When I announced my decision to become a digital nomad, the overwhelming response on social media was filled with curiosity and encouragement. Many asked how a 24-year-old from Bangladesh could afford such a lifestyle. Here's my story—a tale of breaking barriers and living a dream far beyond conventional paths.
Imagine cooking a complex dish. To make a dish good, you need all the right ingredients and a kitchen with the right tools. But to make the dish great, you need the right ingredients in the right balance put together with the proper use of tools. For a nomadic life, the ingredients are money, geographical freedom, and a daring leap of faith. My kitchen was equipped with a supportive family: loving parents and a caring brother, all pivotal in preparing this life recipe.
Let me guide you through how all these components blend to make a dream come true. If someone aspires to travel the world, the foremost requirement is money. Let's face it, traveling isn't cheap, and there's no denying this unless one is willing to adopt a minimalist lifestyle. Alongside financial resources, you also need geographical freedom—no binding ties to any specific place that might hold you back. However, ample funds and the ability to roam freely aren't enough unless you're willing to shed decades of psychological conditioning that foster risk aversion and a preference for stability. I refer to this as stepping out of your comfort zone or, in simpler terms, taking a significant leap of faith.
Acknowledging one's privileges is essential, and I want to be no exception. I am going to quote Zuckerberg here – “I know lots of people who haven’t pursued dreams because they didn’t have a cushion to fall back on if they failed.” My family provided that cushion. Whether offering emotional support or financial backup, they ensured I could chase my dreams without fear of falling too hard. My brother's commitment to care for our parents in my absence was also crucial, allowing me peace of mind while exploring the world.
How did I achieve financial independence in my early twenties? It began with a well-paid remote job at Zelf Technologies, a New York-based startup backed by Sequoia Capital, where I am now the Chief of Staff, promoted from the Lead Product Designer. Well, how did I land on this job? An early start, a little bit of luck and a fair share of expertise. My career began in sixth grade as a brand identity designer, eventually shifting towards product design. Over more than a decade, I expanded my expertise to include programming, data analysis, filmmaking, and photography. Each skill contributed significantly to my professional profile.
After high school, I was torn between engineering and design but ultimately pursued a BBA at IBA, University of Dhaka. Initially, I hated my decision after admitting myself to IBA and had a lot of second thoughts. Two years down the line I was ready to let go of IBA and move to the states to study design. Even after getting into one of the best design schools in the States, the situation didn’t allow me to switch. But now that I look back, I can totally see how everything that happened actually happened for the best. I didn’t fit at IBA. And the best college is one where one doesn’t fit. A place that challenges one to grow out of their comfort zone. IBA did it right for me. Not only I was groomed to run teams, I was challenged mentally everyday to grow as a person.
At Zelf, I progressed from a product designer to senior, then lead, and finally to Chief of Staff, a role made possible not just by my design experience but also by my proactive learning, adaptability, and how I was groomed at IBA in general.
Product design’s universal relevance helped me secure a remote job essential for a digital nomad. Possessing skills that transcend geographical boundaries, like programming and data science, is crucial for breaking free from traditional work environments.
It's said that one should follow their heart, but knowing when to do so is key. My heart wanted to be a filmmaker, I decided to go for a career in tech. My heart at some point wanted me to leave my job and focus on entrepreneurship, brain convinced me to run for another promotion instead. My heart wanted a work life balance, brain said you will never be 24 again. My heart wanted the weekend hangouts, but my brain asked me to meet the deadlines. Heart wanted to buy a black magic cinema camera, but brain said to invest the money. Brain said to apply for masters, the heart said, go travel the world. I rejected my heart hundreds of times so that I could listen to it once. This balance between desire and duty has defined my path. These choices weren’t always easy, but they were necessary to build the life I wanted.
This journey of becoming a digital nomad at a young age, of gaining financial freedom and geographical independence, accompanied by leaps of faith, illustrates a path less traveled. It's about knowing when to listen to your heart and when to use your head. Each decision, whether based on passion or pragmatism, has shaped my life profoundly.
For those aspiring to this lifestyle, understand your privileges, recognize the practicalities, and prepare to balance your aspirations with realistic strategies.
Cheers to breaking free! 🍻
