When Travelling Turns into Remote Work

How do you work remotely and still enjoy travel?

Background

I grew up dreaming of being able to explore the world. I sat there unemployed for 18 months hoping for better days and that an opportunity would lead to a new job.

I began travelling solo whilst maintaining a full-time job and then a new job and then there’s a redundancy in there somewhere too. After working 10 months at a non-profit I decided the girl who thought she would be buying a property would leave everything behind and embark on a five-month adventure. (Technically i’m still on one).

Remote Work

It’s an attractive term and proposition ‘remote work’. You see the whole laptop lifestyle, the popular images with a beach and laptop portraying a perfect world. I’ve attempted a few ‘perfect’ grammable posts, but more recently share the not so glam life. When I returned back to the UK in 2017 I began working for myself producing strategies and delivering workshops. As my next stop on the bucket list was South America I decided to continue working remotely. It was all new for me I would be trekking the Inca-Trail but still corresponding with clients. So how does it all work then, and would I ruin the joys of travelling?

Travelling

When I travelled carefree and away from the world of work, I continued to blog so I wouldn’t forget the memories and those challenging days. This did not feel like work at all but gave me someplace to gather all my thoughts and experiences.

Now back to remote work, I tried to schedule in my work and select days when I would be working. There were days when I was in the outdoor space that allowed me to fully embrace where I was. It can be challenging to completely “switch off”. I made my clients aware that I would have a limited amount of internet access on certain days and made sure I had enough time to complete the workload. So when hiking the Inca-Trail I was fully embraced rather than trying to worry about a client’s request.

Combining Both Passions

When you combine the two I have found rest days are just as important to make travel, travel again. I began backpacking with a GoPro Hero, a refurbished camera and a smartphone that ended with a cracked screen, that all changed. When working remotely there is a lot more gear involved. I have multiple cables, power banks, multiple cameras and then there’s carrying it all. I have to now allow extra time to charge everything, make sure I take time out to be device-free (which can be challenging).

Sacrifices

I also don’t chase luxury travel, there are going to be people who want a 5* hotel (great if you can) and others who would rather meet people at a hostel. There’s no right or wrong way but when you are working remotely a quiet space and a fast internet connection become a priority. I have learned so many lessons and had the privilege of learning from locals too.

I often leave a part of me in the places I visit, strangers turn into family and then hope those final goodbyes won’t actually be final. That’s what travel means, and combining that with my work makes me complete.

Through all the challenges, I wouldn’t change it.