What’s Holding You Back — When the World Says Go?

The idea is seductive. You, somewhere warm, laptop open, cappuccino within reach, emails flowing from a sunny coworking space near the sea. You finish your meeting, grab your sandals, and head for the beach. You’ve just become what millions dream of but never dare to do: a digital nomad.

So, why aren’t more people doing it?

In an era where remote work is more accepted than ever, and countries are competing to attract location-independent professionals, one might expect a global wave of nomadic professionals. And yet, the vast majority remain right where they are. Not because they can’t leave — but because something deeper holds them back.

According to entrepreneur and long-term digital nomad Jodie Cook, who has lived and worked from over 35 cities across a decade, the reason most people don’t live this way isn’t money or logistics. It’s something far more invisible: the chains we’ve wrapped around ourselves — made of fear, assumptions, and a lack of clarity.

People tell her they want the lifestyle. They know they could make it work. They’ve seen others do it. But still, they don’t take the leap.

The fear that wears a tie

Many of us are trapped in something we think is normal — the full-time job, the morning commute, the monthly bills, the endless meetings. And yes, these things might be necessary, but sometimes they become excuses. We say we can’t leave because of our job. But ask yourself: is your job the reason — or just the shield?

Cook argues that our jobs often cost more than they give. Not just in money, but in lost potential. The safety of a salary keeps us from ever asking what we really want.

Somewhere in that stable office is a quiet voice saying: You could be somewhere else. You could be living differently.

But few stop to listen.

Defining freedom, not just craving it

It starts with clarity. Most people want “freedom” without defining what it looks like. Is it waking up without an alarm? Working from a balcony in Portugal? Having time to write a book or hike in the afternoon?

You won’t get what you can’t name. Cook suggests beginning with this inner work — not travel planning. Once you see what freedom looks like for you, you can start building toward it. She even recommends using tools like ChatGPT to help ask the hard questions: What does your ideal day look like? What are your non-negotiables? Where do you feel most alive?

Once those answers begin to form, the vision becomes a compass. It doesn’t matter if it feels far away — at least you know what direction to walk.

Money: the myth that keeps you anchored

The biggest lie we tell ourselves is that we can’t afford it. But most people never bother doing the math.

Your current expenses are built around a fixed location: rent, commuting, subscriptions, social commitments. When you live nomadically, those costs change. Rent may be half. Your commute disappears. That expensive gym is replaced by daily yoga on the beach or affordable coworking access.

Cook urges people to sit down and run the numbers. What are you spending now? What would you spend in a city like Lisbon or Medellín? The answer often surprises — and liberates. A life abroad isn’t just possible; it might be cheaper than the one you’re clinging to.

Your skills already have value — just not in the form you expect

Another trap: believing your career can’t travel.

But every professional skill — project management, writing, consulting, design, even spreadsheets — has value somewhere else. The trick is recognizing it. Cook encourages readers to revisit their résumé, strip out the corporate fluff, and repackage their expertise for the remote-first world.

Don’t wait for permission to use what you know in new ways. The global digital economy is hungry for problem-solvers — and you don’t need a new degree to join. You just need to frame what you already know differently.

And if you don’t know where to start? AI can help with that too. Use ChatGPT as your transition coach. Let it ask you what you’re great at, what you’ve accomplished, and what kind of people need your skills. Then, build from there.

The job search is digital — and decentralized

People say they can’t find remote jobs. But they’re looking in the wrong places.

Remote-first companies aren’t always posting on LinkedIn. They’re hiring through niche platforms like Remote OK, JobRack, and Dynamite Jobs — spaces built for the distributed workforce.

Whether you want to work for a company or build your own client base, there’s a process. Identify your dream role or customer. Polish your online profiles. Set daily outreach goals. Don’t sit back and hope — act deliberately.

In the remote world, the proactive win.

Planning the journey — without overwhelm

You don’t need to figure out the whole world on day one. Begin where others have succeeded.

Digital nomad hubs like Bansko, Chiang Mai, Bali, and Mexico City have become what they are for a reason. Fast internet. Affordable housing. Communities. You won’t be the first — and that’s a good thing.

Cook suggests starting with just a few questions: What climates do you enjoy? What time zones work for your job? What cultures fascinate you? Then, narrow your first destination to one that aligns.

You can always change locations later. But the first leap becomes easier when you know others are waiting on the other side.

What if you fail?

Then you go back. And that’s fine.

You get another job. You return to what you know. But now, you carry something more valuable than anything you left behind: experience, courage, and the knowledge that you tried.

That’s why Cook says: Stop making your plan B your plan A. You can always return. What you can’t do is relive the years you spent doubting yourself.

So what’s really holding you back?

It’s not your job. Not your bank account. Not your family. It’s the story you’re telling yourself.

