The truth about nomad friendships no one talks about

The nomadic life has something so beautiful about it, doesn’t it?

We go from one country to another, meet incredible people, and somehow every place gifts us a new version of ourselves.

But in all that movement, connections (whether romantic or not) can feel fleeting. Some burn bright and fade fast. Others slip away slowly until you realize it’s been weeks since you last spoke to someone who once felt so close.

And then there’s the phone. Our lifeline and our trap. We try to stay connected, sending voice notes across time zones, scrolling through friends’ stories from a world away. It’s easy to feel like you’re everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

I don’t think there’s a golden rule for staying close when everything and everyone keeps moving. But maybe it’s about slowing down. Finding small rituals that feel natural: a lazy Sunday call, a random photo sent just because, a message that doesn’t demand an instant reply.

It’s also about letting go of the idea that every trip has to bring “friends for life.” Some connections are just meant to belong to that chapter... and that doesn’t make them any less meaningful.

What matters most, I think, is quality over quantity. Caring for the people who make you feel grounded, while giving yourself permission to set boundaries when you need space. Because being “everywhere for everyone” will only make you feel lonelier in the end.

Maybe the secret is simply to be present, even when distance gets in the way. To choose where your energy goes and to accept that you can’t be everywhere… but you can be fully where you are.

With warmth from wherever I am today,

🌍 Fresh from our Blog

• Bogotá usually gets skipped for Medellín or Cartagena. But it’s cheaper, cooler (literally), and packed with soul. Here’s why this underdog capital might be Colombia’s best nomad base.

Bogotá for Digital Nomads: The Ultimate Guide

Explore Bogotá’s best spots for digital nomads: coworking spaces, cafés, connectivity & more. Dive into the ultimate guide about Bogotá.

Freaking NomadsDiana Mirs

• One eSIM to rule them all? BNESIM says yes. 200+ countries, zero airport chaos. We tried it so you don’t have to. Here’s our no-BS review.

BNESIM Review: Global eSIM Tried and Tested in 4 Countries

Tested across 4 countries, this BNESIM review reveals how its global eSIM performs for digital nomads and frequent travelers.

Freaking NomadsAngelina Bertoni

• Moving abroad solo is exciting… until the paperwork hits. StartAbroad handles your visa, bank accounts, and rentals, so you don’t lose your mind.

StartAbroad Review: The Best Relocation Service for Digital Nomads?

Candid review of StartAbroad: top relocation services for nomads and expats; visa help, moving support, and life in Costa Rica & Portugal today.

Freaking NomadsAngelina Bertoni

💼 100% remote jobs handpicked for you

Who is hiring this week? Here are some top roles to check out:

• Sales Development Representative (Full-Cycle Chat)
• Inbound Acquisition Manager (SEO / Youtube)
• Head of Product Design

🧑‍💻 Nomad Resource of the Week

We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again: having reliable internet as soon as you land in a new place is non-negotiable. That’s why we keep recommending eSIMs as the easiest solution. We often use Holafly, as it’s one of the most reliable providers out there.

We’ve reviewed their eSIMs across the UK, China, Japan, and the USA, and they’ve saved us more times than we can count, especially when landing somewhere late at night with no SIM shops in sight.

That’s why we keep going back to Holafly:

• Instant setup: use their app or just scan a QR code and you’re online in seconds
• Coverage in 200+ destinations with unlimited data
• Monthly global plans available in Unlimited or Light (25GB)
• 24/7 support that actually replies fast

It’s not the cheapest option, but the reliability and unlimited data make it a smart investment, especially if you depend on internet for work or travel planning.

🙏 Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend who might like it and help us spread the word. This would help us a lot to spread the word about it!

💖 Join our Community Hub! Discover & review digital nomad places, find workspaces, track your countries and connect with like-minded people who are nomading just like you → Create your profile for free here.

📚 Want more digital nomad guides? Read our articles on all things nomad, including travel tips, budgeting & finance, legal and taxes, community, productivity and more.

If you haven't already, you can also follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Threads for more no-BS digital nomad content (and plenty of memes!)

We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads 👋

Written by Angelina Bertoni

After trying the conventional life, I packed everything into a backpack and started walking the world. I feel the energy of the spaces I explore — and that’s what I write about.

Why you can trust Freaking Nomads

Freaking Nomads is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free, helpful content. Learn more