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- It's Christmas | Issue #0018
It's Christmas | Issue #0018
Christmas isn’t stopping you it seems!
Last week’s poll showed that most of you are still nomadding over the holiday and chilling with friends or locals. Whatever you’re doing - whether celebrating or not - we hope you’re taking at least a little time out.
This week we’re taking the foot off the gas too and just sharing some interesting or fun nomad and festive links to keep your brain and dopamine ticking over. We have had an aptly-timed chat with an expert gratitude practioner though!
Enjoy the holiday 🎅🏻
STORYTIME
Is this the coolest of nomad jobs?
No big news story for you this week as Christmas slows down much of the world. This is a story we were told about by a nomad who stopped by our desk and pointed at our Patagonia gear.
Many of you will have used stuff on your travels that this guy has tested on your behalf.Not everyone wants this much adventure in their lives, but you’re digital nomads, so we’re sure you are up for some!
Here’s a five minute read about the life of a gear tester for Patagonia.
WHAT ELSE…
🎒 This is a serious travel bug, really serious: It’s not unusual to hear of travellers and nomads - even digital ones - striving to tick off as many countries as possible, and maybe them all. These guys are taking that to another level.
🏷️ Your Christmas present could be a lifesaver: Well, save you a load of hassle. If you get an Apple Airtag this could save you a lot of effort finding lost luggage.
🎅🏻 Where does your wishlist go? Perhaps you’re not doing this any more (and if not, why not?), but this is what happens to the many, many letters sent to Santa Claus asking for the latest phone, cuddly toy or fidget spinner.
🐓 A new way to save money on your next trip? Check-in chicken is pretty much what it sounds like. Quite a few regular travellers swear by it.
☕️ Pricing news from the big dog in coffee There are surely none of you who’ve never worked out of a Starbucks. For those who operate regularly from one, there’s big news that follows a number of changes the new CEO has announced this year.
TIME FOR OTHERS…AND FOR YOU
The perfect time to stop and feel grateful
It’s quite often a season for others, but the theme quickly shifts to the New Year and what it might mean for you. Whether you are a resolution person or not, 1st Jan serves as a good reason to consider what direction you are going.
Gratitude has become one of the more celebrated techniques to dial into yourself and your path over the last couple of years.
However, you’re probably not getting what you could out of it on your own - or have the wrong idea of what it is or can do. That’s what Seeds of Gratitude founder, Maria Hansen, thinks:
How’s the digital nomad life treating you?
I’ve been nomadding since 2022. Spain-based mostly, but I’ve been loving being in Chiang Mai for the last few weeks, so it’s great we can connect as I’ve loved the newsletter! Meeting people in and from different communities around the world has been amazing.
You’ve built your community while you’ve been nomadding then?
Yes, the Seeds of Gratitude is made up of people globally who want share, and learn to create joy through gratitude. We have an online community with workshops, but I also put on in-person wherever I am in the world!
Who are the people who usually join the community?
Mostly people in a similar position to me who need something accessible at times convenient to them, and from wherever they are. This has created a community of people all seeking a similar thing, and who want to explore gratitude.
They likely know some about it then. What are common misconceptions?
Mostly that it is a bit woo-woo or abstract, and that it’s a form of toxic positivity. But really it is a tool to help navigate the highs and lows that nomads can feel more than most. It’s not about feeling happy all the time, but to meet challenges effectively.
What happens in one of your workshops?
We dive into research-based benefits of gratitude and use them to grab inspiration for actions they can take. It’s interactive, and attendees can contribute as much as they like. The first workshop of the year is a Gratitude Mapping workshop here in Chiang Mai, where they’ll walk away with a personalised map for 2025.
If people can’t make this one, how can they adopt gratitude in their lives?
Most people using gratitude on their own get stuck using quite generic questions. I would recommend using what I call the “Thankful Trinity” to get deeper meaning from theirs; 1) Keep it fresh/recent, 2) Make it scalable - perhaps start small; your garden view or morning coffee, 3) Make it precise - use the 5 why’s, so keep asking why you are grateful for it until you get to the deeper reason.
Maria is holding an in-person event in Chiang Mai in the new year, and you can find out more on Facebook or sign up on Nomeo.
Or you can contact Maria here to find out about the Seeds of Gratitude community and join her online workshops.
SPREAD THE WORD
Have you been forwarded The Digital Nomad by a friend? If so, make sure you don’t miss out on future issues by signing up to get it every Tuesday.
Do you have friends who are digital nomads, or are planning on being? If you think they could use a quick weekly fix of what’s happening in their world, then share this link.
Or, simply share it on your socials with the links at the top of this newsletter.
