I Got Laid Off. Now I Live the Digital Nomad Lifestyle in Mexico City
Six months ago, I sat in a Zoom call watching my manager's mouth move but not really hearing the words. "Restructuring." "Unfortunately." "Your last day."
I'd been laid off.
That night, I panic-applied to 20 jobs. The next morning, staring at my severance package breakdown, a different thought hit me: What if I don't get another job? What if I try the digital nomad lifestyle instead?
Today, I'm writing this from a café in Roma Norte, Mexico City. I'm my own boss, living the digital nomad lifestyle I never thought possible.
Here's how I went from corporate employee to location-independent freelancer—and why this lifestyle changed everything.
Why I Chose the Digital Nomad Lifestyle Over Another Job
The corporate burnout was real. I'd been working 50-hour weeks for a company that laid me off over Zoom without hesitation.
My severance package gave me three months of runway. Most people would use that to job hunt aggressively. I had a different thought: What if I used these three months to test the digital nomad lifestyle?
The math helped. The digital nomad lifestyle meant moving somewhere affordable where my severance stretched further. Mexico City kept coming up in remote work forums: low cost, great infrastructure, massive digital nomad community.
I'd been doing graphic design for my company. Why couldn't I do it for myself while traveling?
Worst case? I'd look for a job in three months. Best case? I'd never need another job application again.
For more on evaluating if the digital nomad lifestyle makes sense for you, read our 7 questions every digital nomad should ask.
The First 90 Days of Digital Nomad Lifestyle: Honest Reality
Month 1: Adjusting to the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
I landed in Mexico City with my severance, a suitcase, and anxiety spiraling.
The digital nomad lifestyle sounded romantic online. The reality? Every coffee I bought felt irresponsible. Should I be spending $3 on coffee when I'm unemployed? I refresh-checked my bank account daily.
I grinded on Upwork and Fiverr. Applied to 40+ projects. Got rejected or ghosted on 35. My first gig paid $200 for 15 hours of work. I made $13/hour. My old salary was $75K/year.
What am I doing?
Month 2: Building the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
I joined WeWork in Roma Norte. Expensive ($250/month) but worth it for the digital nomad lifestyle community. Within two weeks, I met three other freelancers living the same lifestyle. One referred me to a client who paid $1,500.
I stopped treating Upwork like my only option. I posted in "Digital Nomads Mexico City" Facebook group: "Freelance designer available for branding work." Got two inquiries from people also living the digital nomad lifestyle.
I hit $2,000 revenue that month. Not sustainable yet, but proof the digital nomad lifestyle could work.
Month 3: The Digital Nomad Lifestyle Clicks
Two of my clients from Month 2 wanted ongoing work. Recurring revenue changed everything. Suddenly I wasn't hunting for the next gig every week—I had $3,500/month in predictable income.
I still wasn't making my old salary, but my digital nomad lifestyle cost of living in Mexico City was half what it was in the U.S. I was saving money while working less and living better.
That's when I realized: I'm never going back to corporate.
Why Mexico City Perfected My Digital Nomad Lifestyle
I could've tried the digital nomad lifestyle from San Francisco. I would've failed in two months.
Mexico City gave my digital nomad lifestyle:
Low cost, high quality: My $900 Roma Sur apartment would've been $2,500 in SF. Meals cost $5-8, not $15-20. The digital nomad lifestyle is only sustainable when costs are manageable. My severance stretched 2-3x further here.
Timezone advantage: CST meant I could maintain the digital nomad lifestyle while working with U.S. clients without 3am calls. When a New York client needed a Zoom meeting, it was 11am my time.
Built-in digital nomad community: The coworking spaces weren't just WiFi and desks. They were where I met other people living the digital nomad lifestyle who referred clients, shared advice, and normalized the uncertainty.
No visa stress: 180-day tourist visa meant I could test the digital nomad lifestyle for six months without paperwork.
For cost breakdowns of the digital nomad lifestyle in Mexico City, see our complete affordability guide.
What I Wish I Knew About the Digital Nomad Lifestyle (170 words)
Financial Reality of Digital Nomad Lifestyle
What I did wrong: I started the digital nomad lifestyle with only three months of savings. The stress was brutal.
What you should do: Have 6-9 months saved before committing to the digital nomad lifestyle. Freelance income is unpredictable. Some months I made $5K, others $2K.
Use severance strategically: I spent mine on living expenses. Smarter move: land your first few clients before fully committing to the digital nomad lifestyle.
Mindset Shifts for Digital Nomad Lifestyle
Loneliness hits: The digital nomad lifestyle sounds social, but working alone is isolating. Coworking spaces saved me—both for infrastructure and community.
Imposter syndrome is real: Charging $100/hour felt insane. But clients pay for results.
Revenue fluctuates: Budget conservatively when living the digital nomad lifestyle.
Practical Mistakes
Niche down fast: I wasted Month 1 applying to everything. Month 2, I focused only on branding work and won more projects.
Charge more: My first client paid $200. My fifth paid $2,000 for similar work.
My Digital Nomad Lifestyle vs. Corporate Life (110 words)
What the digital nomad lifestyle gave me:
- Freedom to work from cafés, my apartment, or Oaxaca for a week
- No commute (I walk to coworking in 10 minutes)
- I choose my clients—if someone's difficult, I don't renew
- Flexible schedule—morning yoga, work afternoon if I want
What I lost:
- Salary stability and benefits
- "Prestige" of a corporate title
- Structured routine
Was the digital nomad lifestyle worth it?
Absolutely. I make slightly less money but have infinitely more control over my life. The digital nomad lifestyle in Mexico City lets me live well, save money, and work on my terms.
I'd never go back.
For context on why Mexico City worked for my digital nomad lifestyle, read why I chose it over 8 other destinations.
The Gear That Supports My Digital Nomad Lifestyle (80 words)
Living the digital nomad lifestyle means constant mobility. I'm moving between coworking spaces, cafés, friends' places, and occasional weekend trips to Oaxaca or Guanajuato.
The 8808 EXTEND (20L expandable) became essential for my digital nomad lifestyle: compress it for daily café commutes with just my laptop and essentials, expand it when I'm changing apartments or heading to client meetings across the city with extra gear. Being mobile without going home first = saying yes to spontaneous opportunities.
For complete packing guidance for the digital nomad lifestyle, check our travel gear guide.
Is the Digital Nomad Lifestyle Right for You? (70 words)
Getting laid off forced me into the digital nomad lifestyle. But it's not for everyone.
You need:
- Marketable freelance skills
- 6+ months savings
- High tolerance for uncertainty
- Willingness to hustle
You don't need:
- A perfect plan
- Years of experience
- To quit immediately (test part-time first)
Work through our 7 questions guide to evaluate if the digital nomad lifestyle fits you honestly.
If you're worried about safety living the digital nomad lifestyle as a solo woman, read our safety guide for Mexico City.
Final Thoughts (50 words)
Getting laid off felt like the worst thing that could happen. Six months later, it pushed me into the digital nomad lifestyle I didn't know I needed.
I'm my own boss now. I live the digital nomad lifestyle in Mexico City. I'm happier, less stressed, and building something mine.
Sometimes the worst moments open the best doors.
