The Job – First Things First
Working as a digital nomad from the beach, gazing at the sea, with a mango juice next to my laptop – that’s how I envisioned my dream work life for years. And guess what? It came true. Here, I’ll share how I made it happen and what I’ve learned along the way!
To work from the beach, you first need a job that allows it. Not every job can be done from abroad. Even for roles that are 99% computer-based, some employers still prefer their employees to work from the office.
How the pandemic changed everything
For me, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. My job in internal communications, which used to allow one day of home office per month (in emergencies), suddenly became five days a week from home. Overnight, I transitioned from working in the office to working within my own four walls. However, working from abroad was still not an option, and it didn’t seem like it would be allowed anytime soon.
Be open to changing jobs
I knew I couldn’t bear another winter in Germany (up until Christmas, it’s fine, but another dark, wet, cold January was just too much for me).
So, a new job was in order. Even with limited time and energy, you can set up job alerts on platforms like StepStone or Indeed. Nowadays, they even have filters for remote positions.
In 2021, I was absolutely determined not to spend another winter in Germany, so I wasn’t too picky in my job search. Location: Remote! Does the job description fit? Apply! (During the interview process, the new colleagues seemed super nice, but the tasks appeared quite boring. But my main goal was to work from abroad, and I made that very clear. They assured me it was possible, so I decided to give it a shot.)
No fear of making decisions
Back then, the decision wasn’t easy for me. At the same time, I was offered another job – more money, the next rung on the career ladder, and an exciting topic… but firmly based in Germany. Always. For days, I wrestled with myself, consulted friends, and made lists. It felt like I was choosing between life and death – I just didn’t know which was which. So, I’ve summarized my key learnings for you:
Making Decisions Easy 😉
- Remember: Most decisions can be undone (including the choice to live as a digital nomad).
- No decision is made with 100% certainty (otherwise it wouldn’t be a decision); 60% confidence is enough.
- Before consulting friends or family for advice, consider: Who are you calling and – honestly – what kind of advice are you hoping to get from them? That’s your inner compass.
- Lastly: Life is a series of experiments. Don’t wait too long to try things that matter to you. Just do it, see how it feels. If it’s good: keep going; if not: change something.
Freelancer or Self-Employed?
Both are viable options you can pursue. They require skills that you already have or can develop further. These skills might include:
- Web and App Development
- Graphic Design and Illustration
- Content Writing and Blogging
- Social Media Management
- Virtual Assistance
- SEO and Digital Marketing
- Online Teaching
- Translation
- Photography and Videography
- Consulting and Coaching
Ideally, you already have some clients. I find a regular income very reassuring. My path was to start with a remote job, enjoy the flexibility, crave more freedom, and gradually build a side hustle that will hopefully become my main source of income one day.
Confirming overseas work with your employer
If you have a job that you can perform remotely, the next step is to understand your company’s policies. Each company may have different rules. Make sure to discuss this during the application process so that both parties are aware from the start. Before each trip, I talk with my supervisor and log my out-of-office days into our system. There may be certain conditions that need to be met, so it’s best to clarify these early on.
Travel Health Insurance
Since I still have a full-time job, I use a very affordable travel health insurance for shorter trips (up to 56 days) that costs about 20 Euros per year. I highly recommend this to everyone.
If your trip is longer, this insurance won’t cover you anymore, and it becomes much more expensive. You can find the best current deals on comparison platforms like Check24.com.
Make sure that potential “extreme sports” are covered – even if you’ve categorically excluded them for yourself, the feeling of complete freedom and a group of new friends might lead you to jump off cliffs, out of small planes, or even get a diving certificate.
Check if there’s a clause about riding scooters (often, you can rent scooters abroad without an international driver’s license, but you might only be insured if you have one).
For me, coverage for medical repatriation is also super important
More
Living the dream life on the beach, sipping mango juice, needs to be funded. Even though the cost of living in Southeast Asia is cheaper than in many Western countries, you still need to cover the travel expenses to get there.
Maybe you already have a dream destination in mind, which makes the decision easy. However, there are a few prerequisites you should check before booking your flights. I’ve summarized the most important ones here.
Your packing list will depend greatly on your destination. I prefer warm countries, but I also have valuable tips for combining a cold country with a warm one in your packing list.
Solo Nomad Travels 