Before I picked up my laptop and jumped on a plane to embark on my new journey as a, as they call it, "Digital Nomad," one of my biggest concerns was how I was going to embrace the world as a tourist, while still running my business and making time for work. With my days often being filled up with hours and hours of work tasks at home, the thought of adding sight-seeing and well - fun - to the mix was a little anxiety-inducing to say the least. I knew that wherever I went, the likelihood was that I'd either be too excited to get out there and explore to focus on any work, or when working, I'd feel too much as though I was missing out on all the opportunity that awaited me.
To break it down, the fear of having too much goodness in my life became a hesitating factor into actually taking the leap. So if you are doubting your decision to embark on an exciting adventure such as mine and take your business on the road, here are some tips and tricks that I have learned which I hope you can take into account before deciding if this is the life for you.
1. TRAVEL SLOWLY
I know, there is SO much out there to see, and what feels like so little time. The temptation to pile as many cities, landmarks and countries into the time you've given yourself to work abroad is real and valid, and all of the travel blog itineraries may make it seem as though covering an entire country in 10 days is normal and recommended.
But, remember that the average person only has a few weeks a year to grab those vacation days, and yes, why sit around in one city when there are 15 other towns to see, and your flight for this limited vacation time was expensive enough that you'll likely never return...
Well, here's where you're different: a) You're most likely working independently (If you are reading this article), and don't have any restriction on vacation days, or you've been given the go-ahead to work away from the office. b) You are not only traveling, you're actually living your life, just in a different location. c) Time is on your side - chances are, you aren't in a huge rush to get home (Again, if you are reading this article), or at the very least you have more than 10 days.
What I've found works best is setting aside lengthier visits to places you want to see, rather than hopping around every 2-3 days. Why does this help?
You need a day or more to adjust to your new environment (settle into a routine, find the nearest grocery store, rest from any lengthy time on the road, etc).
You need to account for any delays, disruptions or changes of plan (don't always rely on flight schedules, weather patterns, or functioning internet...)
You need time to actually work.
You won't be able to see all the sights in the frequency that other tourists do, because you are likely putting in some work hours. This ensures that you have time to do all the things, and see all the things you want to see.
You'll get the opportunity to meet other travellers, make new friends, get to know the locals, and even learn new ways of life that many tourists don't get the opportunity to experience.
Some of my best times doing the long-term travel were in one single town, where I ended up spending almost 3 months. I got to work, and I got to play. I made some amazing friends, and challenged my brain learning the language and interacting with the locals on a daily basis. That, and I got to rest and simply enjoy myself without the threat of having to move on in less than 72 hours. At times where I was moving more frequently between locations (a week here, a few days there), I became exhausted, stressed, and the joy of seeing these wonderful places was probably not as high as it could have been - I was simply ticking things off a list, rather than enjoying and experiencing them fully.
2. RECREATE YOUR ROUTINE
By this, I mean to act as though you're at home. Set up your desk as you usually would, do that 15 minutes of yoga once you get out of bed, make your cup of tea, listen to that podcast - whatever it is that you usually do at home, make sure you implement it in your new location. Not only does this free the mind of activity by following some already well-established habits, it will help you to focus on your work and make the adaptation phase of your new location less extreme.
Sure, there will be some challenges - the Airbnb might not have a kettle to boil water for your tea, or you simply can't find your favourite tea brand in the middle of nowhere - but try not let that overwhelm you, and look to find the second best alternative that seems comfortable and easy to adapt to.
Need some motivation to find good habits & routines? Check out this digital planner here which may help you determine some activities that are important to you to implement while you travel.
3. SCHEDULE YOUR DAY AND WEEK, AND INCLUDE ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES
Setting aside hours for work is a lot easier when you have little distraction at home, but it's going to be necessary for you to set some work-life boundaries while traveling and working remotely. And yes, that includes scheduling time for play!
There's nothing like a little encouragement to finish your tasks quickly by knowing that you need to go on a catamaran tour of the island just before sunset, or that the tide will be perfect for catching waves around 13h30. If you're working on a set 9-5 schedule, you can still schedule your tasks and try incorporate some activities over your lunch or tea break. I'd say a walk to the beach to sip on a coconut sounds like a better lunch break idea than staring at the wall of your hotel room eating room service meals, anyway.
4. IDENTIFY TASKS THAT CAN BE DONE ON TRAVEL DAYS
Let's be honest, we all have some tasks that can be done off the laptop, on your cellphone, or even offline. On the days that you plan to be on the road, make sure you've set up an inventory of to-do's that you can tick off your list as you 'waste time' moving from one location to the next. This will make you feel as though you're still being productive, and alleviate any of the guilt you may be feeling by stepping away from the 'office'.
