Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work remotely and travel the world as a digital nomad? As someone who has been location-independent for over 5 years now, I’m going to give you an inside look into my typical daily routine and how I balance work with frequent travels to amazing destinations.
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Waking Up in Paradise
One of the best parts of being a digital nomad is that I get to wake up every morning in a new and exciting location. Today I’m waking up on the island of Koh Lanta in Thailand. I slept amazingly thanks to the sound of the ocean waves right outside my beachfront bungalow. Waking up relaxed and refreshed is key to having a productive work day when you work remotely.
I take my time getting ready and head out to find a picturesque spot to drink my morning coffee. One thing I love about Thailand is how easy it is to find cheap, authentic food. For breakfast, I order a traditional Thai dish like khao soi curry noodles. Refueled after a healthy meal (costing just a few dollars), I’m ready to start my workday.
My Essential Remote Work Tools
As a digital nomad, wherever my office is, I can connect to WiFi. Since I’m a freelance writer and content creator, all I need is my laptop and a stable internet connection.
Some of my essential remote work tools include:
- Laptop – I use a Macbook Pro but any lightweight laptop works for digital nomads.
- External monitor – Having a second screen helps boost productivity. I carry a compact portable monitor.
- Noise-canceling headphones – These let me focus anywhere, from a bustling cafe to a noisy hostel dorm.
- Portable WiFi hotspot – This allows me to get online anywhere without hunting for cafes. Highly useful when traveling remotely.
- Remote mouse – I use a Logitech MX Master to reduce strain from long hours on my laptop.
- Backup power bank – Crucial for extending battery life and working on the go.
My Typical Remote Work Schedule
Since I run my own business, I enjoy the freedom of setting my own schedule. That said, I still try to maintain consistency and discipline throughout my work week.
- Morning routine – I block off the first 1-2 hours of my day for exercise, breakfast, and getting ready before starting work. A morning routine is key for remote worker productivity.
- Deep work – From about 10 am-12 pm I focus on creative projects and tasks requiring deep concentration like writing articles. I disable notifications and avoid distractions during these focus hours.
- Client meetings/calls – Afternoons are reserved for consultations, interviews, client calls, and meetings. I use tools like Zoom, Calendly, and Slack to coordinate effectively while working remotely.
- Admin tasks – Later in the day I catch up on emails, invoicing, social media, and other small tasks and errands. The flexible schedule allows me to work at my peak energy times.
- Exercise – I often schedule exercise like yoga, running, or hitting the hotel gym mid-day when I start to feel sluggish. Movement is invaluable when you have a desk job.
- Evenings off – Once I hit 5-6 pm I stop work for the day. Maintaining a work-life balance is crucial when you work from “home” every day.
Blending Remote Work with Frequent Travels
One massive perk of location-independent work is the ability to travel frequently while maintaining my regular workload and income.
Here are some tips for combining remote work with travel:
- Book longer stays – I used to hop cities every 3-4 days but found it exhausting. Now I book accommodations for 2-3 weeks to set up a temporary home base.
- Minimize travel time – I plan travel days around my schedule so I’m not working while en route. I also try to take transport overnight so I wake up at my next destination.
- Scope out coworking spaces – Before arriving in a new place, I research coworking spaces or cafes to work from in case my Airbnb lacks good WiFi.
- Have a mobile setup – My portable gear like a laptop, WiFi hotspot, and headphones allow me to work from anywhere – planes, trains, and automobiles!
- Plan mini-breaks – I block off time for sightseeing or adventure between heavy work projects. A little exploration goes a long way for inspiration.
- Pace yourself – I avoid packing my schedule too tightly and leave buffer time between destinations. Burnout is real when constantly on the move.
A Typical Day in Different Destinations
To give you a better idea of what a day in my digital nomad life looks like, here are examples from three popular remote worker destinations:
Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Wake up in my private villa and take a quick swim before breakfast.
- Head to a coworking space and write from 9 am-12 pm uninterrupted.
- Have lunch at one of Chiang Mai’s incredible affordable food markets.
- Video chat with a client about an upcoming project.
- Check tasks off my to-do list while hanging out at a trendy cafe.
- Meet up with fellow digital nomads for dinner and drinks at night.
Mexico City, Mexico
- Grab a morning coffee and pastries at my local panaderia.
- Tour a museum or historic site before it gets crowded.
- Work from a colorful cafe until late afternoon.
- Respond to emails and messages while taking the metro around the city.
- Meet friends in the Roma Norte neighborhood for tacos and mezcal.
- Catch a Lucha Libre wrestling match in the evening.
Lisbon, Portugal
- Start my day with ocean views working from a seaside cafe.
- Soak up the sun in the afternoon while writing blog posts at a park.
- Take a long lunch and sample local Portuguese cuisine.
- In the evening, stroll through Alfama listening to live Fado music.
- Find a rooftop bar to watch the sunset over the city.
No two days are ever the same with this lifestyle but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else! While work is still a priority, having freedom of both location and schedule makes fitting in more world exploration possible. Hopefully, this glimpse into my routine inspires you to make your own remote work dreams a reality.