Remote Work

Ever since this post decided it wanted to blow up, I have had many Introduction Calls booked with amazing individuals. They are interested in working remotely but don’t know where to start or where to look for opportunities. I’m glad to have shared my experience with them and offered a few pointers to help them get started. I even have a very smart and enthusiastic recent school leaver who landed a remote role working just a few hours a week through my network. Unfortunately, I need to say this here and now (again) that I don’t have a pool of remote jobs waiting. I share strategies that help aspiring remote workers land remote roles. Now, in most of these calls and conversations I continue to have with people who wish to pursue remote work, I have realised that there is a common misconception that remote work is only easy to get for those who work in tech or some kind of IT function. I have gotten used to hearing statements like, “It’s easy for you ka imi ana Tari vari muIT” or “But experience yangu inoita here iyoyi kuRemote?” (Translation: “It’s easy for you Tari because you are in IT” or “But will my experience be relevant for a remote role”) I thought to write this post to speak to those who may be thinking this and are wondering how they can actually get remote roles when they are not techies. Let me start with a story… When I left my job in 2014 to become a Virtual Assistant, I was working in tech. I was an IT Manager for a local bank in Zimbabwe and led the team that was developing and supporting our banking applications. When I decided to become a Virtual Assistant, I was signing up for a job that had nothing to do with tech. The only skills I took with me into this new role were reading, writing, communication and basic computer and internet literacy. I believe most people who can operate a smartphone, computer, and navigate at least one social media platform with ease (even just to socialise) would have also qualified. As I was drafting this article, I decided to go back to my very first client contract from 2014 and review the tasks I was contracted for. There was absolutely nothing related to my previous job. Yet, I managed to maintain this client relationship for seven years, and they paid me consistently over that period. There were seasons in which I wouldn’t have client work, and this client’s work paid to “keep my lights on”. Yes, something that had absolutely nothing to do with IT. I have worked with clients as a Virtual Assistant doing all kinds of tasks that have nothing to do with tech, including helping a client plan her wedding! You might be wondering, “But, Tariro, is that still remote work?” In my world, it is, because I was hired online and coordinated with service providers using various internet tools like Whatsapp and email. I only had to show up the day before the wedding for my client. Seeing everything come together beautifully, getting to wear my lovely dress, and joining in the wedding party was such a rewarding experience which I have shared in the past on my IG here. There are so many roles that are not necessarily tech roles in which you can thrive and earn a decent income as a remote professional. I think we need to separate something being of a tech nature from digital literacy and having digital skills. Whether we like it or not, we are now deep in the digital age, and to thrive in this evolving work environment, you need to have some level of comfort working with basic tech tools. You need to know how instant messaging applications work, and this goes beyond WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. In the world of remote work, you also need to be proficient with applications like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, and Telegram. Grasping how these applications work will help you collaborate more effectively as part of a remote team. If you want to become a Virtual Assistant, you need to learn how to make the most of email applications like Gmail and its integrated tools like Calendar, Zoom, and Google Meet. If you are handling operations within a team, you need to get comfortable working with project and team management tools like Asana, Trello, and Monday. As a freelance writer, you should learn how to use tools like Grammarly and ChatGPT to support your creative work and increase your efficiency. You want to also learn SEO skills to write for better ranking on search engines. As a marketer, you want to know how to maximise automation tools like ManyChat to achieve better engagement on your campaigns. All of these are just examples of non-tech roles that require professionals to embrace tech and use it to be more efficient in their work. So when you think of remote work, don’t assume it’s only for tech professionals. It’s for those who are willing to learn digital tools and commit to upskilling in the digital space. You need to get comfortable using different tech tools to enhance your work because recruiters, agencies, and business owners are looking for professionals who can do this effectively. CVs are great—I have one! But to be honest, not one remote job I’ve worked in the past 11 years has required me to submit it. What mattered more? How I communicated my skills and my ability to demonstrate that I could do what I claimed. The only way to gain the confidence to say this and back it up is to commit to learning and taking action. Don’t disqualify yourself from remote work opportunities just because they seem unfamiliar. If you desire flexibility in your work, start by equipping yourself with the right skills. If you’re unsure where to begin with learning digital tools that will help you navigate

