. But coliving spaces have the advantage of being built around a community, by design.
I personally loved Nomadico Medellin (Caobo’s home) and Co.404 in Oaxaca. I joined Mezcal tasting, hikes, home parties, and spontaneous coworking days.
It felt like the family I really needed at the time.
5/ Join nomad events
This is a bit controversial, as I know not all people are extroverted (I'm an introvert myself) and like to go to big events where strangers just come to you to talk. And I also know sometimes these events are not even cheap, but I'm telling you that it's worth it.
There are some really cool events out there, like the Vietnam Nomad Fest in Da Nang, the Colive Fukuoka or the Bansko Nomad Fest, which are genuinely a good chance to meet nice people, do some cool activities and... just have fun.
6/ Find a travel buddy
A lot of people I met decide to team up and travel together, whether it's nomadic friends or even remote work colleagues who work for the same company.
They don't always travel together, but sometimes they just have the same destination in mind, so they decide that it's smarter to split the cost, share the experience and meet others along the way, too. That's an awesome way to travel in pairs and even meet other people. You would be surprised how often it happens in the nomad community!
7/ Join Telegram or WhatsApp chats when you arrive
Nearly every digital nomad hotspot has a local chat group, sometimes even multiple ones. They’re goldmines for real-time info, meetups, housing, events, or just asking “Anyone up for coffee?”
You usually find them by Googling, checking the pinned posts in Facebook groups, or asking around, but at Freaking Nomads we made it even easier and we’ve collected the best chats and communities for nomads around the world.
Go browse them. And don’t be shy, drop a message and say hi. You’ll be surprised how quickly people reply.
So, to wrap it up, being lonely doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
And you also don’t have to do it alone.
This lifestyle is full of people just like you, searching for connection, belonging, and something real.
Sometimes, all it takes is showing up in the right place… or starting the conversation yourself.
Let’s keep talking about it.
I'm personally rooting for you from wherever I am.
Cheers,
Luca
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🧑‍💻 Nomad Resource of the Week
Insurance is one of those things every nomad dreads. Policies are confusing, and when you really need help… you’re often left hanging.
That’s why a group of actual nomads who know this world and constantly attend digital nomad events built NOMADS.insure. They’re not an insurance company but an independent broker, which means they can look across different providers and help you find something that actually fits your lifestyle (and your visa requirements).
Here’s why we like them:
- Made by nomads, for nomads
- They compare plans from trusted names like Genki, Allianz, AXA, and more
- Real support if you need to make a claim
- Options for both long-term travel insurance and full international health coverage
Check out more travel-friendly tools in our full gear guide or browse all our recommended resources.
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