As I sit here in my office reflecting on the last few months, I can’t help but smile. There’s sunlight pouring through my window, and I’ve got a delicious, warm cup of coffee in my hand. Bentley is right outside, napping on my balcony and I can hear Tyler starting to stir.
Life. Is. Good.
Launching a remote business and working for myself has simultaneously been the hardest and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. But you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yes, I have to actively seek out clients – Shit’s hard. Yes, I run the risk of us parting ways at any given time. And yes, it definitely requires a certain level of discipline on my part. But when it all comes down to it, life and work aren’t a balancing act for me anymore…
Mission accomplished.
Without further ado, here are the top 5 perks of being a digital nomad and reasons that I love this very hectic but absolutely wonderful life of mine:
1. Every Day Feels Like Friday.
Friday used to be the highlight of each and every week for me – I couldn’t wait for it to arrive, knowing that it meant time away from my desk, sleeping in a little, and relaxing a lot. Sometimes, Tyler and I would even manage to squeeze trips in. I can say, from experience, that jam-packed itineraries over the course of 2 or 3 days are the exact opposite of a vacation. These days, Sunday nights aren’t sad, Monday mornings aren’t painful, and Fridays seem to have lost their appeal. We can take our time on vacations, and if I need a little bit of extra sleep, I can grant myself that too.
2. Business Meetings in your Pajamas.
I don’t care what anyone says – If you work from home, pajamas are work appropriate. Just this past week, I had a Skype consultation with a new client and yup, you guessed it – I was business up top, yoga pants on the bottom. That, my friends, is a beautiful thing.
3. No More Daily Commute.
Last year, I drove a solid 40 minutes to and from my work office each day. At the time that I resigned, I was 1,000 miles over my car lease agreement. Now? I’m 1,500 under. Guess who won’t be paying overages, constantly filling up her gas tank, or spending precious time braving traffic 5 days a week? THIS GIRL. Instead, I’ll be sitting here, being met with looks like these while competing for chair space with my Chief Furry Officer.
4. I Work On MY Terms.
I take on tasks and projects that I enjoy doing, and collaborate with businesses whose missions I care about/align with. I have the option to turn away prospective clients who don’t feel like a good fit (and lord knows I have). Trust me people; When you know, you know. I can take breaks, run errands, go to appointments and bring Tyler to & from the airport when I need to. I can blast Atmosphere as loud as I want, whenever I want.
5. The World is My Office.
Last week, I was writing an editorial piece for a jewelry company in LA from a coffee shop in Scottsdale. This week, I’m home creating an email marketing campaign for a client in the UK. Next week, one of my girlfriends (Hi Bex!) is getting married, so I’ll be working from my laptop in Florida . And after that, Vegas, Denver, and Calgary are in the books. In bed? Poolside? From the other side of the world? You name, it and I can work from there. And MAN, does it feel good.
Stacey says
I’ve been blogging for about two months, and you are living my dream! I know I’ll get there. I am just now preparing my media kit and getting ready to pitch some places on Monday. I am a high school teacher, so I can kind of live the dream in the summer 🙂 I am hoping I can do this full time in about five years. In the meantime, I will explore and write when I can. I am so glad you are living the life you want!
navigableworld says
Thank you for your kind words, Stacey! Best of luck with your media kit & pitching! 🙂