There are many reasons people choose to work remotely. Some are looking for a supplementation of their income, whilst others are looking for a more flexible way to work because they have a disability, young or special needs dependants, or they just want it that way. Whatever one’s reason is to choose this mode of working, it’s important to define the reason you want to work remotely for yourself because this is how you will be able to measure whether or not you are being successful on this path. Personally, when I started out working remotely over a decade ago, I really wanted three things. I wanted to help small businesses and individuals operate more efficiently. I wanted to be able to work from anywhere. I wanted money to fund my desires to travel to different places as and when I wanted. However, here’s my truth. The first and the second were almost easy to attain and say, I am succeeding at this. I was working with small businesses in various industries and really could do it from anywhere. I was not obligated to work in one place. The third piece, though, was a rollercoaster. A seesaw. Up and down. There were times when I would make money to spare to travel, and there were times when I would really be on struggle trips, counting those coins with a racing heart in the middle of those travel moments. But you know what? I was happy (for the most part). However, because my goals have since shifted, especially after I became a parent, I have days when I say to myself, You know what? Maybe I shouldn’t have gone on that trip. Could have saved those coins for something better. There are days… OK? So given this background, I really want to talk to you about what success should look like when you are working remotely. Should you make $20K a year? $50K? Over $100K? Should you travel to Europe every year? Should you buy a car every year? Should you buy a stand every year? Should you be able to rent in a certain part of the city without having your finances cough? Should your children be in a certain kind of school? Should you frequent certain restaurants where you can work and take cute pictures from? Should you positively impact businesses and make a difference in how they operate while also contributing to their revenue? Should you be able to define your working hours and have time aside for your family and friends without having awkward conversations with your boss about why you cannot work this weekend? I could go on. Do you know why? Because success looks different for each one of us. What is a priority for me in 2025 may not be a priority for you. We all want different things at different times in our lives. And it’s so easy to get caught up in wanting all of these things at once. But do we really? Personally, I am on an ever-learning journey of prioritising my needs and wants. Of the many things I want out of this life, there are a few that are incredibly important to me when it comes to defining success in remote work—and they haven’t really changed much from my initial reasons, to be honest. What Success Means to Me Firstly, flexibility. This is so important to me, especially considering my son’s condition and being a single parent. It’s important to me that I am able to show up for him as and when he needs me. Not to be mistaken with showing up with mediocrity, though. Far from it. I am still going to work to deliver my best for my clients. However, it’s very important to me that I don’t get side-eyed when I have to cut a call because he’s having the mother of all meltdowns or I have to assist him with potty routine in the absence of my helper. I don’t want to feel awkward because I have to show up for him or any other loved one. A few years ago, my dad was in hospital suffering a long battle with pancreatic cancer. I would go visit him at nearly every visiting hour and stay the full hour. In between, he would see me on my phone responding to messages. One time, he asked me, Aren’t you supposed to be at work? And I said, Daddy, I’m working remotely. I can respond to messages anytime and can just step out if I need to be on an urgent call. Then he asked if me being there that often wasn’t an issue. I said no. They know I’m here, and they know you are not well. He would ask me the same questions on some occasions when I would need to take him or pick him up from chemo too. However, on this day, he told me, You work for good people. I don’t even remember what I responded back, but I felt what he said. It’s important to work for kind people. It’s important to work for people who afford you the opportunity to show up fully in other parts of your life outside of work. It’s important to have flexibility because life happens to everyone, anytime. I’m blessed to have worked with people who understand this over the years. They make my work more pleasant and motivate me to show up as my best, most authentic self. Secondly, money, money, money. And it’s not even to travel to some resort somewhere for vacation every now and again. Money for basic living. Everything is expensive! From child care to food to the internet itself that allows me to do all of my work. I’m not even talking about luxuries (yet!). I’m sure you’ll agree with me that, the world over, the cost of living is not to be messed with, especially after the pandemic. I’m not even going to dance around this one.