What do I mean? Perhaps it's writing that report you don't have time for, creating invoices for clients, editing photos to post on Instagram, or even pulling together inspiration for your next design project. I can happily scroll through Pinterest for hours on end, gathering colour ideas or branding inspiration - all of which can be done lying back on a bus ride, or waiting in the departure lounge of the airport. No WiFi? That's when I take the time to journal, write blog posts such as this, or simply write notes of ideas I have for my next project and sketch out ideas.
5. USE THE ENVIRONMENT YOU'RE IN
Embracing your surroundings is what it's all about. Why not make the most of it when it comes to doing the daily activities that you need to tick off your list, such as workouts and exercise, by incorporating your new environment into the mix? This way you get the benefit of seeing and experiencing the place, while getting in that half hour of cardio you've committed to each day.
Are you situated in a beach town? Go for a surf lesson to burn some calories while enjoying the ocean.
Near a mountain? Go on a hike to get your sweat on while taking in the glorious views.
Don't have your car with you but need to buy groceries on the other end of town? Rent a bicycle and pump up the speed while gaining a new perspective on the place.
Take this new place as an opportunity to try things you wouldn't otherwise try at home while still keeping up some good habits and exploring.
6. WORK AROUND THE WEATHER PATTERNS
This may come across as odd at first, but I learnt it well during my time in Costa Rica. I first visited in the rainy season, and in the first town I stopped there appeared to be a very predictable weather pattern which I noticed within 2-3 days. Every morning up until about 2pm it was perfectly sunny and simply delightful. From that point around 2pm the rain battered down in full force, religiously. I made a choice: mornings are for activities (hiking, waterfall-hunting, rope-swinging...you name it); afternoons are for work.
Making that choice eased my anxiety because nature was in control. I had absolutely no FOMO in the afternoons, was super productive, and had the benefit of getting all the excitement out of my system early on in the day.
Perhaps you can seek out similar weather-induced schedules wherever you go? Perhaps you find yourself in a place where the midday heat is simply too much to be outdoors in - take the time to find an AC and put in the work hours then. Perhaps the sun sets extremely early in your winter location - do all your fun stuff while the sun's still out and commit to working in the darker evening hours.
7. GO CAFE HOPPING
I love a good cafe! For me, this is how I explore a new city in a way, while still putting in some work hours AND getting my caffeine fix. Finding a beautiful, quaint spot in the heart of the bustle of a new town lets me feel as though I'm not locked away in an office, chained to my desk and missing out on all the life that's out there. 9 times out of 10 you'll find a spot with decent WiFi in this day and age, and many places are frequented by the like-minded digital nomad, so spending hours in a cafe behind a laptop isn't something too unusual these days. You'll also likely witness some daily activities of the locals too, which can always be a delightful distraction in the background.
Another plus side? Test out different drinks and new culinary delights of the culture, all while you tick things off your list. And you're supporting the local economy with the numerous cups of coffee you drink in a day - win-win!
8. BOOK A HOT-DESK
Sometimes having a more formal work environment is most beneficial to establishing a divide between work and play, and this is where Co-working spaces really make the difference.
I have found that there are days when I really just need to be focused on work, and being in a space like this with other nomads working around me has really set the tone for productivity. It's encouraging to know that you're not the only one who needs to work while surrounded by paradise and all of it's distractions, and it also makes for a great opportunity to connect with other travellers for tips on the area, make friends, or even establish beneficial business partnerships.
Throughout my travels, Selina has been the one place where I have enjoyed the benefit of a hot-desk. I highly recommend checking them out - they have destinations all over the world, and they follow a standard that you can expect at each of their locations (strong WiFi, great facilities, and overall well-selected areas), which is very comforting when you're heading into the unknown. They also have a Co-live programme which incorporates the cost of the co-work as well as other benefits like free yoga, restaurant discounts and more.
9. ACTUALLY SCHEDULE TIME OFF
Yes, sometimes you just need to actually block time off to be a fully committed tourist! There are places you will want to see which require you to go offline for a few days at a time (such as a 5 day trek to Macchu Picchu, etc). Make sure you take these opportunities and give yourself a break. Maybe it's just a day, a weekend, or an entire two weeks - only you can know how much time you can give yourself to stay on top of your work.
So, there you have it! Some ideas to alleviate any anxiety you may have as you embark on this journey as a digital nomad. Remember that this is a good thing, and there is ALWAYS a way to make it work. You may have to make some compromises along the way, but that's okay too. Just remember why you're doing this: to experience the world, to have adventure, and to return home feeling renewed, energised, and inspired.
Keen to get some more inspiration for your own adventure? Follow my journey @vertestudio.design to see where I head next, or simply track some of my own routines as I work remotely.
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