I remember sitting on a balcony in Bali. The sunset was painting the sky in impossible shades of purple and orange. Below me, the ocean whispered against the shore. I had a fresh coconut in my hand, my laptop was closed for the day, and I was living the dream everyone back home was jealous of.
And I was crying. Uncontrollably.
This is the side of the digital nomad lifestyle that doesn’t make it to Instagram. We sell the dream of “freedom” and “paradise,” but we rarely talk about the baggage we bring with us. The truth is simple and brutal: Depression doesn’t need a visa. It travels with you, arguably with more ease than you do, slipping through customs without a stamp.
The “Paradise Paradox”
There is a unique kind of guilt that comes with being sad in a beautiful place. You tell yourself, “I’m in Thailand! I’m in Italy! How dare I be miserable?”
This is the Paradise Paradox. We expect our external environment to fix our internal state. We think that if we just change the scenery, we’ll change ourselves. But as the old Stoic saying goes, “Everywhere you go, there you are.”
When you strip away the routine, the familiar friends, the comfort foods, and the distractions of your old life, you are left with… just you. And if “you” were struggling before, those struggles are now amplified by isolation and lack of support.
The Signs of “Travel Burnout” (Or Is It More?)
It’s easy to confuse depression with travel burnout. They look similar:
- Lack of energy to explore.
- Irritability with locals or other travelers.
- Spending days inside watching Netflix instead of seeing the world.
But if that feeling persists—if the thought of meeting another new person exhausts you, if the “freedom” feels more like aimlessness—it might be time to stop running.
How to Cope When the Black Dog Follows You
1. Stop Moving
This is the most important advice I can give. When your mental health takes a dip, stay put. Book an apartment for a month. Unpack your bag. Buy a plant. Create a routine that has nothing to do with sightseeing. Stability is the enemy of anxiety.
2. Find a “Third Place”
You have your accommodation (first place) and your workspace (second place). Find a third place—a gym, a specific coffee shop, a yoga studio—where you go every day. Become a “regular.” Having a barista know your order can be a surprisingly powerful anchor when you feel like a ghost passing through.
3. Digital Therapy is a Lifesaver
In 2025, access to therapy is better than ever. Platforms like BetterHelp or finding a remote-friendly therapist back home means you don’t have to navigate a foreign healthcare system alone. Schedule it. Show up.
4. Be Honest About It
The most isolating part of nomad depression is the silence. Break it. Tell a friend, “Hey, this place is beautiful, but I’m having a really hard time.” You will be shocked at how many people reply, “Me too.”
You Are Not Ungrateful
Feeling sad while traveling doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful for the opportunity. It just means you’re human. The world is vast and beautiful, but it cannot do the work of healing for you. Only you can do that—whether you’re in a cubicle in Ohio or a hammock in Costa Rica.
So, be kind to yourself. The view can wait.