Some time last year, I shared a blog post in one of the WhatsApp groups I’m part of, detailing my experience working remotely. Shortly after, someone messaged me privately, claiming I didn’t understand what I was talking about. According to them, it was impossible to get a remote job while living in Zimbabwe. Are you also curious about how to find remote work clients whilst in Zimbabwe? Then this blog post is for you, but first let me tell you how this conversation unfolded… Curious, I asked why they believed this. Their response? Most companies require you to have a visa to work for them, and some just don’t want to hire Zimbabweans or people from Africa in general. I countered these assumptions, explaining that this wasn’t true and suggesting that they probably needed to change strategy of the kind of roles and opportunities they were looking for. Then they hit me with, “Anyway, you wouldn’t understand. Hanti you’re based in the US.” Ladies and gentlemen, I am not based in the US. I live in Harare, Zimbabwe. I understand how the confusion arose, though. At the time, I was using a US number for WhatsApp, so it’s easy to see why someone might jump to that conclusion. For clarity’s sake, here’s how I got that number and what I also explained to him: I purchased an eSIM via an app called Numero. This app allows you to pay an annual fee for a phone number from any country of your choice, mostly the US and European countries. The number works for receiving calls and SMS within the app and can also be linked to services like WhatsApp. As long as you have a debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), you can buy one too. The world is becoming increasingly connected, opening doors for those who might otherwise be excluded because they cannot receive an international call, for example. But that’s not the main story here. Today, I want to address the myths about working remotely while living in Zimbabwe and the mistake I see a lot of aspiring remote workers make as they are looking for clients. Many people believe it’s nearly impossible to land a remote job, that there’s no way for clients to pay you given the complexities of our financial systems, or that employers simply won’t hire someone based in Zimbabwe. I could go on. Here’s the truth: There are clients around the world who are ready and willing to hire you remotely, even if you’re in Zimbabwe or its neighboring countries. There are also clients who are based in Zimbabwe who are ready and willing to hire you regardless of where you live. The key is demonstrating your value and articulating how you can help their business. But (and this is a big but) you need a certain mindset to succeed. You’ll need to take ownership of your work, promote yourself, and clearly communicate your value. Be comfortable talking about what you do, the problems you solve, and the results you deliver. If you struggle with articulating your value, I strongly advise you to consider working with a coach. If you’re like me, you probably weren’t born with this skill. I had to learn while working with personal branding and business coaches, and you can learn too. Now, when I look back on my journey over the past decade, I’m struck by how many of my clients have been in or from Zimbabwe. Like many aspiring remote workers, I initially thought I needed to look outside Zimbabwe to find paying clients. So, I set up profiles on Fiverr and Upwork, hoping to land gigs. Unfortunately, I didn’t succeed there. Instead, I encountered more scam enquiries than genuine opportunities. To this day, I’ve never landed a client through those platforms. They’re highly competitive, and the current “pay-to-play” dynamics (i.e. if you pay for visibility it boosts your chances of having your profile seen) make them even less appealing to me. My profiles still exist and are up to date, but I don’t put much energy into them. What I’ve learned is this: dismissing Zimbabwe as a viable market for remote work could mean missing out on significant opportunities especially as you are getting started. Many freelancers and aspiring remote workers focus solely on earning in USD because of how volatile our local currencies are. USD is seen as a store of value. But in Zimbabwe, USD is part of our day-to-day trade, so finding clients who are willing to pay you directly via bank transfers, EcoCash, other mobile money services or even in cash could actually be an easier way to get started in the world of remote work. Remote work doesn’t mean masses of land or water have to separate you and your clients. It just means you are where you are, and your client is where they are. You could even be in the same neighborhood! Anyway, here are some of my tips if you are looking to find remote work clients in Zimbabwe. How To Find Remote Work Clients In Zimbabwe Start Talking to People Network online and offline. Attend local events, and connect with business owners who might need help. Many businesses are looking for ways to leverage digital tools or improve their operations but can’t afford full-time hires. Offer solutions tailored to their needs. Flexible hires are usually welcome by a lot of business owners today. Build Relationships Ask for referrals. Don’t be shy about this. Many opportunities come from word of mouth. I used to feel embarrassed when clients mentioned me at networking events, but those glowing reviews were often the key to my next opportunity. Embrace them and use them as opportunities to shine. Understand Local Needs Many Zimbabwean businesses need assistance in areas like digital marketing, tech solutions, customer support, and operational efficiency. Position yourself as someone who can deliver value in any of these areas. Ready to Work Remotely in 2025? Are you based in

