When I first started living as a digital nomad, I believed that staying close to people—being physically near them all the time—was the key to maintaining strong relationships. But, surprisingly, I’ve found that traveling has allowed me to spend more quality time with my friends and family.
The shift didn’t happen overnight. At first, I traveled to random places just because they sounded cool or adventurous. Over time, though, I became more intentional about my destinations. I started visiting places where I already knew people or where friends were living temporarily.
For instance, a friend of mine was studying in Palo Alto, near San Francisco. I visited him and stayed on his couch for 15 days. During that time, we got to spend more time together than we ever had before. It was incredible—we cooked, talked, explored, and really connected. Experiences like this are possible because I can work remotely, giving me the freedom to build my travel plans around people, not just places.
Another example is when I was staying in Budapest. A friend came to visit me there for five days, and we had such an amazing time. Usually, when we hang out, it’s for a couple of hours—a workout, a dinner, maybe a longer walk. But living together, even briefly, created a much deeper connection. We shared meals, explored the city, and had long, unrushed conversations.
I also shared that Budapest apartment with a fellow WordPress developer for three weeks. It was a unique experience that worked out beautifully. We both respected each other’s work rhythms, focus times, and personal space. The temporary nature of the arrangement made it easier to keep things relaxed and enjoyable.
Now, whenever I visit family and friends in Munich, I plan ahead. I let people know I’m coming, and we carve out time to see each other. It’s amazing how much more intentional these meetups have become. People prioritize spending time together because they know I won’t be there indefinitely. It’s almost like a marketing principle: scarcity makes things feel more valuable.
In a strange way, traveling has made me more connected to the people I care about. Being intentional about where I go and who I see has led to deeper, more meaningful moments.
Lessons Learned
1. Prioritize Relationships:
Building strong connections takes effort. Whether it’s booking an extra flight, making a detour, or extending an invitation, it’s worth going the extra mile to see the people who matter to you.
2. Be Part of Communities:
Sometimes it’s about more than visiting. Joining communities or staying in touch with people in different cities can create opportunities for connection.
3. Family Time Looks Different, But It’s Just as Valuable:
When you live close to family, you see them more often but in smaller increments. As a digital nomad, I visit less frequently, but I stay longer. This gives me a unique perspective on the changes in their lives—it’s like watching a time-lapse of their growth and transitions. Both ways of connecting are beautiful, but the key is to make family a priority.
In the end, the common thread is clear: whether you’re living in one place or traveling the world, the quality of your relationships depends on the effort you put into them. By prioritizing the people I care about, I’ve found that I can deepen my connections—even while living a nomadic lifestyle.