The term digital nomad has become a buzzword in recent years, but what does it actually mean? At its core, being a digital nomad means having the freedom to work remotely from anywhere in the world, as long as you have the necessary technology and a decent internet connection. This lifestyle is all about blending work and travel, giving people the opportunity to explore new places while still maintaining a productive work routine. It’s about finding flexibility in how you approach your work and where you do it.
For me, Third Place Nomads is a natural evolution of this idea. The name reflects a concept that goes beyond just working remotely—it ties into the theory of the “third place.” If you’re not familiar, the third place is that sweet spot outside of your home (the first place) and your workplace (the second place), where you can feel productive, inspired, and connected. Traditionally, these are places like coffee shops, parks, or libraries, but I started thinking, what if everywhere could be my third place?
As I mentioned in an earlier post, this whole idea grew out of something I called Long Coffee Trips—a series of posts I started writing during and after the pandemic. The initial idea was pretty simple: I needed to get out of the house. And the truth is, I didn't really understand how my noodle noodles back then. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with adult ADHD that things started to click. I had always had this urge to switch up my surroundings, but now I realized it was more than just a habit—it was a way to manage the unique challenges I face with focus and productivity.
Since I've had ADHD all my life, the diagnosis didn’t change much in terms of who I am, but it did help me understand the rules of the game. It gave me a framework for why I sometimes struggle to sit still for long periods unless I’m hyper-focused. Oh, do I remember those long nights of programming! I’d get an idea stuck in my head and I wouldn’t let it go. I wrote a full Content Management System before they were a thing and developed a fully integrated POS system with eBay before that became standard.
I’ve always been a successful remote worker, and I love the flexibility that comes with it. I’m dedicated, connected, and super happy with that. But to get to the next level, I realized I needed to incorporate some aspects of the digital nomad lifestyle into my routine. That's when I started learning about the third place theory. It really resonated with me, even though it wasn’t something I had consciously sought out before.
Then it hit me—what if these places I love to visit became my proverbial third places? I found that every time I set up my laptop in a new spot, I’d get this little dopamine rush. It made me feel more engaged, more creative, and ultimately more productive. So that’s the driving force behind this series. I’m on a mission to document all the places I explore, the tools I use, the challenges I face, and the successes I have as I dive deeper into this lifestyle.
But there’s another layer to it, too. I want to explore my writing style and find a more real, raw, and authentic voice for this project. It’s different from the technical writing I’ve done in the past. This is personal. It’s my journey, and I want to share it in a way that feels true to who I am. So whether you're curious about digital nomadism, want to learn about cool new workspaces, or just want to follow along as I noodle through this new adventure, I hope you’ll stick around.
Stay tuned—there’s a lot more to come from Third Place Nomads.
#DigitalNomad #RemoteWork #NomadLife #WorkFromAnywhere #ThirdPlace