How to be happy and do what you like: life hacks of “online nomad” Jacob Laukaitis

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Wake up in the morning and decide to go to Singapore, and a month later drink coffee in Rio, while doing well at work. Fantastic? No, a way of life. We are already talking about Internet entrepreneur and web journalist Jacob Laukaitis. He calls himself an "online nomad": he has visited 25 countries and is not going to stop. Jacob told the readers of Lifehacker about the peculiarities of the nomadic lifestyle and shared recommendations for those who dream of freelancing and traveling.

What is freedom?

For me, freedom is everything.

Now you can work wherever there is a computer and Wi-Fi, so I am absolutely not tied to a place. One fine morning I can wake up and decide that I want to move to Alaska, to Nigeria, Kenya - anywhere. Immediately buy a ticket, fly away that evening and spend as much time in a new place as I want.

Has the nomadic lifestyle changed you as a person?

Of course! Now I look at the world much wider.

I saw how different the way of life of different people is, and I realized that there are no such concepts as “living right” and “living wrong”. For me, there are practically no taboo topics, I do not judge other people and as a result I feel much happier.

Do you need start-up capital to go on a journey around the world?

It depends on where you are going.

When I first started traveling, it took me less than a thousand euros a month for housing, entertainment, flights, food and so on. Now my expenses have increased, but I would still be spending a lot more if I lived in a metropolis like Moscow, London, San Francisco or Tokyo.

Is it possible to become a freelance traveling the world if you are not a web designer, copywriter or programmer, but, for example, a doctor?

This is much more difficult. The profession must be directly connected with the Internet, otherwise you will not be able to work, communicate with clients and partners.

Many teachers go abroad to teach English, and many doctors volunteer in developing countries. This is a wonderful life experience, but they cannot be called “online nomads” as they are tied to a certain place.

What qualities should a person possess when dreaming of combining work and travel?

I think the main thing is to understand that it is your job that allows you to lead such a lifestyle. Therefore, work should always be in the first place, and only then parties and other entertainment.

Now I devote all my working time to the online coupon service, which started a year and a half ago and is rapidly gaining momentum. I will never go to a party until I have done everything for today so that the company grows as quickly as possible.

Learn to be responsible for what you do, and then you can travel for years.

What's in your backpack?

I photographed everything that was in mine during a nine-month trip to Asia.

This is a passport, wallet, some clothes, toiletries, GoPro camera, tripod, MacBook Air, additional hard drive, chargers. Now I have even less things.

What are the downsides to living as an online nomad?

To be honest, I don't see any serious flaws.

I think the main problem for many is that it is difficult to keep in touch with family and friends when they spend most of their time on the road. Of course, while traveling, you meet a lot of wonderful people, but usually these relationships do not last long. In all other respects, I see only advantages.

Is it safe to be an "online nomad"?

Of course, it all depends on the region, but in general, Southeast and East Asia is absolutely safe. Yes, I happened to get into tense situations, but they did not pose a risk to my life. I don't carry a gas can in my backpack. But I do workout almost every day in the morning, so I can stand up for myself on occasion.

How long are you planning to travel the world?

I don't think about settling down yet. Maybe at the age of 30 … I'm not even sure that I can live in one place at all after so many years of wandering.

You wrote that you see no point in acquiring property. But what will you leave to your grandchildren?

Yes, I still don't see the point in purchasing property. I hate buying things. At the same time, I am an entrepreneur, I like doing business and making money.

All my belongings fit into a small backpack: some clothes, a computer and a camera. I also have stocks in my online companies and a bank account.

How do you see your life in 10 years? And after 20?

It is hard to say. Life is full of surprises, so you can never be sure what will happen today or tomorrow.

My only plan is to be happy, do what I like and not waste a second!

What are you dreaming about?

I dream of living happily and at the same time achieving all my goals.

I also dream of never losing the taste for life and adventure, because they say that over time the thirst for travel passes.

Share with our readers the life hacks of the "online nomad"

1. Work first, everything else later!
2. Always stay in hostels: you will meet a lot of interesting people there.
3. Strive to learn as much as possible about the local culture and language. For example, I already speak Chinese, a little Russian and Indonesian and really want to learn other languages.
4. Buy a one-way ticket (if you can afford it).
5. Always try to step out of your comfort zone. The best way to do this is. Try it!

Interviews translated by the community of translators.