“Modern technology has made it possible for leisure, within limits, to be not the prerogative of small privileged classes, but a right evenly distributed throughout the community. The morality of work is the morality of slaves, and the modern world has no need of slavery” Bertrand Russell, In Praise of Idleness, 1932
Once the virtual representation replaces the physical presence the whole concept of four walls and a desk becomes quite obsolete. Becoming location independent allows you to work from home, a coffee shop or even the beach.
You no longer need to be rich or quit your day job to travel full time, if you’re lucky enough your job permits that, just take work with you and go off to see the world.
My life thus far was pretty “normal”. I did everything “right” and my life wasn’t that bad, actually? It was even kind of great most of the time. It’s the life everyone told me I should have.
But there was this voice at the back of my mind that told me that there is something different, something more out there. That maybe I ought to rethink my preconceived notions of the whole 9 to 5 + 2 weeks’ vacation a year concept.
So I packed up my laptop and join WYCO in Brazil for a month of a travel-while work experience.
WYCO is a community of remote professionals, working and traveling the world – city by city, month by month.
As mentioned in their blog: “Work does not require the same four walls every day — in fact, it probably shouldn’t. And travel doesn’t have to mean sacrificing professional security. Rather the two elements have the ability to enhance each other… “
First of all, and the most important you get to travel the world. You get to see new places and experience new things and you get to do that with 20 other like-minded individuals.
And you get to do it while still keeping your job.
Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination | Roy M. Goodman
You get to live your best life, doing things you once only dreamed of and crossing off things from your bucket list one by one.
Being a “digital nomad” means changing your mindset from “tourist on vacation” to “globally local”. A unique and interesting experience. Calling a different place “home” every month. Visiting all the parts of a place you wouldn’t normally go to (more on this in a different post) while maintaining a “life”- doing laundry, grocery shopping, working out, going out, figuring things out all while working AND trying to explore as much as possible.
Meeting amazing people that totally “get you” because they also heard that same voice. Making meaningful connections and travel-friends for life.
It also means stepping outside of your comfort zone. Giving up the “familiar” to explore the unknown. Living out of a suitcase without having ALL of your clothes. It’s letting go of what you’re used to – whether it’s your life’s routine, your favorite food you can’t find in the store, your comfy sheets or the girl who does your nails regularly back home.
Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude | Denis Waitley
It’s not all butterflies and unicorns, they are good days and bad days, as every life should. For me, it was an opportunity for personal growth, a chance to explore different ways of life, of thinking and of working. A chance to make dreams come true and create the reality I wanted for myself.
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change | Wayne Dyer
As I mentioned, For the past 15 years, goal setting was my entire life – getting the best grades, the best job, doing everything “right”… I have dreamt about Architecture since I was a little girl and it was all I have worked for. As you can guess, Architecture isn’t one of those swanky millennial jobs everyone is talking about and not one that I ever thought will allow me to travel or to leisure as much. Writing this post from the airport, on my way to explore another destination, makes me believe that anything is possible, that you don’t have to settle for the life you have – you can always create the life you want.
Want to know more? Read 12 lessons from my experience as a digital nomad
Have you ever dreamed of traveling the world while working? Please share in the comments below.
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So freaking glad I met you on this journey and can’t wait to see where we’ll meet next!