Chasing La Dolce Vita:

My Journey to Becoming A Global Local

I don’t know about you, but ever since I turned 30, I’ve been wrestling with a fierce case of wanderlust. It all started when I was quite young, mesmerized by my rather eccentric uncle who lived in the UK and seemed to constantly jet-set around the globe. I envied his luck, his ability to immerse himself in diverse cultures, and his knack for making friends from all corners of the world. As I grew older and began to travel myself, I encountered an unexpected form of heartache: I fell deeply in love with every new destination. The standard 5-10 day visits just didn’t cut it for me—I yearned to soak in each place, to truly embed myself in the local tapestry. More than a tourist, I wanted to be a familiar face, greeted by name in the neighborhood coffee shop.

Determined to turn this longing into my reality, I recognized two essential steps I needed to take: 1. Wait for my children to either be in college or embarking on their careers. 2. Ensure my husband could also embrace a work-from-anywhere lifestyle. We’re eyeing a 5-year timeline for this dream, with the first milestone well within sight. Currently, we’re navigating the possibilities of negotiating a flexible arrangement with my husband’s employer—aiming for a schedule that allows us to live remotely for stretches of time or perhaps even pivot to a new career trajectory. Our ultimate goal? To embody the digital nomad lifestyle with Florence as our home base, from which we’ll explore Europe, hopping on bullet trains to visit a myriad of breathtaking locales.

While this vision of life might not resonate with everyone, for those of you who feel that spark of excitement at the mention of new stamps in your passport or the search for the next flight out, here’s a glimpse into how we’re meticulously crafting our plan.

Crafting the Dream into Reality

But how does one go from daydreaming about an Italian villa to actually sipping espresso on its sun-drenched patio? It’s all about creating an actionable plan, and here’s where we dive into making our dreams a tangible reality.

1. Define Your Dream: Start with clarity. What does your digital nomad life look like? For me, it’s the Italian countryside, but for you, it might be a beachfront bungalow or a chic apartment in Paris. Define it, dream it, visualize it.
2. Financial Blueprint: The foundation of freedom is financial stability. Begin by mapping out your income streams—how will you sustain your lifestyle? Diversify your income, save diligently, and invest wisely. Your financial blueprint is your freedom ticket.
3. Streamline and Simplify: The less baggage (literally and figuratively), the better. Start simplifying your life now. Declutter, digitize, and downsize. What do you truly need to live your best life? Often, it’s less than you think.
4. Legalities and Logistics: Research and understand the requirements for living abroad, especially in your dream destination. Visas, health insurance, and taxes—get these ducks in a row well in advance.
5. Build a Support Network: Cultivate connections both at home and abroad. Engage with expat communities, join digital nomad groups, and network within your industry. These relationships will be invaluable.
6. Home Sweet Home Base: What to do with your current home? To rent, to sell, or to keep? Decide what makes the most sense for your lifestyle and financial plans. Ensure you have a solid plan for your property before you embark on your adventure.
7. Trial Run: Before you make the big leap, test the waters with a shorter trip. Work remotely from a new location for a few weeks or months. This experience will provide invaluable insights into your readiness and what adjustments you might need.

Molly Ho: A Tale of Transformation

Speaking of turning dreams into reality, we recently had the incredible Molly Ho on Tribe of Unicorns podcast, sharing her journey to becoming a digital nomad. Molly’s story is a powerful testament to what’s possible when you dare to dream big and take bold steps toward those dreams. From navigating the initial challenges to finding her rhythm in exotic locales, Molly’s adventure is packed with lessons and inspiration for all of us dreaming of a life untethered.

Your Turn to Dream Big

So, what’s your Italian villa? What’s the dream that sets your soul on fire? Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And while the path to living your digital nomad life might seem daunting, it’s absolutely achievable with the right plan, mindset, and community by your side.

Let’s dream big, take action, and create lives that are as expansive and beautiful as the world itself. Because, my dear, if not now, when? And if not us, who?

Take a listen to this episode with Molly from Tribe of Unicorns.