Let’s get this out of the way quickly before I start: I am assuming that “aspiring remote workers” are those who want to look for opportunities online to apply themselves as freelancers, contractors or full time employees with the skills that they possess and not necessarily migrate to a remote mode of working with their current employer. When I started working online in 2014, I didn’t even realise that I was getting myself into a whole different world of work. I had been working in IT for a bank for just over three years before I decided I wanted to become a Virtual Assistant (VA) supporting small business owners around the world. Working in tech, from our very limited access IT office, I woke up every day with work to do, business users clamouring at our door and in our IT Helpdesk inbox. I’m not going to lie – I really thought that it wouldn’t be any different after I announced that I wanted to be a VA and was ready to serve. I got the surprise of my life! I think this was the first reality check I had as I was starting out, and each time I speak to aspiring remote workers, I want to start with getting their mind right about what they are about to get themselves into. If you are reading this and are looking to dive into remote work in 2025, this message is especially for you. I am speaking directly to you. Working remotely requires that you make some significant shifts in how you view and approach your work because, oftentimes, the mindset, culture and systems required for you to succeed are not necessarily the same as if you were working on-site or in-person. It’s easier now to have this conversation given what the entire world had to go through with the pandemic back in 2020. Some people had never used Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet until Covid-19 happened. We got to a point where this was now normalised. However, for many, this did not feel normal. They still felt like something was missing or struggled with achieving positive outcomes whilst working remotely, and it was actually a relief for them having to return to the office and do work “normally” again. So how do you prepare your mind for a career working remotely? 1. Your Personal Brand is Now Your Full-Time Job Your personal brand is what sets you apart in a crowded online market. When you work remotely, potential employers or clients don’t get the chance to meet you in person. Your LinkedIn profile, portfolio, social media presence, and even the tone of your emails are your first impression. You need to be intentional about how you present yourself and what story you’re telling about your skills, experience, and values. Consistency is key. Make sure your profiles align and clearly communicate what you do. Invest in a professional headshot, write a compelling bio, and showcase your work in a way that’s visually appealing and easy to navigate. Your online presence should make people say, “This is someone I want to work with.” Personally, I did not even know the first thing about this when I was starting out and because I didn’t know about it, I missed out of the potential value of having it in place in the beginning. I struggled with landing my first clients because I could not convince business owners I could do what I said I could so. They just couldn’t take my word for it. It was only a few years later I started appreciating that whatever activities I chose to engage in online, would speak for me 24/7 even during times when I was not actively selling my services and help build trust with my audience. I learnt the value of talking about what I do and the value I bring to business owners and their teams and with time it became easier to convince business owners to work with me. If you seriously considering building a career working remotely and positioning yourself for opportunities, you need to take your personal brand seriously and understand that it’s not just good looking headshots. It’s also what you say, the work you do and how you engage with others online. 