In this fresh interview in my series of interviews with digital nomads, I talked to Andy Stofferi, a digital marketer and blogger from Belgium.
He’s been running a fully remote digital marketing agency for the past 10 years and sharing his insights about the future of work on his blog.
What made you decide to be a digital nomad?
I became a digital nomad shortly after setting up my agency as I realised that my customers did not need me to be physically present in their offices or in my home country to deliver good results.
My passion for travel and the ability to work remotely made me realize that this was the best lifestyle for me.
How do you make a living as a digital nomad?
My sources of income include my digital marketing agency, a recently launched remote work consulting agency, and my blog.
What are the best cities for digital nomads in your experience?
Some of the best cities for digital nomads, in my experience, include central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan) for mountain lovers, Budapest and Tbilisi in Europe, Antalya, and Chile.
How many hours a day do you work on average and how do you stay productive?
I work 7-8 hours a day on average.
I maintain productivity through a routine that includes waking up at the same time, exercising or running before work, avoiding social media and notifications, staying fit through activities like singing and kickboxing, and finding balance between work and life.
What do you wish you had known before you became a digital nomad?
To better balance my work-life time, as it is easy to either work too much or enjoy social life too much.
Like with everything in life, finding the right balance is important. However, I don’t think knowing this beforehand would have helped me much, as I believe it comes with practice.
What’s your favourite thing about the digital nomad lifestyle?
The freedom and location-independent lifestyle is my favourite aspect of the digital nomad lifestyle, as it allows me to meet new people and expand my mind every day.
As a slowmad, I stay in each destination for at least a few months, enjoying the opportunity to discover new cultures and meet new people, especially in mountainous and coastal regions and through hiking.
What are your plans for the future?
My future plans include growing my blog for digital nomads and remote workers, recording inspiring videos, publishing songs, and exploring Japan and South Korea for a few months.