When people think of digital nomads, many picture young professionals laying out in hammocks, working from their laptops between two palm trees, with sand falling from the cracks of their toes and landing on their open-toed sandals.

Some envision the various locations DNs travel to, whether it be the Greek islands, mountains of Venezuela or, really, whatever destinations come to mind. But for a lifestyle so heavily entrenched in the exploration of different cultures, digital nomad circles are still fairly narrow in their reach, particularly among people of color.

With the increase of digital nomads and the expansion of the lifestyle’s popularity, there’s been an overwhelming push for corporate companies and local startups to build virtual offices and hire more remote workers.

The move counters the daily costs of running a well-oiled professional base, while accommodating to a generation of millennials savvy enough to work from their creative and professional spaces of comfort. However, the myths linked to the lifestyle have set a dark cloud over seasoned and newly established DNs. 

Being a digital nomad is more than just a LinkedIn headline, hashtag or slightly enlarged resume title.

For many DNs, it’s a dream-filled lifestyle, one that’s brought about some of their most memorable experiences. Some have spent months, even years, preparing to become a digital nomad. And through their moments of success and failure, few regret embarking on a life of location independence.

To be a digital nomad requires work, like a lot.

Often, people are blinded by the idea of nomadism. The allure of crystal white-sand beaches and images of people working shortened hours poolside before heading on a day’s expedition is what draws in traditional nine-to-fivers. These people want to obtain a similar lifestyle.