Digital nomadism from a life course perspective

Abstract

With the emergence of digital nomadism as a new form of lifestyle mobility, characterized by the combination of location-independent work with ongoing travel, the question arises whether digital nomadism represents a temporary life phase or a permanent new way of living. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences and perceptions of 27 digital nomads in Bali, Indonesia, aiming to interpret digital nomadism within the socio-historical context and individual life course. Results reveal diverse mobility histories, where mobile childhoods facilitated a digital nomad lifestyle. Regardless of the positive experiences with the lifestyle, participants viewed their high mobility as a temporary phase and desired more residential stability in the future, either by settling down or searching sustainable nomadic alternatives such as rotating between multiple bases. This research interprets digital nomadism as a temporary life phase that responds to the current individualized and digital society in which life courses have become de-standardized.