“Do you think it’s that easy? You should know! Just because you sold some pictures doesn’t mean you’re successful! You’re struggling too!”
“I know, but at least I’m committed to living this lifestyle, and I try to make it work. You just don’t do enough!”
She wasn’t wrong. I hadn’t committed yet.
When we had talked about the digital nomad life for the first time, I was seduced by the seemingly pleasant and carefree lifestyle. I loved Lucille, and she convinced me. Within a few days after leaving Toronto, I decided to leave my uninteresting career in the graphic design industry to become a free agent, a traveller without borders, living from my creative work in different places of the globe. I felt free, in control and ready to enjoy the sweet life ahead. Just like that, I became a remote digital businessman.
But I needed to focus and organize myself to be successful. I contacted my sister in Toronto to end my lease and move all my possessions to a storage locker. She got annoyed, and we argued. It was a big ask, but she made it happen. As soon as I made up my mind, I started to miss and regret leaving my Canadian apartment. Was I making a mistake?
I purchased a laptop back in Bangkok. Then I spent a few days building my website and quickly created social media accounts on various platforms. I completed my portfolio with whatever graphic design pieces I could gather. I wanted my design business to focus on travel and hospitality. I also started a personal Instagram account and posted a few posts showing temples, archeological sites, and local people in markets or the street. Life and history as I saw it with my foreigner’s eyes.
It just wasn’t as easy as Lucille told me. You needed to hustle to get clients, and it was just not my personality to ignite conversations and create business connections. So I struggled. But I kept trying for Lucille and to keep our dream alive. The more I tried, the happier Lucille was. When she saw I was working hard on my laptop, I noticed she often threw cute, loving glances at me. It kept me going. Or at least in appearance. I was trying, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t doing my best. This business model just wasn’t for me. I’m an office employee who likes structure, management taking over the big responsibilities and salespeople getting new clients. This freelance graphic design business relied entirely on me and me only. It just didn’t suit me. It was only a matter of time before my business fell apart.
After a few weeks, Lucille checked her phone and looked defeated. She hadn’t sold any photos in a while. “There’s too much competition, and I’m not good enough,” she said.
“You are good enough. But I think we were unprepared,” I replied.
She threw a dark look at me when I said that, but she then looked away and calmed down. “So do we just give up and go home?” she asked, frustrated.
“Well, we don’t have to give up right away. We still have some money. Why don’t we see the rest of Southeast Asia as a vacation for a few weeks, see if we get lucky and get some business? If we don’t, we go home and resume our lives back in Canada. What do you say?”
“Fine. We can do that,” she mumbled while scrolling down her phone screen.
