Myth 1: “It’s too dangerous to go alone.”
“If you walk around by yourself, you’ll get murdered for sure.”
The Reality Check: The world isn't the 24/7 horror film portrayed on the news. Danger is relative, and often, the places we're warned about are statistically safer than where we came from. For example, Madrid has a homicide rate five times lower than New York City. As a digital nomad, you learn to assess real risk, not media-fueled panic. While it’s crucial to be aware and trust your instincts—like stepping into a busy shop if a street feels off—blanket fear is a poor travel guide. Most of your time will be spent navigating mundane tasks, not fending off movie villains.
Myth 2: “You can’t trust the basics, like the water.”
“I heard that if you drink the water, you’ll get sick and die.”
The Reality Check: This myth stems from a condescending view that the rest of the world is an “uncivilized ghetto.” While you should always check local advisories (apps like Water-Well are great for this), much of the world has excellent infrastructure. Spain, and most of Europe, has perfectly safe and delicious tap water. Many countries popular with nomads boast high-speed trains, reliable internet, and modern amenities that can surpass what you're used to at home. Don't let ignorance about infrastructure limit your destinations.
Myth 3: “Don’t talk to strangers.”
“You’ll probably get kidnapped and sold into the sex trade.”
The Reality Check: As a digital nomad, your entire lifestyle is built on talking to strangers—from the co-working space manager to the person next to you at a café who becomes your new business contact. Solo travel is impossible without human interaction. The key isn't to fear everyone, but to hone your intuition. Most people are good. Paranoia will only isolate you and rob you of the connections that make this lifestyle so rich. Trust your gut; if a situation feels wrong, remove yourself. But don't start from a place of universal distrust.
Myth 4: “The people you stay with could be criminals.”
“How do you know the people you’re staying with aren’t ax murderers?”
The Reality Check: This was a real question posed to the author about her volunteer farm stay hosts, who turned out to be a warm, welcoming family. Whether you're using Workaway, Airbnb, or staying in a co-living space, you're interacting with people who are part of a system. The vast majority are not elaborate criminals. Think logically: there are far easier ways for criminals to operate than by setting up detailed profiles on specialized websites. Your experiences of generosity and kindness will far outnumber any negative encounters.
Myth 5: “Organized tours are a better and safer option.”
“If you have to do this, why not just go on a tour? It would be so much safer.”
The Reality Check: This advice completely misses the point. The digital nomad and perpetual traveler ethos is about independence, flexibility, and authentic experiences. Being “shepherded around to museums and famous cathedrals,” as the author puts it, is the opposite of that freedom. You didn't build a remote business to have someone else dictate your schedule. Solo travel is about challenging yourself and forging your own path, not paying a premium for a pre-packaged, sanitized experience.
Myth 6: “You’ll be crippled by homesickness.”
“What if you get homesick and want to come home?”
The Reality Check: You will almost certainly feel homesick at some point. It's a natural part of being human. But the magic happens when you can't just book a flight home. Being forced to push through the discomfort is where real growth occurs. You adapt, you build resilience, you practice the local language, you make new friends, and you learn to enjoy your own company. These moments of difficulty are what make the journey transformative and equip you with the mental fortitude needed for a long-term nomadic life.
Myth 7: “You’re jeopardizing your future.”
“You might decide you don’t want a career. Or you’ll be unmotivated when you get back.”
The Reality Check: This is the biggest lie of all. Extended travel doesn't jeopardize your future; it enhances it. It provides you with invaluable soft skills: independence, problem-solving, cross-cultural communication, and resilience. These are assets in any professional endeavor. The author, for example, took time off to travel and still graduated with honors from a top university. For digital nomads, travel _is_ the career, or at least the environment that enables it. It fosters motivation, not apathy.
Myth 8: “You need to get it out of your system.”
“I guess it’s good you’re getting this out of your system now, while you’re young.”
The Reality Check: Wanderlust isn't a disease to be cured; it’s a passion to be nurtured. Travel breeds more travel. The more you see, the more you realize how much there is to see. For the true digital nomad, this isn't a 'gap year' phase. It's a conscious, sustainable life design. The skills and desires you cultivate on the road don't fade; they become a core part of who you are, guiding your choices for years to come.
