When did you stop doing this?

Hey Freaking Nomads,

Lately, I’ve been thinking about all the things we leave behind when we choose a life that fits into a backpack.

Not just furniture or extra clothes. But pieces of ourselves.

How many hobbies did we leave at home, simply because we thought we didn’t have space or time for them anymore?

As digital nomads, we get really good at optimizing. We optimize our luggage. Our routines. Our work setups. Our daily schedules. Everything has to earn its place. And slowly, without even noticing, the “non-essential” things start disappearing.

For me, it was the colouring books. The baking tools. The embroidery kits. The physical books. The little rituals that once had nothing to do with productivity or performance, only with joy.

Yes, some hobbies aren’t super portable (although if you travel with a guitar, you’re definitely really cool!) But so many of them actually weigh almost nothing.

So, recently, I consciously decided to bring some of my old hobbies back with me. I started buying real books again. I’m looking at new embroidery patterns. I even made peace with the fact that my suitcase might be a little heavier.

And you know what? It feels lighter.

We talk so much about freedom in this lifestyle. The freedom to choose where we live. How we work. When we move. But freedom also means allowing ourselves to create, to be bored, to play, and to do things that don’t “scale.”

So, if you've also optimized your routine a little too much, reclaim one small thing you loved before your life became mobile. Buy that 100-piece puzzle. Pick up that sketchbook. Bake something just for fun in that tiny Airbnb kitchen.

Maybe bringing our hobbies back into our nomadic lives is how we make this lifestyle sustainable, not just exciting.

Sending lots of love (while I’m sewing) xx

🌍 Fresh from our Blog

• Everyone talks about eSIMs like they’re the best travel hack ever. And honestly, they kind of are... Until they’re not. Here’s what we’ve learned from using them across multiple countries over the years.

Pros and Cons of eSIMs for International Travel

Travel eSIMs make staying connected abroad easy. Learn the pros and cons, safety tips, and why Holafly is our go-to choice for unlimited data.

Freaking NomadsKiara Conaghan

• Tulum can feel touristy and CDMX too fast. Puerto’s that sweet spot where you can work, surf, and forget what day it is. And yeah, the Wi-Fi actually holds up here.

Digital Nomad Guide to Living in Puerto Escondido

Curious about Puerto Escondido for your digital nomad lifestyle? This guide covers coworking spaces, cafes, cost of living, best spots to visit, and more.

Freaking NomadsAngelina Bertoni

• If you’ve ever Googled “Ireland digital nomad visa,” you’ve probably seen a dozen contradictory answers. But Ireland does still welcome remote workers. You just have to play by a different set of rules.

Ireland Digital Nomad Visa: Application and Requirements

Thinking of working remotely from Ireland? Here’s how to stay legally with Stamp 0, short-stay visas, and other options.

Freaking NomadsPamela Leon

🧑‍💻 Nomad Resource of the Week

I don’t say this lightly, but the Nexstand K2 Laptop Stand has saved my neck SO many times. It weighs basically nothing, folds down into the tiniest stick, and somehow still manages to lift your laptop high enough that you don’t look like a shrimp while working 🦐

I’ve thrown it into backpacks, carry-ons, tote bags… it survives everything. And it sets up in two seconds, which is exactly the amount of patience I have when I’m opening my laptop in a random café.

It’s cheap, it works awesome, and it’s stupidly travel-friendly. Honestly, for nomads, it just makes sense.

🙏 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 Kiara Conaghan

Australian freelance journalist in the UK, chasing off-beat stories and hidden histories through travel, interviewing remarkable people and exploring lesser-known places.

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