2. Self-Motivation and Discipline Are Non-Negotiable Once you’ve nailed your personal brand, the next step is learning to motivate yourself because no one else will. Working remotely means no one is physically there to watch over your shoulder or remind you of deadlines. You’ll need to be proactive about managing your time and tasks. This shift can be challenging, especially if you’re used to the structure of an office environment. When I was starting out, I used to work from home and my mum would casually say stuff like, “Wanna go to Westgate and get some doughnuts?” I would love to lie to you right now and say I would tell her, “No mhamha. Ndiri pabasa!” (Translation: No mum. I’m working). I would not do that. Instead, I would just drop my work and join her to the mall, then come back and continue 2 or so hours later having lost my train of thought. This went on for the rest of that first year but I realised that I was not going to win behaving like that. I was lying to myself that this was the freedom I had signed up for, but was it, really? It definitely wasn’t. I then moved to my dad’s office the following year. It was better, because everyone there was in work-mode but because there was high traffic of clients coming in and out, it was so easy to get distracted. The following year, I moved again to a co-working space and for a number of years that followed I actually work in shared office spaces and that worked much better than working from home. Today, I work from home – 99% of the time. I guess because

Happy New Year, fam! What a blessing it is to witness another year! I am so grateful that God has given me the opportunity to serve Him and others. This is a privilege I don’t take lightly. Last year, on March 1st, I started this blog with the intention of sharing stories about my journey in remote work, working in tech, and navigating life. Writing has always been a passion of mine—mostly as a way to entertain my friends through my social media updates. I honestly can be such a joker 🤡 But in 2024, I decided to take it more seriously because some friends and family have long bet that I’d be one of those to land a book deal. Well, let’s not disappoint them, shall we? 😉 One day is one day. Stepping into 2025 This year, I’m beyond excited about upcoming projects and collaborations. Towards the end of 2024, I decided to feel the fear and do it anyway. What did I do?I (finally) launched the audio version of this blog, Stories I Tell, to give my audience the option to listen to my posts. Why an audio blog? If you’re like me, sometimes you don’t have the time to sit and read, but you can easily multitask while listening to your favorite podcast. Plus, I believe some (if not all) of these stories deserve to be told in my voice and tone. To everyone who has taken the time to listen to the first few episodes. You are my Superstars! 🌟 Thank you for your feedback and support – it has been invaluable in helping me improve. But let me be honest: This wasn’t my first attempt at launching a podcast. Back in 2021, I recorded my first episode but never published it. Fear held me back: So, I shelved the idea indefinitely. But as I rekindled my love for blogging, the podcast idea came back to me. This time, I promised myself I’d do it differently by just being me. That meant that sometimes I would feel scared, sometimes it would not be perfect but I embraced that fear and imperfection and started anyway. Declaring 2025: My Year of Bold Moves, Intentional Progress and Empowering Others This year, I’m all about bold, intentional actions; whether it’s pushing past fear, launching new projects, or holding myself accountable. Speaking of accountability, towards the end of last year, a dear one suggested we start having accountability calls. At first, the idea scared me. The pressure! But I knew how valuable it would be, so I agreed. After all, intentional moves often yield positive results, even if we can’t always control the final outcomes. Reigniting My Coaching Journey Another bold move for 2025 is fully committing to coaching and mentoring aspiring remote workers. Six years ago, I started a community to equip Virtual Assistants with skills and support for success in the online marketplace. But (full transparency alert 🚨) I struggled with consistency and got discouraged by low turnout for my weekly live sessions. If you don’t know what I’m talking about see video below 👇 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wahala Room Of Africa (@wahalaroom) Over the years, my perspective around coaching and training has shifted. While growing numbers are great, I’ve realized that sometimes making a positive impact is far more fulfilling. That’s why I’m reopening the door to anyone who needs guidance as they navigate remote work. I never tire of sharing what I know, and every call is a deep, meaningful conversation I truly enjoy. This year, I’m excited to offer even more support to aspiring remote workers looking to thrive in 2025. If you’re interested, book a call with me here. Let’s chat about how you can set yourself up for success in the world of remote work. I can’t wait to connect with you! Wishing You a Blessed 2025 Here’s to a year filled with happiness, love, peace, and prosperity. Let’s make 2025 a year of bold moves and intentional progress.