You don’t need to become someone else to live this way. You just need to believe that the life you want is valid — and that you’re capable of building it.

Maybe the world didn’t assign you to your current city. Maybe you simply never left.

And now that you’ve seen the gate is open — what are you waiting for?

Countries Offering Digital Nomad Visas in 2025

🇪🇺 Europe

• Spain – Offers a digital nomad visa initially valid for one year, renewable.

• Portugal – Provides a D8 visa for digital nomads, with two options: a one-year temporary stay or a long-term residency visa.

• Italy – Introduced a digital nomad visa in 2024, available to highly qualified individuals with at least six months of remote work experience.

• Croatia – Offers a digital nomad visa valid for up to one year.

• Estonia – Has a digital nomad visa allowing remote work for up to one year.

• Greece – Offers a digital nomad visa with favorable tax conditions.

• Malta – Provides a Nomad Residence Permit for remote workers.

• Hungary – Offers the “White Card” digital nomad visa.

• Germany – Provides a freelancer and self-employment residence permit suitable for nomads.

• Norway – Has a visa program for digital nomads.

• Romania – Offers a digital nomad visa.

• Cyprus – Has a digital nomad visa initially valid for one year.

• Georgia – Allows remote workers to stay for extended periods under a special program.

• Iceland – Offers a visa for high-income remote workers.

• Latvia – Has a digital nomad visa program.

• North Macedonia – Offers a remote worker visa.

🌴 Caribbean & The Americas

• Barbados – Offers the “Welcome Stamp” digital nomad visa.

• Bahamas – Has a remote worker visa program.

• Bermuda – Offers a visa for digital nomads.

• Anguilla – Has a visa program for remote workers.

• Antigua and Barbuda – Offers a digital nomad visa.

• Curaçao – Provides a visa for remote workers.

• Dominica – Offers a digital nomad visa.

• Saint Lucia – Has a remote worker visa program.

• Montserrat – Offers a digital nomad visa.

• Costa Rica – Provides a one-year digital nomad visa.

• Panama – Has a “Short Stay Visa” for remote workers.

• Mexico – Offers a temporary residence visa suitable for digital nomads.

• Brazil – Has a digital nomad visa program.

• Ecuador – Offers a remote work visa valid for two years.

• Colombia – Provides a visa for digital nomads.

• Argentina – Offers a digital nomad visa.

• Uruguay – Has a digital nomad visa program.

• Belize – Offers a visa for remote workers.

🌏 Asia & Pacific

• Thailand – Offers a digital nomad visa valid for up to five years.

• Japan – Has a visa program for remote workers.

• South Korea – Launched a digital nomad visa pilot program in January 2024.

• Taiwan – Introduced a 180-day digital nomad visa in January 2025.

• Malaysia – Offers a digital nomad visa program.

• Philippines – Launching a digital nomad visa that allows stays of up to one year, with possible extensions.

🌍 Africa & Middle East

• United Arab Emirates (Dubai) – Offers a one-year digital nomad visa.

• Seychelles – Has a visa program for remote workers.

• Mauritius – Provides a digital nomad visa.

• Namibia – Offers a remote worker visa.

• South Africa – Updated its visa laws in 2022 to allow digital nomads to stay longer than 90 days.

• Cape Verde – Has a digital nomad visa program.

Note: Always check each country’s official immigration website or consult a visa expert for up-to-date details on application requirements, fees, and processing times.

Bulgaria offers a viable pathway for digital nomads through its Type D visa, which, while not explicitly labeled as a "digital nomad visa," accommodates remote workers and freelancers seeking to reside in the country. 

Key Features of Bulgaria's Type D Visa for Digital Nomads:

• Eligibility: Open to non-EU citizens who are self-employed, freelancers, or remote workers employed by foreign companies. 

• Duration: Initially granted for up to 12 months, with the possibility of renewal.

• Income Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate a stable income, typically at least twice the Bulgarian minimum wage, to ensure financial self-sufficiency during their stay. 

• Health Insurance: Proof of international health insurance covering the entire duration of the stay is mandatory.

• Application Process: Applications are submitted through Bulgarian embassies or consulates in the applicant's country of residence. The process involves providing necessary documentation, including proof of income, health insurance, and accommodation in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria's appeal to digital nomads is further enhanced by its affordable cost of living, reliable internet infrastructure, and vibrant communities in cities like Sofia, Plovdiv, and Bansko. Notably, Bansko has emerged as a popular hub for digital nomads, hosting events like the Bansko Nomad Fest, which fosters networking and collaboration among remote workers.

Summary:

While Bulgaria does not have a dedicated "digital nomad visa," the Type D visa serves as a practical alternative for remote professionals seeking to live and work in the country. Its combination of favorable visa conditions and a supportive environment makes Bulgaria an attractive destination for digital nomads in 2025.