'I became a digital nomad after losing my home'

A woman who "lost everything" when a fire devastated her home has said it gave her the "freedom" to live the life of her dreams.

A fire broke out inside Nicky Maidment's flat in Clifton, Bristol, on 4 February 2020 caused by an electrical fault. While no one was hurt, all of Ms Maidment's belongings were ruined by the smoke.

But the 65-year-old said that seeing her possessions as "just things" meant she was able to re-evaluate her life and work all around the world as a digital nomad.

"I just thought to myself, well, I've always wanted to travel, I've always wanted to do things and maybe this was a sign, an opportunity, to do that," she said.

Ms Maidment is one of a growing number of digital nomads who swapped a permanent office for a series of locations around the globe.

The term digital nomad generally refers to people who travel freely while working remotely using technology and the internet.

"Obviously, I was sad to move out of my lovely flat in Clifton," said Ms Maidment.

"It was just surreal. I was almost numb. But I was more grateful for the fact that we were all OK."

Ms Maidment was living in the flat with her son and grandson when the fire started.

She managed to retrieve some of her family heirlooms, which were under her bed, and moved into a flat she had been renting out, but which was vacant at the time.

"I spent that time in lockdown evaluating where I was, who I was, and what I wanted to do," said Ms Maidment.

"I found out that what I really wanted to do was to be free to travel.

"I just embraced the freedom that it allowed me to have."

Working as a Neuro-linguistic Programming Practitioner (NLP) - who works with people to help them overcome issues such as PTSD, panic attacks and traumas - Ms Maidment moved her business online.

When it was safe to travel, she decided to go to Malta, where she was born and had visited before.

As a single woman travelling, she felt that she needed to "find her tribe", so she moved to a co-living space in Malta with young people.

It was a pivotal decision for her, as she adapted to a new lifestyle of being a digital nomad.

She has since travelled to Australia, Bali and Thailand.

Currently back in Bristol visiting family, Ms Maidment said traveling has changed her, and that immersing herself in other cultures has made her realise she does not value material possessions as much.

"Your relationships and your connections are more important," she said.

"Once you let go of that, then it frees you up to go and explore and just be who you are."

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