POLL
What are you most grateful for?After our chat with Maria, did it spark something? (Try using the 5 why's on these!) |
BRAIN FOOD
What’s hot this week
Book - It’s not the new year yet, but this classic read will prepare you to start it more clutter-free. Essentialism, by Greg McKeown, is well-known now, but this is the time of year to revisit it.
App - Well, a webapp. Ok, it’s a game. In fact, even that’s generous. Kill some time and discover your reaction time with some pretty confetti.
Music - We don’t usually share one track, but if you’re not a TikTok user you might be in the dark on this one. Lola Young’s Messy is surely a shoo-in for a Grammy.
Music - Here’s the ultimate Christmas music playlist (well, one of them!) in case you aren’t getting in the mood yet.
Movies - Or, if you’ve not watched A Christmas Carol, Love Actually, or Die Hard yet this year, then find your favorite Christmas movie on this list.
Game - Kill even more time this week while work has slowed. Here are some addictive free Christmas-themed games to lounge about with.
Drop us an email at [email protected] if you have any recommendations we should share!
QUIZ
If you have hours to spare this Christmas then try this. If not, don’t!
GCHQ’s annual Christmas challenge is not for the impatient.
CONNECT TO CHIANG MAI
Fill your social calendar in Chiang Mai
Steve’s Email A weekly resource and email for events around the city.
Digital Nomad WhatsApp A long-standing group that spawned a range of sub-groups for almost any niche and interest in the city.
For up-to-date events in the city, join the Activities/Events WhatsApp group.
ChiangMai Fit WhatsApp If you want to do something active (trust us, being fit isn’t a prerequisite!) then find wholesome activities throughout the week here.
Quickly becoming the go-to in Chiang Mai - and Bali too - for finding and joining meetups and events is Nomeo.
The Nomad Summit is in town from 17th January, so now’s a good time to grab your ticket and plan your Nomad Week events.
Yellow Coworking Telegram. For more about what is happening at Yellow and to be part of their conversation, join in here.
COWORKING IN CHIANG MAI
If you are in the city, or heading over soon, then check out the current packages - from day passes to monthly or annual memberships - here.
Or, just get in touch with Mickey or the team at Yellow Coworking at [email protected].
Do You Know How Much Currency To Bring On International Trips?
The average group brings $700 cash for a 12-night trip, so they never miss out. Tips, taxis, shopping at markets and having a backup plan make bringing some cash a must-have travel item. Order currency online today to beat climbing rates and get your currency delivered to your home as soon as the next day. Currency exchange has never been easier. Your happy travels start here.
MAKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD LIFE EASIER
Resources for digital nomads everywhere
What we’ve accumulated from previous issues - from fellow nomads, interviews with thought leaders, great deals from partners, and some local heroes in Chiang Mai too:
SafetyWing, who also offers digital nomad insurance, started running community events in various locations around the world. A few participants in a Chiang Mai one even won a meal out at a top restaurant in the city!
Genki also do worldwide digital nomad insurance.
Remote Rebellion. Start or re-ignite your remote working journey with Michelle - a career coach specialising in remote roles and nailing them down.
Connect with other digital nomads and build your network with Digital Nomad Adventures.
Contact Liselle for a LinkedIn or resume revamp.
If decision-making is not your forte, get in touch with Hannah Wang - a decision-making coach for entrepreneurs, business owners and big corporates.
Find out how your passport measures up, and where you and your friends, family or partner can easily travel together to with Passport Index.
Stay safe online (and get TV from any country!) using NordVPN. They’ve got a festive deal on with up to 74% off and 3 free months.
Simo - we featured these guys and their hotspots last week, but it turns out they’ve got an even BETTER deal on now. 35% off hotspots up until 23rd.
Airalo - a marketplace for eSIM data packs for more than 200 countries. Get 15% off if you are new and use this link and the code NEWTOAIRALO15, or 10% off if you are an existing user using AIRALOESIM10.
If you’re in Chiang Mai, these are some of the nomad favorites:
Healthy Junk is the go-to for healthy food when you are in Chiang Mai. Dine in, out, or get it delivered.
Grab a locally-sourced coffee a few steps from Yellow at Toffee Roasters. Go say hi to Tem, the owner, who is also opening up a sandwich joint next door in the coming weeks.
Get your meal prep from Chef Fuji. Healthy, macro-focused food, delivered across Chiang Mai.
Do you like the look of The Digital Nomad? You can build a great-looking newsletter of your own with beehiiv, even with their free plan.
COMMUNITY
Get seen by digital nomads everywhere
We would love to hear from you if you have some valuable knowledge, products or services, information, or just a fun or crazy digital nomad story.
This is an opportunity to get some extra eyes on your thing, or if you just like to write or provide information to other nomads.
Drop us an email at [email protected] if you:
have a product or service that could help other digital nomads
operate a travel blog, channel or platform that we can spotlight
took a photo we could feature along with your portfolio or IG
…just have a great digital nomad story!