The Life of a Digital Nomad: Prioritizing Work

In May, I finished a month-long housesit, tried out a possible new crash pad, signed a new contract and had my first ever in-person work retreat.

The first half of the month was somewhat uneventful, giving me the stability to get ready for what was to come, and giving me space and energy to focus on work. I finished my housesit ready for the next adventure.

I had signed a short contract back in March, which got renewed and extended until the end of the year, providing much needed financial stability. And I signed that contract as an employee. Please put me on payroll! I was so tired of the consulting world, so tired of being responsible for my own sick days and taxes and vacation allowance. I wanted a break from the responsibility, at least for a while.

About a week or two after negotiating my extended contract, I was offered a 50% workload increase (salary to match, of course). I was delighted! Working two days a week with that amazing team had left me wanting more. I no longer craved the free time to explore personal projects, I wanted to spend more time working with a passionate team, making Canada a better place.

Beautiful spot for a retreat

As life will have it though, it is around that time that I had to make up my mind about a summer adventure: an incredible opportunity to housesit in Switzerland. I was contacted on the Trusted Housesitters app (contact me if you want to sign up and get a 25% discount!) by a beautiful family who had found my profile to be perfect for their home and dog, in a picturesque Swiss village. The dream!

I could find ways to travel there and back for an affordable cost, but I did not want such an adventure to hinder my work. I was ready to give it up if it meant losing my contract (everyone in that team works within Canada...). Thankfully, I didn't have to give up anything and I was granted an exception to work from Switzerland for the month of July, with some adjustments to my schedule.

I even fitted a week's paid vacation in there! But more on that on the next post...

Waking up on top of a mountain, above the clouds

The cherry on top was probably being invited to the in-person team retreat. It was close to my home base, and although I had to change some plans to make it, it was totally worth it. In-person connection really brings a team together.

With my previous team, we had talked about all meeting up so many times throughout the years. It had never happened, and perhaps it was never going to. So, in some ways, I am better off now.

After my housesit, I squeezed in the first backcountry camping trip of the year with some girlfriends and then headed back to my winter haven. I had started building a new community there and it felt good to be back. There's still some details to sort out, but it looks like it will become my new home base, later this summer.

Overall, May ended up feeling a bit hectic, so of course, I finished it off in style, on May 31, with a flight to Montreal :)