Working and Traveling: The Reality
I flew to Argentina and sat in front of my laptop 5+ hours a day.
But it was worth it, I swear.
Working while traveling may be my favourite way to see new places. Obviously, I love a work-free vacation. But there’s something magic about getting into a “normal” rhythm while in a not-so-normal environment. It’s also what makes it financially viable for me to go away for longer stretches. I’m so freaking grateful my work allows me to do that.
That said, working while traveling is also super glamourized.
If anyone says they’re working an hour a day, poolside, in a new country every week…I call bullllll.
So, I wanted to give you a peek into my experience.
I’m no “seasoned digital nomad” by any means. But the working trips I've done so far have taught me a little something. Hopefully it helps if you find yourself jet-setting, laptop in hand.
Here are 9 insights for working while traveling.
1. Expect and embrace FOMO
On this soul-searching adventure of yours, you may experience some lovely new categories of FOMO.
Business FOMO: Am I missing out on work opportunities because I’m too busy exploring?
Travel FOMO: Am I missing out on seeing more sites and meeting more people because I’m too busy working?
Home FOMO: Am I missing out on amazing things back home? Are people going to FORGET I EXIST?
But, as one digital nomad I met put it:
“Eventually, you learn to take pleasure in the fact you can’t do it all.”
If that isn’t a golden life lesson, I don’t know what is.
The reality is you won’t be able to do everything you’d do if you were on vacation. Likewise, you likely won’t do all the work stuff as if you were back home.Roll with it.
Put down the guidebooks. Tune out the social feeds.
You will miss out on certain things. But you’ll gain much more by embracing your own one-of-a-kind experience.
FOMO and all.
2. Expect compounded stress
There are always hiccups when you travel.
Cut to me, first couple hours in Buenos Aires, stuck in an elevator, frantically texting my AirBnb host to save me. (Turns out I just didn't know how to open the door.)
So when you add the everyday ups and downs of work, that stress magnifies.
A simple bump like the WiFi cutting out can throw me for a loop. Expect a few moments like that— and see the next two tips for minimizing them.
When shit still hits the fan....consider it a character-building experience!
You're welcome?
3. Stay put more than you think you “should”
As far as I'm concerned, a slow travel pace is the way to go, even when you're not working. Consider making yourself at home. Minimize transit days and embrace the process of getting to know fewer places on a deeper level.
Try basing yourself in one place for at least two weeks at a time—longer, if you can. If your whole trip is two weeks or less, congrats! Your itinerary just got super simple.
e.g. I was in Buenos Aires for a month (with 2 weekends away) and it still didn’t feel like enough.
4. Create a routine
I’m all about embracing some of the patterns of home while traveling and working. It keeps me in the zone, mentally calm, and physically chipper.
Most days, I got up around the same time. Did some exercise. Had a healthy breakfast. Worked, took a lunch break, and went for a glorious walk. Worked a little more. Went exploring.
EXCITING, RIGHT?
But I loved it.
5. Then, BREAK the routine
One of travel’s greatest pleasures is destroying the ordinary.
So I also suggest throwing that routine out the window once in a while.
If you get invited on an adventure Wednesday afternoon, you stay out way past your bedtime, or “lunch” stretches into happy hour...Dontcha dare look back.
It might mean you have to work later hours the odd day or extend an internal deadline. Be responsible, of course. But as long as you don’t screw anything up for your clients and colleagues, it’s usually worth it.
6. Get a portable monitor
Shoutout to Theresa from Little Flame Creative who inspired me to buy a portable monitor after she posted about hers on Instagram.
Game. Changer.
If you’re used to working on two screens at home, you’ll appreciate it while you’re away.
I got this one and it’s great. Sometimes it didn’t turn on right away though…Not sure why. But once it got itself together, it was lovely.
7. Meet other working travelers
No one “gets it” like a fellow digital nomad/working traveler. When you meet a few good people, they can quickly become a mini-support network.
In my experience, it’s easier to meet new people when traveling than at home. Join a couple Facebook, WhatsApp, or Slack groups. Throw out an intro. Message some random folks who seem nice and ask to meet up for lunch. Show up to an event or a coworking space.
Chances are, it’ll happen naturally. And that's coming from a pretty introverted person.
You never know what connections you'll make that turn into lifelong friends. Even if you only see those people once for the rest of your life, those interactions stick with ya.
8. Meet locals
That majestic place you’re visiting is nothing without the locals. They're its heart and soul.
It can be tricky to meet them though, especially if you don't speak the language. (Bonus tip: learn as much of the language as you can before you go.)
But it’s always worth the effort.
It could simply be your Airbnb host or a tour guide on an intimate tour. Locals who show up to networking events. Language exchanges. Random people who help you out on the street.
You can have a pretty solid conversation with Google Translate. So do whatever you can to learn at least a little bit of their story.
9. Remember why you're there
I think we all go into trips with some sort of goal or purpose in mind. Even if it’s simply to have a good time.
Keep that purpose close when you feel off-kilter.
There were moments I worried my business was going to fall behind or become irrelevant. #dramatic
But I wasn't in Argentina to have my most lucrative month ever or to market my face off.
I was there to:
Slow down
Meet like-minded people
Experience a different culture
Practice my limited Spanish
Put myself out of my comfort zone
Bond with my mom. Yup, she joined and it was WILD (in a good way).
In reality, business just became a smaller part of my day. I was less hyper-obsessed with it. I was still doing good work, in regular contact with clients, and networking.
But I was better at unplugging. For the most part, anyway.
These are goals I’ll keep pursuing abroad and at home.