DIGITAL NOMADS: THE RISE OF A NEW SPECIES IN THE WORLD OF COWORKING

“Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost
In today’s competitive business world, we often hear the term ‘digital nomad’ being thrown around. However, what does it mean? What does the lifestyle of a digital nomad entail? Generally working in association with a shared office space, digital nomads are somewhat synonymous with freelancers but possess more spatial autonomy. Digital nomads work as web programmers, content specialists, travel or food bloggers, or international film critics on the internet. In essence, they are individuals who use telecommunication technologies to earn a living while navigating through life in a nomadic manner. While these professionals work remotely from home, coffee shops and/or public libraries most of the time, coworking spaces help them feel grounded by fostering a sense of belonging.

Breaking down the barriers of geography and challenging the concept of the ‘ideal’ professional, the digital nomad moves seamlessly through time and space, without being bound to a set location. Technological innovation plays a vital role in translating this once-improbable concept into reality as it facilitates prompt connections with individuals around the world. Therefore, with the advent of the internet, the early 2000s first witnessed the rise of the digital nomad. Today, the concept is gaining quick traction; a state-of-the-art coworking space in Gurgaon would definitely integrate digital nomads into their diverse community.

While the comparison with nomadic tribes seems apt, digital nomads are significantly different from them in certain aspects. While nomadic tribes flit rapidly from one location to another, digital nomads can work within the boundaries of their city or home town. World travel is not a prerequisite for being a digital nomad as location mobility does not define them as much as location autonomy. Temporal and spatial restrictions are not applicable for digital nomads. This emerging species holds the ability to accommodate unique diversities - photographers who capture eclectic snapshots once every 3 months, teenagers who design creatives at home while juggling college, art film connoisseurs who critique world cinema at film festivals and so on. All of them are digital nomads, whose lifestyles are as valid as that of traditional professionals, whose work ethic is as robust as every other diligent worker.

Digital nomads are known for being extremely accepting of professionals of their own kind, as they provide a warm welcome to new members of their “tribe.” They look out for each other and are generally more than happy to guide prospective digital nomads in their journey. Similar to the members of a coworking space, they are goal-driven, collaborative and harbour a strong sense of community. Travel opportunities and cultural assimilation for digital nomads are immense - for instance, 27-year-old travel blogger Shivya Nath has been leading a nomadic lifestyle for more than 2 years without a set home base. He has traversed through 6 continents and countless countries while executing work tasks with tenacious rapidity. When the passion for travel mingles with the urge to achieve, some individuals tend to be more efficient and productive, hence making the concept a successful one.

While this concept is still on the verge of fruition in India, more coworking spaces are welcoming digital nomads into their spaces. Whether or not this concept will become the dominant norm in key business arenas - only time will tell.