About 9 years ago, I was fired by a client. I was not made redundant. My client was not downsizing. I was fired for performing poorly in my role at the time as a Virtual Assistant. Here’s what happened… I had just started getting the hang of networking and was working with a client who used to tell anyone and everyone just how much value she was getting from working with me. Consequently, I started getting a couple of referrals and leads quickly turned into clients. One of the people I met at a networking event I was organising for my advocating client referred me to a wonderful, energetic gentleman who was working on a new project. I was pretty excited about the possibility of working with him and when I signed him up I hit the ground running. Things started well (or so I thought). Let’s call our client, Mr. Wonderful (Seriously, he was genuinely a lovely person regardless of how things ended + I’m also a Shark Tank fan). Mr. Wonderful was clear about the outcomes he wanted from me. Unfortunately, once I started doing the work, imposter syndrome crept in and I started doubting whether I was cut out to do what he wanted me to do. I quickly became overwhelmed as Mr. Wonderful was not playing with the task assignments, was strict on timesheets and asked for updates on a regular. And because at the time, my communication and organisation skills were still trying to make their way through the refinery, I didn’t do a good job letting him know how the workload and expectations were not aligned with my own capacity. It wasn’t long before Mr. Wonderful’s frustrations started to build up. In the middle of all of that fiasco, I decided I needed to travel out of the country because I still had the mentality of “I entered remote work for the freedom and flexibility.” However, at this point, things were not exactly stable for me on the client front and, in all honestly, I seriously needed to chill and focus on this client’s work without the distractions presented by travel. But I felt entitled to it and went anyway. The result? Mr. Wonderful couldn’t reach me for hours for something that was so crucial because I was mid-air and even after he did then reach me, he found out I had not done the work up to the standard he wanted and he got incredibly upset. I wish I still had the email to show here but unfortunately it was on another hosting. Have you ever been shouted at in an email and felt it? I have. Reading through that email was devastating. Mr. Wonderful called out my incompetence. Some of his text in that email was in red and he did not hold back on the exclamation marks. I could tell he was fuming and did not even know how to salvage the situation. I tried to deliver an apology with a dash of defensiveness but the milk was already spilt – it was a mess! And so, I was fired that day. I will never forget it because I don’t ever want to go through such an experience with a client again. I also don’t ever want a client to experience that with me. It was embarrassing to say the least and I think the worst part of it all was that this was a client who had been referred to me by someone I was also in the process of building a relationship with. What was she going to say? I held this experience over my head for a few years following the incident. I was struggling to forgive myself and the shame of losing a client in such a manner was haunting me. But through coaching, mentoring and actively working on improving how I engaged with clients in my online business, I started getting over it. In fact, I can say that with each client who then came after that I always tried to not just communicate as much as possible, but in cases where things were not working out as expected, end things amicably because, sometimes clients are not a good fit for us, vice versa or both. We are not always going to fit into each other perfectly. I haven’t talked to Mr. Wonderful since this incident but I sincerely wish him well. The lessons he taught me were not small and they have shaped my client engagement in a huge way. Here are the lessons that stick out for me. 1. Clarity in Communication Is Non-NegotiableEarly in the project with Mr. Wonderful, I should have communicated openly about my capacity, challenges, and timelines. Overpromising or staying silent in the face of mounting pressure only made things worse. Clear, honest, and proactive communication ensures clients are aware of your limits and progress.It’s always better to over-communicate. 2. Understand That Freedom Comes With ResponsibilityThe flexibility of remote work is a privilege that requires balance. Prioritising my own freedom over delivering on client expectations was a poor and irresponsible choice. I have since learned to create boundaries and manage my time responsibly to maintain both freedom and professionalism. 3. Failure Is a Stepping Stone, Not a Life SentenceLosing this client was a painful but necessary wake-up call for me. It pushed me to confront my shortcomings, take accountability of the impact of my actions, invest in self-improvement, and develop a more client-centric approach. Failure doesn’t define you but how you respond to it does. Have you ever been fired for incompetency? How did you take it? Let me know in the comments. P.S. If you are a newbie remote worker struggling to get and keep clients, I would like to help you. I have opened up just 5 one-on-one coaching slots (4 sessions over 4 weeks) in the month of January into February where I can hold your hand as you navigate building and nurturing sustainable client relationships

