đť I never planned to work remotely. But one unexpected month in Panama turned my work life upside downâand into something I never imagined.
đ My Unexpected Start in Remote Work
Since I started working in September 2011 until 2015, I had never once worked from home. It wasnât even an option. There was a clear boundary between work and home, and honestly, I never questioned it.
Between 2015 and 2017, I started doing a few hours from home here and thereâusually on top of office hours. I was very invested in my job and loved it, so spending an evening catching up wasnât a big deal.
In 2017, I worked from home for a few days during a traumatic personal event. To be honest, I was in such a bad mental state that I barely remember how I felt about it.
Things really took a turn in 2018. In December 2017, I moved to Miami for work. By February, we were dealing with some visa-related administrative work that required me to leave the U.S. temporarily. To stay within the same time zone and keep working, my wife Rosie and I went to Panama for a little over a month.
Suddenly, we were living the digital nomad life with zero preparation! đ
đź The Benefits and Challenges of Remote Work (In a Foreign Country)
This new adventure came with its challenges:
Where do we go and stay?
How do we explore Panama while sticking to office hours?
Is the internet reliable enough to work effectively?
And⌠will my rusty Spanish be enough to get by? đ
When youâve never worked remotely, these questions can feel overwhelming. Back then, I wasnât in touch with remote work or digital nomad culture, so I didnât know where to find resources or advice. It was intimidating, but we had no choice but to figure it out. And we did!
Rosie organized the itinerary like a pro. We stayed in three different places in Panama City, took a few days off to visit the stunning San Blas Islands, and even explored Bocas del Toro. While I worked during the day, Rosie found meaningful ways to spend her time, like volunteering at an orphanage and taking Spanish classes.
The result?
We had a great time! It wasnât perfect, but for a first experience, nothing major went wrong, and we discovered an amazing country. đ´â¨
đ Practical Tips for Working Remotely While Traveling
If youâre planning to work remotely in a new place, hereâs what Iâve learned:
1. đ Plan, plan, plan.
This isnât a vacationâyou need dedicated work hours. Research coworking spaces, cafĂŠs with free Wi-Fi, and accommodations with reliable internet. Ideally, have multiple options.
pp2. đ Read reviews.
Before booking anything, dive into Airbnb, Google, and Reddit reviews. Hosts might not always be honest, so rely on other travelersâ feedback. This takes time but saves headaches later.
3. đ¤ Make a plan with your travel partner.
If youâre traveling with someone, agree on how youâll spend your time. One person working full-time while the other wants to explore can create tension. For example, while I worked, Rosie kept herself busy with volunteering and classes, so we both had fulfilling days.
4. âą Be disciplined with your work schedule.
Whether you set your own hours or follow a fixed schedule, staying focused is key. Distractions will be everywhereâespecially in a new place. Self-discipline is your best friend.
5. â Accept you wonât see everything.
Youâre not a touristâyouâre working remotely. Itâs unrealistic to expect youâll experience every sight or activity while maintaining a full workload. And thatâs okay.
đ§ Reflection
As much as I love planning, this first remote work experience was something I stumbled into. I didnât realize at the time that it would be the start of a lifestyle Iâd embrace full-time for years.
But most importantly, this experience showed me that itâs possible to work remotely, deliver whatâs expected, and still have a good time. It was a confidence boost I didnât know I neededâand proof that the remote work lifestyle could work for me. đ
đŹ What About You?
Have you ever thought about working remotely? What excites you about itâor what scares you? If youâre already doing it, whatâs the biggest lesson youâve learned? Let me know in the commentsâIâd love to hear your perspective!