Digitally Nomadic

After some time working as a digital Nomad in Thessaloniki it is time to introspect and provide some insight on what it's been like. To give some context, half my day is worked in the same timezone as my colleagues (UTC+10), whilst I am in (+3). This means a 7 hour difference and I need to start working at around 6am in order to have meetings with people and continue to collaborate. (Which has become more important since I left). I have some hot tips to keep yourself sane whilst doing this kind of schedule:

1. Buy a nice cup or bowl or something you see while working. Its important to see and assosiate some joy with the start of work. I have a lovely coffee cup which is hand made and I got from a market. Whenever I see it, it improves my mood.

2. Sleep after the first 4 hours to maintain your 9-5 schedule. Have a nap for 1-2 hours in order to reduce sleep debt

3. Always keep your weekends booked, especially if you are socially nomadic too. Otherwise you will think about what you have left behind

4. Keep in touch with family and friends; try and call during the second half of the day or during that "nap" break I mentioned prior

5. Work hard, and enjoy your weekends. I have found myself working more hours than when I was stationary due to me having less that I love surrounding me

6. Depending on how your day is staggered, you might have a busy morning or a busy afternoon. Use the time which nobody else is online to your advantage and don't allow yourself to become the distraction. Deadlines and a tight set of goals will help with this.

You will have times in which you are lonely, just as you will have times in which you feel really lucky. Try to balance out the highs and the lows. Someone I spoke to said that they post their happy memories on instagram so when they are sad they can remind themself. Something like this can be healthy. At some points you may even distract yourself with a miriad of content. This is poor, distracting yourself from your problems doesnt help. You need to be able to be alone with yourself if you want to survive this lifestyle. "I am alone, but I am not lonely". Joy and new expereinces can overcome what you have lost, even if it feels helpless in the moment.