9 Things I’ve Learned Since Working From Anywhere, Anytime
The digital nomad life isn’t what I expected
What the f*ck am I doing?”
Another day, another toilet.
I’d wake up at 3:30 am and get to work before five. My supervisor and I would then locate equipment to get our jobs done.
After leaving that building, we’d move on to the next and repeat the process three or four times a day.
Being a cleaner was the toughest job I’ve ever had.
And some of the building managers were nice. Others, not so much. One boutique agency owner called me back because I missed some dust on a windowsill.
Another woman shouted at me because my mopping technique was “wrong”.
F*ck my life.
I’d spent three years at university learning about economic theory, and here I was, shifting skidmarks in men’s rooms.
Something needed to change.
So I did what I should have done years ago. I binged podcasts and surrounded myself with mentors.
One of my mentors — Louise — introduced me to online courses. I reached out to her, and we made one together.
This course was my first taste of making money online.
Skip a few years and countless mistakes, and I’m a full-time writer. I work with clients remotely and get to work from anywhere, anytime.
I’ve treated the last two months as an experiment. Do I like the digital nomad life? Is it for me?
Here’s what I’ve learned so far.
#1: Travelling Doesn’t Change Much — If Anything
I’m still shy.
I still have the same doubts and insecurities.
I don’t randomly walk up to people at home, so why did I think this would happen when I travelled?
This shyness isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Just an observation.
#2: You Don’t Need Much to Be Happy
All I’m travelling with is the stuff in my North Face backpack.
That’s it.
And I freakin’ love it! My mind feels clutter-free.
#3: Living Still Costs Money
After paying for flights, travel insurance, Airbnbs, etc, living abroad won’t be much cheaper than living in the UK — at least not in Budapest.
And that’s okay.
It might be different in other countries.
#4: I Need a *Chef’s Kiss* Balance
I love waking up and doing client work. I also love exploring and FaceTiming friends.
I’ve struck a *chef’s kiss* balance.
But it didn’t come straight away. The first two weeks were a sh*tshow.
As dumb as it sounds, one of the reasons I wanted to freelance was so I could wake up when I wanted. So I proudly told my friends I didn’t have an alarm.
Now, I’ve reverted to being woken by my phone.
Oversleeping makes me feel like sh*t.
My morning routine has also helped. I wake up, work out, stretch, meditate, eat, shower, get changed, clean my teeth, walk outside, and start writing.
I also don’t check messages and emails before 1 pm.
Being proactive > being reactive
Game-changing.
#5: The Smallest Things Can Trigger Doubt
Earlier this week, I walked up Gellert Hill, and the views took my breath away:
On the way down, I saw couples holding hands, savouring the scenes.
And that triggered my doubt.
What the hell am I doing?
I miss my family and friends. I enjoy living back home. The routines. The people I spend time with. What have I been running away from?
When this happens, I remind myself of my why.
I’m building my business so I can hit my goals.
“Macro patience, micro speed.” — Gary Vee
#6: You Confront Scary Questions
You ignore deep, scary questions when you’re distracted by people. Not so when you’re alone by yourself.
If money and society weren’t factors, what would you do?
What do you actually want?
#7: Scratch The Itch
If you’re considering the digital nomad life, give it a go. Jump on a plane.
If you decide it’s not for you, the 9–5 isn’t going anywhere.
There will be other jobs.
#8: And if you have zero intention of travelling, that’s also okay
Despite what social media tells you, you don’t need to travel the world to live a fulfilling life.
Adventure can help you feel alive.
But so can routines and relationships.
#9: Choose Boring
I used to think people who didn’t travel were boring.
Now, I realise boring is where the gold is.
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our life.” — Annie Dillard, American author
I love Budapest, and it’s fun building my business. I also like having this beautiful apartment all to myself.
But is the digital nomad life for me?
The jury’s out. I miss my family and friends, and I realise now that travelling won’t change me. Not really. I’m still the shy, introverted guy I was when I was living in England.
It’ll take more than a new environment to turn me into a party animal.
Still, I’m grateful for this experience, and I think more people should try it. So give it a go if you’ve got a flickering sense that travelling could be for you.
You’ve got nothing to lose and potentially a whole lot to gain.
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