Working while traveling
Working from anywhere in the world is undoubtedly a dream of many people in today’s age. It was one of mine as well. If you told me a few years ago, I would work from my laptop while having Nepali chiya at the foothills of the Himalayas, I probably wouldn’t believe you. Being able to travel and earn along the way seemed far away from my reality. Nonetheless, this idea was so intriguing and appealing that I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Whenever something occupies my mind so fiercely, I can’t help but go after it.
The beginning
So I started my journey of becoming a location-independent freelance writer. Needless to say that at that time, I had no experience whatsoever in how to be neither a writer nor a freelancer nor location independent in any sense. But, I took the first step. I wrote the first resume for 5$ and felt like the portal of the new world that I had been dreaming of just opened. I knew that each step, no matter how small it was, represents an equally important building block towards my dream.
During my travels, I met a lot of digital nomads who were traveling for many years. Some of them found their spot in one country, and some changed the location after some period and kept searching for the best “online-working” climate worldwide. Except for the apparent fact that they were all digital nomads, I noticed one thing almost everyone had in common; no one felt a connection with their country. It seemed that one of the biggest reasons they are constantly on the road is because they don’t want to come home.
As a disclaimer, I would like to highlight that this is purely my subjective, highly unprofessional and spontaneous “social study”. Considering this is a personal story, I take the freedom to turn this realization into a statement.
What do I actually feel about living abroad?
At first, I thought this is what I want as well. To find my place somewhere far away from my country, family and friends and create a new life from scratch. I believed this is how “real” digital nomads should live. But then I started to question every aspect of this thought. Although I had complete freedom, something dragged me away from that idea. The winter of 2019 was a turning point.
It was a windy December in Tarifa, Spain, and I worked in a hostel for almost a month already. I enjoyed speaking Spanish and connecting with amazing people. I planned to celebrate Christmas there and, ultimately, stay in Spain. However, my inner guidance, to whom I turn whenever I need advice on what to do next, had a different message. I sensed a strong urge to go home to Croatia for Christmas.
Coming home and facing my shadow
Many factors determined this decision, but the most important one was the feeling that I had some unfinished business there. I needed to remind myself about the importance of my family, ancestors, friends, reconnect with nature where I grew up and ground myself with the roots surrounding me.
At that point, I was well aware that my absence and traveling had a lot to do with avoiding what I needed to face. As an avid spiritual traveler who believes the only essential travel in life is the inner one, I couldn’t ignore such an important soul calling. My unfinished business was mainly connected to family, past relations and my overall opinion of my country. I knew the inner peace I was lacking and constantly seeking could not come if I don’t clean up my internal space for it.
Moreover, I knew if I wanted to continue traveling, I don’t want to feel resentment towards my home. So, I took a much-needed step back. I stayed in my country for one year and did exactly what needed to be done. It felt profoundly transformational.
Fresh perspective
I opened my eyes to the stunning forests, mountains, sea and rivers surrounding me. I spend many Sundays with my family sharing good food and precious conversations. I connected with my tribe of friends in the most magical way. All in all, the year 2020 was a crucial transitional period for me. Staying in a place from which I initially ran away gave me reflections that no place in the world would give me. Whatever they may be, facing our past issues brings unexplainable empowerment and a deeply rooted confidence of belonging.
From this point, I felt I could experience the world with new, fresh eyes because the main work I had to do was behind me. I truly believe that staying in my country was the most important journey I embarked on. For this reason, I feel one of my spots will always be Croatia.
Knowing my roots and continuing to travel
I believe traveling should always be about an inner journey. If we know our roots, feel the love from our family and friends and have a deep connection with the earth that raised us, we can easily roam around the world. However, in the end, we should know where we can always come back to.
I am incredibly excited to expand my online business and work from anywhere in the world, but Croatia will forever be on my list to live in.
I am writing this article from an enchanting village in Nepal because my heart led me to this magical country. What makes my Nepal experience unique is that this is the first trip where I am not running away from my country. Even more so, I feel excited to go back home and smell the fresh seaside air during the hot Croatian summer. But, for now, Nepal is hugging me with an open heart, and I know this is the place where I currently have to be. Nevertheless, I feel that some other countries will show me equal love, and I am looking forward to giving my love back.
The answer is always within
Finally, what I discovered is that each journey is individual, and the more we dig deep into the essence of our being, the sooner we will get on the path that is unique solely to us. Comparing my life with someone else’s has never given me any answer, only confusion. Thus, I learned it is wise to hear each story and see all the options, but the final decision lies within. And this is how I realized, I will always have many spots around the world, but my home in Croatia will always be one of them.
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