The Life of a Digital Nomad: Finishing the Year Like a True Nomad
- Jess Nadeau
- Jan 6, 2024
- 3 min read
December 2023 - The last month summed up the whole year: lots of moving around, ups and downs, prioritizing friends and family, but not much work progress.
My part-time student status was very short lived. Although I was very excited to start a GIS course, I quickly realized I do not have the system/technological requirements to complete such a course. I still use my old 2015 mac. It's a bit embarrassing, but it's still good enough for my "normal" work. Just... So, I had to reluctantly cancel my course.
I started the month in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. A beautiful beach town I fell in love with 5 years ago and still love today. On December 3, my friend Ash came down from Auckland and we drove to Karangahake for a 3-night stay in a picturesque gorge. The plan was to do a little remote work retreat.
She had loads to do... but I was no longer a student and was still waiting on the next translation work to come through. The ideal scenario for working on life admin (my own accounting, socials, website updates, portfolio, etc.), writing, and planning the short-term future.
On December 6, we drove back to Auckland. My trip to New Zealand was quickly coming to an end. My stand-by flight was booked for Dec. 8 and part of me hoped I wouldn't get on. But I did. And I was actually glad.
I love being in Canada in December. Because I absolutely love Christmas. For the music, the decorations, the love, the family gatherings, the parties, the food. It's the best excuse to get together and be merry. And by making it to Vancouver on the 8th, I was able to attend the first parties of the season by being my friend's plus-one at his work parties.
It kicked off the short visit to BC nicely. And after some time in the city, I finally drove to Squamish, my home base. I had 6 days in one place. 6 days to unpack then repack for the next step. 6 days to finish getting gifts for my family. 6 days to catch up with some of my favourite people in the world. And to squeeze in some final translation work and a beautiful hike.
6 days doesn't seem like much, but it was way longer (and more relaxing) than some of my previous 2-day visits. So I did something that future Jess will be very happy with. I unpacked most of my bags from my storage unit, reorganized everything, and restored it more logically, taking note of what I would need in the new year. It had been over a year since I had started making a mess of my original organized storage. And it had slowly been driving me insane.
I took the red-eye flight to Toronto on Dec 17 and continued on to Quebec City the following morning. It was nice to be there a few days before the holiday rush. I spent 4 days catching up with a good friend who welcomed me in her beautiful home. Then, on Dec 22, the family gatherings started and it was all a whirlwind until Dec 27.
My BC friends and I decided to organize a very last minute trip to Mexico. We all flew stand by at different times and met in Sayulita, where another friend has an apartment which was free for us to rent during the busy period. It was an awesome way to end the year. Surfing, beaches, a cacao and Temazcal ceremony, beach towns, lots of sun and good laughs with my BC family.
I ended the year partying on the beach and in the streets of Sayulita like I was in my twenties. Feeling young, happy, free, and ready to let go of 2023.
The year was full of traveling, very good quality time with friends and family, health and love. But it was also full of transitions, doubts and feelings of being lost. It was overall pretty good (and really shitty at the same time), and although I appreciate all that 2023 offered me, I am so ready for what 2024 will bring. 🖤
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