Travel the World & Work Remotely: Be A Digital Nomad
- Marcia Crayton
- Nov 10, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 29
Disclaimer: this information is not intended to be job counseling advice or legal advice. Consult legal professionals for working remotely and starting a business.
In the words of the late Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo on the 1980s television series "The Golden Girls:" Picture it, you, lying on the beach, reaching for a cool beverage. The beach has free wifi. All of a sudden, you hear a ding. But, you're not angry, disturbed, or even annoyed. After all, you're at work...
Are you dreaming of working remotely and traveling around the world? Are you a digital nomad looking for a guide to help you live your dream? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Working remotely and traveling the world is a dream for many people. It’s a great way to explore the world while still having a steady income. It’s also a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the 9-5 grind. This is called being a digital nomad.
The Covid-19 worldwide pandemic introduced many people to the wonderful world of working remotely. All of a sudden, we went from suit pants to pajama pants; boardroom meetings to living room meetings; break rooms to the kitchen (with real coffee and tea). People got up, rolled over, logged onto their computers, clocked in and went back to sleep. Miraculously, the world continued at some level.
Some companies did not survive, some people lost their jobs. Businesses started realizing how much real estate they really needed and downsized their physical space, and in some cases, their staff.
Those who were not essential workers found out how essential they really were...or were not. It was Dickens' quote come to life: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
When we started emerging from our homes (which many of us had recreated into sanctuaries away from the real world), a startling reality hit: remote working may have worked. People liked working from home. They felt more creative, less restricted, free, less competitive and dare we say it...more productive.
But then the cities started crying broke. Businesses near office buildings took a hit. Ditto public transportation systems, parking garages, gas stations. They needed people to come in again and implored big businesses to get their people back in. The interesting part was that people didn't want to come back. Yes, there were some that liked getting out of the house, socializing with co-workers and the hustle and bustle of the real world. But many did not. Large companies had to threaten workers with layoffs. They tried easing back in: come in one day a week, then two days, then three days. A new term emerged: working hybrid, meaning you work sometimes at home and sometimes in the office.
But for some people, that wasn't enough. Some people quit their jobs. Some went back to work in person but looked for work elsewhere. Still others sighed, bit the bullet, and starting looking at the pandemic days as the good old days, not remembering the fear of the virus and the millions of people that died.
Let's face it: like other major events in history, the world was never quite the same. And if you can log in for a meeting while sitting on a cruise ship and still be productive, what's the problem?
Psychologists and sociologists tried to point out the positive aspects of interacting regularly with people in a working environment. They looked at students who may have suffered not only academically but emotionally and socially when they were forced to stay at home and to limit social interaction. They looked at the awkwardness of people who did not develop socializing skills, polite conversation or even basic manners.
But there is no doubt that remote work is now part of the employment quilt. It has a place. Some businesses may have some positions designated as remote or hybrid, with the employee coming into the office only once in a while or sometimes. And people who may have issues continually being around people feel like that finally, they have a voice as an employee, just like anyone else who may have a challenge.
So, how do you become a digital nomad? Here are a few key steps to get you started.
You have to be proficient at technology. There's more to being a remote worker that using your phone, checking your email and submitting your timesheet. You have to demonstrate that you can handle tech situations and even be your own IT person, able to troubleshoot and fix some issues on your own. Before you contact your IT department, be prepared to list all of the steps you took to fix the problem on your own.
If you are looking for a new position, you need to be familiar, proficient or an expert at all of the software, apps and physical equipment your career field uses. Are you an HR person? You need to know several programs regarding on-boarding, payroll, digitizing files, etc. Are you creative? You have to be outstanding at the programs in your field whether it be photography, video, cinematography, audio, fine arts, even performing arts because you may have to create a portfolio or file of your work, export it in the proper format and upload it to a site. Each field: medical, law, education, etc. has its own set of programs and apps that are standard to the industry and you have to be able to demonstrate that you can handle it.
Now, you’ll need to analyze your current work situation. Do you have a job that allows you to work remotely? You should communicate with your company to see if there are any parameters. Of course, if you are not at your home address, it is etiquette to let them know when you are not going to be home, aka traveling. For example, cruise ships have notoriously slow wifi, so you cannot be counted on to be reliable. If you are traveling outside of your home country, the servers for your company might not be accessible.
Are you currently working in person and will your company allow you to work from home. As we said before, many companies have flip-flopped on the issue, but you never know. You can ask. But if you have a meeting asking to work permanently, you must not make up reasons for why you want to stay home (sick parent, a made up illness or condition, etc.)
If you're not, working you’ll need to either find a job that allows you to work remotely or start your own business. Use popular job search engines to help you learn what companies want and what skills you need to apply to be selected for the job. There are many websites for finding jobs. If you find a job that allows you to work remotely, all of the terms must be clear: will you be required to come into the office at least once a month, quarter, year? Do you have retroactive rights if the company decides that the job will need to become in person? Can you negotiate hybrid situations: one month in, one month remote; one week in, one week remote, or partially remote during the work week.
Next, many people started their own businesses. They had the resources, the contacts, the know-how, the supplies and the means to market their business. This type of digital nomad work functions the best of all. But it is not all up, there are some downs, too. For one thing, everything is on you. You are a freelancer, you have to drum up the business, keep your clients, fulfill orders, process products, etc. You are your own life, health, vision and dental insurance, your own retirement fund. And you have to make sure your business is legal: paying appropriate taxes and other responsibilities.
Finally, analyze your financial situation: can you afford to do this. What is the minimum you need to pay your current financial responsibilities? Do you own your residence, some type of transportation and do you have debts that need to be paid? Not all of us can sell our homes, buy an RV or boat and just live in that manner. Were you paying into some type of investment retirement fund and are you able to access that or should you let it continue to (hopefully) earn money? Are you part of a family or relationship and does someone depend on you? Being a digital nomad with children means being responsible for their education. Consider all of the variables.
So why do people usually want to work remote? Well, since this is a travel blog, and since we have talked to people, the reason is to travel more!
Once you’ve figured out your work situation, the next step is to figure out your travel plans. Do you want to travel around the world or just stay in one place? Do you want to stay in hostels, hotels, resorts, short term apartments or rent vacation housing from owners, such as an Air BnB? Do you want to travel for a few months or a few years? Subscribe to this blog for ideas and follow our social media accounts for our experiences on the road (and in the air, on a ship, even cycling). We are full time freelancers working remotely since the pandemic and we have never looked back.
Now that you’ve thought out your work and travel plans, it’s time to start the big planning. You’ll need to determine your budget and how to save money while traveling. You’ll also need to plan out how to stay connected while you’re traveling, especially if you're going international. Our e-booklet can help you to make your own plans for your own goals.
It’s time to hit the road! Working remotely and traveling the world can be an amazing experience if you’re prepared and have a plan. So, if you’re ready to live your dream and become a digital nomad, use this guide to get started!
This guide is not intended as legal, psychological, financial or personal advice or official information. MC Enterprises assumes no liability or responsibility for persons using the guide to plan their career or life. It is intended as an e-Book for informational purposes only. If you encounter any issues downloading the book, please contact us by email so that we can work something out for you. Thanks so much!
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