Beyond the Laptop on the Beach

When I first imagined the idea of working remotely back in August 2013, one of my biggest motivators was the chance to travel. Being tied to my desk felt like I was serving time in a prison. When I did take time off, those trips were always too short and packed with anxiety thinking, “This will end too soon.” I envisioned a life where I didn’t have to choose between vacation and work, where I could do both. It didn’t help that every remote work photo, post, or article I encountered usually featured someone with their laptop by the beach. I’ll dive into how misleading that can be later. Tsk tsk.

Back then, every time I talked about working remotely, I made sure to emphasise my desire for the flexibility to travel (first and foremost) and spend time with my family. I’m grateful that I was able to realise this without worrying about whether I could make it back in time for work. While I wouldn’t call myself a travel junkie, I ceased the opportunities to explore that came my way without work being a barrier. The only real questions became: Is there internet connectivity? Do I have the funds to get there? So, yes I have worked in airports, and whilst at holiday resorts. I have never opened my laptop by the beach though 🤭

Fast forward to after I had my son, travel quickly faded as my main motivation for wanting to work remotely. The flexibility to show up for him whenever he needed me became my top priority. I love being able to flexibly plan out certain parts of my day (especially mornings) and take meetings from anywhere, without anyone questioning why I’m not sitting at my desk. Not having to drive through the horrendous traffic in Harare is another huge perk. I absolutely loathe sitting in traffic for long stretches.

If you were to ask me today what my number one reason for wanting to work remotely is, I would definitely tell you it’s the flexibility it provides – especially around the aspects of my life that matter most: my family, my social life (my friends would probably laugh at this because, yeah😅), hobbies like writing this blog, and attending mid-week church meetings or other social events.

If you asked me whether the flexibility to travel is still a perk, I’d probably say yes, though it’s no longer a priority for me. I don’t know if it’s because I discovered that traveling with a toddler is no walk in the park – especially with a toddler on the spectrum! The planning and emotional preparation involved is no small feat.

In my 20s, when it was just me (single like a pringle😂) and living with my parents, travel was all I could think about. My travel bucket list was (and still is) long. There were only two rules: God willing AND funds permitting! I cherish those experiences I managed to have, and I know I’ll still want to travel from time to time. It’s just not my top priority right now.

My son’s stability has become my top reason. It’s crucial to me that he feels comfortable, which means minimising disruptions to his routine and ultimately, our lives. Would he want to travel? I think so. The last time we were on a plane together, he pleasantly surprised me with his behaviour and, I could tell he really enjoyed that ride. I can’t say the same for when we landed, though. The sprinting I had to do at the airport before I got his stroller was amusing to everyone but me!

Most of the remote work photos we see online feature someone on a beach or in a café with their laptop and latte, (often seemingly) thriving in that location-independent lifestyle. Many also showcase passport and boarding pass shots with captions like “catching flights, not feelings.” Let’s be real: there’s a level of pressure that such content creates, especially in today’s social media age of influencers and influencees (Yeah, just made that up!). I’ve experienced both sides – being pressured and being the one applying that pressure (intentionally or not).

Now, if you’re considering a pivot to remote work and feeling “pressure” from online content suggesting you must travel and see the world, I’m here to tell you to relax. You don’t know if what’s portrayed in those photos was funded by remote work income. You might be comparing your experiences to trips paid for by someone else – a spouse, sibling, parent or friend.

Personally, I’ve been on trips that were partly or fully funded by family or friends. Bless them all! It would be misleading for me to claim that every passport stamp I’ve collected came solely from my hard-earned remote work income. So, try to avoid the temptation to chase a lifestyle because of someone else’s highlight reel. Want something and spend money on it because it is meaningful and purposeful to you.

Sit down with yourself and think about what truly matters to you in this season of your life. Be honest about what brings you authentic peace and joy. And if it’s travel, it’s OK. If it’s so that you can volunteer in your local area when you need to, it’s OK. If it’s so that you can take 1-hour long naps during your lunch breaks, it’s OK. If it’s so that you can spend the day in comfy clothes that feel like a hug, it’s absolutely OK too! It’s also OK for your reasons to change from time to time. Sometimes the seasons of life will require that we adapt accordingly.

Just remember, your authentic reason for wanting to work remotely will carry you through the highs and lows of the journey. Beyond potential earnings, what else matters? Because, let’s be honest, sometimes money won’t come, sometimes money will come but won’t be enough, sometimes you’ll be let go, and you don’t want to fall apart and quit too soon because of that. What will inspire you to keep going when challenges arise?

What is your WHY?