Living on the go? You don’t have to sacrifice a routine. Read our top 5 routines for digital nomads.
Our company understands the importance of flexliving (we even tried it out for ourselves). After testing out working from home in the early days of the pandemic, we decided to make it official and become remote-first, giving our remote teams flexibility to live and work from anywhere. Two years later, we’ve built a lot of knowledge, best practices, and expertise.
Here’s what we’ve learned: Living on the go doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice daily routines. In fact, adding some structure to your day can enhance your overall experience. Our teammates let us in on the routines that have helped them thrive in a virtual environment, and it all comes down to this: time management, wellness, and social connections. Use these tips to help you make the most of your flexible lifestyle.
1. Create a Morning Routine
The way you spend the morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. Create a routine that boosts your energy and productivity. This could look like waking up at the same time every day, grabbing a coffee from your favorite shop, meditating, or simply getting dressed (try ditching the sweats for an outfit that makes you feel your best).
“We’ve been given back the most valuable resource known to mankind: time. Use it with intention.”
– Casey Vickers, Bookings Lead
One of the biggest benefits of a flexible lifestyle is the ownership you have over your time. And as our Bookings Lead, Casey Vickers, said, you should use it intentionally. Being a digital nomad is all about work-life balance, so before you log into a meeting or head out to explore the town, you’ll want to use your mornings to map out your day. We suggest making a bulleted list of the things you want to do that day, both personally and professionally. Want to hike at a nearby national park? Add it to the list. Need to meet a deadline? Add that to the list, too. Seeing these to-dos in front of you, will help you prioritize, make time for each task, and make balancing work and life priorities a little easier.
2. Designate a Workspace
You have an opportunity to work from anywhere, and while that’s exciting, working from a different place every day may cause you to lose focus or could impact your productivity. Don’t get us wrong, we believe that switching up where you work from time to time can give you that much-needed burst of energy or inspiration, but having a designated space will provide structure and a home base that you can always return to. No tables available at the coffee shop? No problem.
“I’ve invested a lot into my workspace by adding a nice desk, a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and plants—it’s a setup that I feel proud to work from!”
– Nate Rosen, Resident Experience Manager
Your workspace can range from an office in a co-working space to a cozy workstation in your bedroom. What really matters is that the space is functional and readily available. Our Resident Experience Manager, Nate Rosen, recommends equipping your workstation with all the proper resources you’ll need to get your job done efficiently and adding personal touches like plants, photos, and books to create a space you’re proud of.
3. Take Breaks
There’s a lot to explore when living in a new city, so it’s understandable that you’d want to see as much as possible. However, don’t feel pressured to see it all at once. When exploring a new city, you’ll want to experience it like a traveler: going at a steady pace, living like a local, and not rushing to tick every box on your itinerary. Trying to do it all can be overwhelming, so we suggest taking breaks. Spend time relaxing at a local park—it’ll be more rewarding than visiting every tourist attraction in the city. The benefits? A break will recenter you, force you to take it all in, and allow you to think about what you really want out of your experience.
The same idea applies to your work life: it’s easy to fall into the trap of overworking when you’re remote—with deadlines and heavy workloads, sometimes it seems like the only way to get ahead. But while powering through heads-down time can feel productive, the downside is that it can also leave you feeling drained and burned out. Take breaks throughout your workday to recharge.
“My chiropractor gave me this rule as a way to think about each hour: sit for 30, stand for 20, move for 10. If I’m in heads-down mode for a couple of hours, I make sure to take at least 10 minutes to get up and do something around the house or take a walk around the block. It’s a good way for me to reset and then come back feeling a little more refreshed.”
– Megann Sept, Marketing & Brand
Our Head of Marketing and Brand, Megann Sept, avoids overworking by taking short breaks throughout the day. You can do the same by stepping away from the monitor to do a quick chore, eat a snack, or go outside for a breath of fresh air. Some people opt for longer breaks to attend a workout class or run an errand. Whether it’s 10 minutes or an hour, work breaks can improve your mood, reduce negative feelings, boost your creativity, and increase your work-life balance.
4. Start an Exercise Routine
Moving from one city to the next can take a toll on our minds and bodies. We’ve found that one of the best ways to keep both healthy is with an exercise routine.
“Get three dogs (laughing). You’ll be forced to spend time outside, and you’ll also be forced to exercise.” – Alex Burrow, Head of Home Design
Many people purchase gym memberships to help them stick to their routine, but with year-long contracts and monthly payments, this may not be a sustainable choice for you. Here are a few ways you can maintain your routine from anywhere—without the commitment:
Travel with equipment. We get it, as a digital nomad, it’s in your best interest to pack light. And you still can. Lightweight equipment like jump rope and resistance bands are perfect for traveling and make it convenient to get in a quick workout wherever you are.
Sign up for a fitness class. Instead of a gym, you may be able to find a local class for pilates, cycling, or swimming. They’re easy to book and are great places to make new friends who like doing the same things you do.
Download apps. Find a fitness app that’ll give you access to guided workouts. You’ll be able to try yoga, cardio, or strength training from the comfort of your bedroom or at a nearby park.
Get a pet. Whether you have one dog or three like our Head of Home Design, Alex Burrow, taking them for walks is a great way to get those extra steps in and the perfect opportunity to explore a new neighborhood.
5. Connect with Friends
Living on the go is a rewarding lifestyle, but it means you’re often away from close friends. And although you’ll likely meet new people, those long-time relationships are the connections you need to keep you grounded, motivated, and supported.
“Meet up with your friends and work together. It’s a fun way to catch up and have that in-person experience that you don’t always get when working remotely.”
– Imani Kennedy, Content Writer
Create a routine that keeps you regularly in touch with friends. This could mean scheduling virtual lunch dates, planning days to catch up over the phone, or traveling to meet them every few months or so.
Our Content Writer, Imani Kennedy, suggests planning weekly meetups. This is a good idea if you have a friend in the same city or within a reasonable distance. Try scheduling happy hours, dinners, or even meet up at a central location during the week to spend the day working together.
Living a flexible lifestyle is a freeing experience, but without structure, it can leave you feeling drained and uninspired. Simple things like taking breaks, seeing friends, and using your time wisely can make all the difference in your productivity, wellness, and your overall experience as a digital nomad.
1. Create a Morning Routine
2. Designate a Workspace 
3. Take Breaks
5. Connect with Friends