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

On this day, last year, I was in London for our flagship event, the STRETCH Conference. We have been hosting it every year during Black History Month in the UK for the past 8 years. I had gone into 2023 really wanting to meet up in person with some of my colleagues who I had been working with remotely for over 2 years at this point. As much as I was excited, I (honestly) did not expect to like London PLUS my anxiety was at an all time high. Why? Was it my first time on a plane? No. Was it my first time travelling to a new place alone? No. Was it my first time travelling to a faraway place and leaving my son? Yes! Maybe THAT was the problem! I also think it was the fact that every time I have travelled to anywhere, I have stayed with friends or family who I have known all my life. But here I was going to be meeting with my colleagues in person for the first time and I did not know what to expect. It made me a bit uneasy. I work 100% remotely and don’t really get to meet people in person for anything in professional settings. It has gotten worse since I had my son because it now almost seems like my life just revolves around being in front of my laptop, running errands, school run, visiting my mum and doing church during the weekends. Let me just say being a professional hermit is not the desired state (for me) and I’m working on improving in this area. Anyway, straight off the bat I’m going to tell you though, London pleasantly surprised me. I loved my experience there last October and I don’t know whether it was London itself, the people I got to experience it with, our host or all of the above. Being part of the team on the ground that was planning and executing the STRETCH Conference event was such an honour. I enjoyed every minute of it! We met our other former colleagues and friends and having them carve out time to travel and catch up over brunches and lunches was just wholesome. By the way, the London food scene is GREAT! I had the best jollof rice meal to date and even as I type this right now, I remember how it was being prepared and the aroma. My goodness! I usually don’t go crazy over food when I travel but listen, even the Nando’s there hits different! Nando’s Zimbabwe is just annoying me at this point – I don’t even eat it anymore. The public transit system in London? 10/10! I love it so much because it makes it so easy for visitors to move around. I don’t like having to 100% depend on locals or Uber for mobility when I travel. This may sound weird but it actually makes me homesick. This reminds me of something my dad told me when I was getting on a plane for the first time some 10+ years ago. I was going to Dubai to visit my sister. I don’t know whether he could tell I was anxious but he said, “As long as you can read, you’re going to be fine”. And that’s been my approach to traveling to new places since. As long as it is written in English, I will figure it out. But even though I can read well I did have moments in London of running after trains and missing them by half a second or worse, just ending up on the wrong platform. Exhilarating if you ask me! 😅 Now to add icing to my first ever London experience, I had close family fly and drive in from different parts of the UK to see me just for a few hours. I mean, what do you do with that kind of love and showing up whilst in a new city? Even typing this makes me miss them more. Long distance cousin-ships and sibling-ships suck, honestly! So what is it about meeting in person? You all know I am such an advocate for remote work. I believe the flexibility it affords professionals just adds to a healthy and more balanced working experience. Over the years, I have tried to go remote even with my networking – joining communities that resonate with my professional aspirations. I have connected with amazing people along the way with whom I have exchanged products and services with. I have even partnered with others on projects without ever meeting in person. You can never convince me that remote work is not a viable way to grow teams and support business operations. My experience over the past 10 years says otherwise. But there is something about meeting in person that just brings a whole other dimension to relationships. “Oh you’re so tall!” “My goodness, you are so short!” Those were some of the hilarious first impressions we shared as we saw each other for the first time behind our screens. Whether we like it or not, perceptions are usually created as we hide behind the Teams, Zoom and Google Meet profile pictures and silhouettes. Sometimes we read chats and messages in voices and tones not intended by the sender. Some of y’all even play voicenotes at 1.5x or 2x speed to get through the message quickly which completely alters someone’s tone 😂 I’m laughing because I do that and it gets on my mum’s last nerve. So if you are like me and you fancy working remotely because you prefer to keep to yourself and the idea of socialising sometimes makes you cringe, please allow me to change your mind? Allow the conversations to leave the screens and keyboards. Be open to having them over cups of coffee and rich delicious slices of chocolate cake. (Sidebar: The way I have been thinking about chocolate cake lately is just nuts – my birthday is in 2