The Simmonds Signal

Weekly insights for writers, creatives, and storytellers to turn writing into a fulfilling, sustainable career (while designing a life just as inspiring as their work)

A confession:

Being a digital nomad is over-glorified and overrated.

But… there’s a secret exception to this rule.

Let me explain.

Over the past two years, I’ve traveled to 12 countries while building my ghostwriting agency and coaching business.

At first glance, it sounds like the dream, right?

I’ve eaten fresh octopus in Spain, watched elephants roam in Africa, and snorkelled in the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas.

But with every Instagram-worthy moment came an unfiltered reality no highlight reel ever shows.

Most people dream of quitting their job, traveling the world, and getting paid to work from beaches and BnBs.

That’s exactly what I did—and, honestly, I regret it…

A quick PSA…

If you’re a writer struggling to make a living and want to break into ghostwriting, then join the waitlist for GrowthGhost 4.0.

A coaching program I’ve partnered on with Dakota Robertson and Marco Ruiz to help writers like you start earning online.

Spots open in early January.

Now, back to the truth about being a digital nomad…

What They Don’t Tell You About the Digital Nomad Dream

In December 2022, I quit my stable job as a college teacher. By January 2023, I was in Colombia with Dakota Robertson, ready to start a new chapter of adventure and freedom.

For two years, I bounced between countries, only returning to Canada for short stretches. On the surface, it looked like I was living the dream.

But behind the curated photos and exotic locations was a constant undercurrent of exhaustion and frustration.

Here’s what my social media feed didn’t show:

• A week of sloppy, half-finished work because jet lag scrambled my brain

• Rescheduling client calls because the internet at my Airbnb crashed mid-meeting

• Being in Paris but barely seeing it because I was chained to my laptop for 15-hour workdays, working on a new offer

Yes, the freedom to travel is intoxicating. But the reality of building a business while living out of a suitcase? Completely over-glorified.

This isn’t to say the digital nomad dream isn’t worth chasing—it’s about knowing the trade-offs so you can chase it wisely.

Because truthfully, there were moments when I envied the people working their 9-to-5s.

What I craved most wasn’t another postcard-perfect sunset or yet another new city.

It was the stability to achieve my goals.

A predictable routine. A reliable internet connection. And the peace of mind to actually focus on my work.

Because here’s the truth: Travel is novelty. But building a sustainable business requires predictability.

That doesn’t mean sacrificing adventure—it means creating a solid foundation so you can truly enjoy it when it comes.

I’m sharing this with you because I’ve learned this the hard way.

These tough lessons taught me what works and what doesn’t, so you don’t have to pay multi-6 figures in stupid tax like I did.

If I Could Go Back in Time

Am I saying don’t travel? Absolutely not.

Travel is beautiful and transformative. It broadens your perspective, pushes you out of your comfort zone, and connects you to people and experiences you’ll never forget.

But if I could rewind to December 2022, to the moment I quit my job, I wouldn’t have packed my bags and booked a flight.

Instead, I would’ve focused on three things:

1. Stacking skills like content writing, persuasion, and brand building until success became undeniable

2. Systemizing my business so I could reclaim my time without sacrificing revenue

3. Aggressively growing my audience to 200,000+ followers with an omnichannel presence

Why? Because travel is so much sweeter when you have the foundation to enjoy it without stress.

I’ve been home for less than a month, and in that short time, I’ve completely reworked my writing systems.

Now, I can:

• Write 2 newsletters, 3 threads, 10 tweets, and 5 LinkedIn posts in under 2 days

• Build out GrowthGhost 4.0 with Dakota Robertson—all while staying focused and on track

• Attend 5 spin classes and 4 yoga classes per week while still finding time for my friends and family (the spin and yin routine)

I’m no longer distracted. I’m locked into a routine. And every piece of my business feels dialled in.

What else could I accomplish now that I have this clarity and stability?

The same goes for you. Whether you’re building a business, growing a creative career, or pursuing personal projects, these steps can help you create a life that feels truly free.

Instead of focusing on the location freedom you don’t have. Be grateful for the stability that you do.

Because once you stack your skills, systemize your work, and grow your audience, the reality of travel changes:

• You can explore the world without stress

• You can take real time off to enjoy new places

• You won’t lose ground to competitors grinding while you’re distracted

Freedom doesn’t come from packing a bag and hopping on a plane. It comes from building a foundation strong enough to support the adventure.

Yes, it might take 3 to 5 dedicated years to create that foundation.

But isn’t that a small price to pay for the kind of freedom that lasts a lifetime?

Because if you skip this step, you risk losing the very freedom you’re chasing in the first place.

Because the smartest path to freedom isn’t the most exciting one—it’s the one that builds a foundation strong enough to weather the adventure.

(Below you’ll find my last travel picture before I returned home—a pic of Jonathan Goodman and I, hiking through a Mexican Jungle before talking about books and business at a private beach).

-Taylin John Simmonds

P.S.

It’s worth repeating that I’m extremely grateful for the travel experiences I’ve had—the lessons they taught me, the incredible people I met, and the memories I made.

This newsletter isn’t about dunking on travel. It’s about shining a light on the reality behind a dream so many people chase.

For me, I’ve realized I’m far happier living a simple, routine life that allows me to focus on the novelty of ideas rather than the novelty of environment.

Travel gave me that clarity, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.

If chasing new countries fills your soul, embrace it. But if it doesn’t, don’t let the highlight reels fool you or travel opportunities distract you—there’s no shame in finding freedom in stability.

P.P.S.

And again…

If you’re a writer struggling to make a living and want the freedom to try the digital nomad life for yourself, then join the waitlist for GrowthGhost 4.0.

Dakota Robertson, Marco Ruiz, and myself will share the exact playbook we used to grow our ghostwriting agencies while on the road.

No fluff. Just what worked for us while building our agencies to multi-6 figures.

Spots open in early January.