Being a 'digital nomad' left me with PANIC ATTACKS

Being a 'digital nomad' left me with PANIC ATTACKS One of the early adopters of the lifestyle was Lauren Juliff. She quit her job at a supermarket in the UK in 2011 to follow her dream of traveling the world. But the experience eventually turned sour. It was supposed to be a dream come true - working remotely while traveling to exotic locations. The idea of being a digital nomad held such allure for so many people. No longer bound by the constraints of a traditional office job, they could work from anywhere in the world, exploring new cultures, living like a local, and posting envy-inducing pictures on their Instagram feeds. For Lauren Juliff, this lifestyle seemed like the answer to her dreams. She had always felt a deep wanderlust, a desire to explore the unknown and immerse herself in different cultures. So, in 2011, she took the plunge and quit her job at a supermarket in the UK to embark on her journey as a digital nomad. At first, everything seemed perfect. Lauren was able to work remotely as a freelance writer, which gave her the freedom to travel and work from anywhere in the world. She traveled to countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and Brazil, experiencing new places, meeting interesting people, and immersing herself in different cultures. But as time went on, Lauren began to feel overwhelmed and anxious. The constant moving from one place to another, the lack of a stable routine, and the pressure to constantly explore and document her experiences started to take a toll on her mental health. "I started to experience panic attacks," Lauren recalls. "I would have these moments of intense fear and anxiety, feeling like I couldn't breathe. It was terrifying." The panic attacks would come out of nowhere, triggered by a combination of stress, exhaustion, and the fear of the unknown. Lauren would find herself hyperventilating, her heart racing, and a sense of impending doom overwhelming her. "I had always thought that being a digital nomad would be this amazing, carefree lifestyle," Lauren says. "But the reality was far from it. The constant pressure to explore, the constant need to capture everything on social media, it was exhausting." Lauren realized that she had fallen into the trap of chasing the picture-perfect digital nomad lifestyle. The pressure to constantly post envy-inducing pictures on social media had overshadowed her true desire to connect with different cultures and truly immerse herself in the places she visited. "I was so focused on capturing the perfect Instagram shot that I wasn't fully experiencing the moment," she admits. "I was more concerned about how others perceived me than about my own well-being." This realization was a turning point for Lauren. She made the decision to step back from the digital nomad lifestyle and focus on her mental health instead. She sought therapy to address her anxiety and panic attacks, and slowly started to rebuild a routine that provided stability and balance in her life. "I realized that my mental health was more important than any picture or social media following," Lauren says. "I needed to prioritize self-care and find a sense of stability and routine." Today, Lauren is no longer a full-time digital nomad. She still enjoys traveling and working remotely, but she does so in a more mindful and balanced way. She has learned to set boundaries, to prioritize self-care, and to be present in the moment. "I've learned that it's okay to take a break, to say no, and to put my mental health first," she says. "Being a digital nomad should be about freedom and flexibility, not about constantly chasing the next perfect picture." Lauren's experience as a digital nomad highlights the importance of finding balance and prioritizing mental health. While the idea of working remotely and traveling the world may seem glamorous, it is not without its challenges. It is essential to be aware of the potential impact on mental well-being and to take steps to address any issues that may arise. For those considering the digital nomad lifestyle, it is important to approach it with realistic expectations and a focus on self-care. Taking care of mental health should always be a priority, regardless of one's chosen lifestyle.