traveling while working

Entrepreneurship, Lifestyle

Aug 27

The Reality of Traveling While Working

Ever wondered what it’s really like to be traveling while working? I mean, it does sound pretty exciting and glamorous, doesn’t it? Well it’s not all sunsets and serene mountains. Behind the Instagram-perfect moments lie the real challenges: dodgy WiFi, timezone juggling, and makeshift workspaces. Let’s uncover the untold story of balancing work and adventuring. Ready to dive in?

Glamour vs. The Reality

It was the middle of July and my husband was working 20 days on with 10 days off. So of course we always took advantage of those 10 days together. This time we decided to roadtrip out to Yellowstone National Park. I had a few meetings scheduled but figured I’d be able to find some coffee shop to pop into for my calls — heck Yellowstone is so popular the visitor center probably has WiFi! Wrong. That morning we packed up our campsite outside of Grand Teton National Park and headed into the park to do some quick touristy sightseeing before getting to the visitor center.

We were indeed able to pack a lot of site seeing into our day but then it was about time for my meetings and it looked like there was a building that had WiFi! Turns out it did not but there was a nearby lodge that was said to have WiFi. I made it just in time to navigate the very spotty WiFi to load Zoom and sit with a gorgeous view… until the fire alarms went off! That required mandatory evacuation and waiting for the fire department to arrive and check out what was going on since there was no obvious fire. I was able to wrap up my call outside on my phone but lets just say it wasn’t the most productive call, but I got the job done. Oh, and there was no fire.

The allure of the working from anywhere lifestyle is powerful—working from beautiful locations, unlimited freedom, and constant adventure. But what no one really tells you about are the hidden challenges and stresses that come with balancing travel and work. Spoiler alert: it’s not all sunsets and mountains (or sand).

The Instagram Illusion

Social media loves to showcase the glamorous side of traveling while working. You see those perfectly filtered photos of people working with thee most beautiful view with a to-die-for coffee, looking effortlessly chic. What you don’t see is the the frantic search for WiFi or the constant juggling of getting work done and responding to clients’ needs while actually enjoy their location.

I mean, let’s be real—Instagram is a highlight reel. It’s like the sizzle reel of a movie, showing only the best parts. The reality is more like a blooper reel, full of unexpected challenges and occasional disasters. But hey, that’s part of the adventure, right?

The Struggles No One Talks About

Finding Reliable Internet

Oh, the stories I could tell about hunting for a stable internet connection.

To avoid these headaches, always plan ahead. And even if you plan ahead, have backup (or two) because if you travel often enough, you’ll need it. The next day after the fire alarm fiasco, I had another call. This time however we were going to be out of the national parks and into a little town that had a few coffee shops and restaurants so I felt like I was guaranteed to at least find one that was open and had space. Turns out Tuesdays were the day businesses took off and restaurants didn’t open until dinner time. BUT I still have phone service so I was able to use my phone and ended up taking the meeting in the car. Less than ideal and not the best service, but again, I got the job done.

Portable hotspots are lifesavers and you might want to invest in a VPN depending on what kind of work you do. Bookkeeping, for instance, might not be the best to get on random WiFi or if you have to re-login in to client’s accounts every time you’re in a vastly different area that can be a huge pain for your client if there are two-factor authentications.

Workspace Woes

I’ve worked from bustling coffee shops, cramped hotel rooms, the car (A LOT of work has been done in the car!), and many random places like a campground general store, a random lodge, and outside of a fire house (in the car, again). Each has its pros and cons. The key is to adapt and be flexible. Sometimes, you’ll find the perfect spot with the best view, and other times, you’ll just have to make do with what you’ve got — like the car and try not to stress too much.

Time Zone

Juggling different time zones can be quite the challenge itself when traveling while working. When I first started this business I was a Virtual Assistant and had clients in different time zones and worked with their clients who were across the globe so I got use to the whole time zone thing pretty quickly. One tip that saved my sanity: the World Time Buddy. When you’re traveling you definitely need to keep in mind time zone changes — changing your time zone to the one you’re currently in on your calendar can be helpful.

Balancing Work and Play

The Pressure to Always Be “On”

The pressure to constantly produce and stay connected while trying to enjoy your travels can be overwhelming. It’s easy to fall into the trap of working non-stop, fueled by the fear of falling behind or missing out on opportunities. During one of our road trips out west I ended up being glued to my laptop and phone almost the whole way trying to help a client out with what felt like an “emergency” when really it could have waited until the end of the day or even the next day.

I’ve experienced more anxiousness than I’d like to admit, all because I didn’t know how to switch off. It’s crucial to set boundaries and give yourself permission to enjoy your surroundings. Honestly, very rarely is it a true emergency and if you’re clients don’t understand they’re not the clients for you. After all, what’s the point of traveling and enjoying having your own business if you’re chained to your laptop the whole time and don’t ever get a break?

Set Boundaries

One of the biggest things you can do for yourself and business is to set boundaries. Communicating your availability to clients and team members is vital especially when traveling while working. Let them know your work hours and stick to them. This not only helps you maintain a healthy work-life blend but also sets clear expectations.

For our honeymoon, I took 10 days completely off and it was the most refreshing experience. I got to truly enjoy and soak in the incredible experience in Kauai with my husband. My clients knew I was offline and enjoying my honeymoon and respected that. I ended up coming back recharged and more productive!

Making Traveling While Working Work

Adapting and Overcoming

Traveling while working requires resilience and adaptability. You’ll face unexpected challenges, like when you have ask around for WiFi and then a fire alarm goes off when you finally do get connected, but each one is an opportunity to grow and learn. From navigating time zones to finding creative work solutions, you’ll become a master problem-solver and you’re car just might be your second office!

The Rewards of the Struggle

Despite the challenges, the rewards of traveling while working are worth it. The personal growth, unique experiences, and the sheer joy of exploring new places make it all worthwhile. Yes, it’s tough, but the memories and lessons you gain are priceless. I wouldn’t trade the stress and anxiousness I experienced for all the places I’ve been able to explore.

If you’re considering taking your office on the road, be realistic about the challenges. It’s not always easy, but the journey is incredibly rewarding. Embrace the chaos, learn from the struggles, and cherish the unique experiences.

Have you traveled while working? Or do you have questions about traveling while adventuring? I’d love to hear from you. Send me a DM on Insta! And if you found this post helpful, please share it!

All rights reserved

Terms

©2024 Wildlee Creative

Privacy