I’m in Trinidad right now, after spending two weeks in New York and before that, I was in Trinidad for two months. Then before that was Jamaica, Florida, Atlanta, Washington DC, New York, London and Kuala Lumpur.
This has been next-level digital nomadism for me, in the 11 years of giving up my office for my then interactive agency, Dutchpot Interactive. This has been the most travel movement in a year in all the years I’ve been living and doing business like this. I’ve always had a base in Jamaica and then I’d travel to speak, produce events, go visit friends or travel for fun with my then partners. This past year though, having given up my physical base in Jamaica as I live this year-long self-imposed radical sabbatical, has meant that digital nomadism on steroids for me.
I started out changing locations every week, thanks to friends being so welcoming to me and speaking engagements. While that was initially exciting, it quickly became tiring and disruptive to my mind and body. So I decided that every time I changed a location, it would be a minimum stay of 2 weeks but ideally, one month was pretty good. Why? It allowed me time to acclimatize to where I was at the time- the weather, food, neighbourhood, bed, and most importantly it allowed my mind and body to be in a rhythm that still enabled me to roll out a daily flow that was good for me.
Having observed myself these past 11 months, I realise that I need anywhere from 3days to 1 week to truly relax into a new space and this is the case regardless of whether I am staying with friends, in an Airbnb (I’ve done this only once) or hotel (when booked to speak or produce an event). It’s just a mind and body thing for me.
And I have to constantly remind myself of the rhythm I’ve created :
Meditate – As I wake up, I do this for at least 20mins and when I feel the need it can be double that time. I don’t stop until I feel relaxed and aligned.
Move– this could be a gym visit, ashtanga yoga for 20mins or just a round of Abs for 15mins. And failing this and at times most times including this I seek to walk as often and long every day, at least for an hour. Another reason my New York is winning as the new home base for me.
Munch– My morning munch which will vary depending on whether I am in a round of intermittent fasting or not. But that’s typically a Hemp Protein Shake or a Veggies stuffed omelet. On weekends an awesome brunch is always an option.
Make Money-Yeah I am supposed to be putting in the work doing more of what I love to do. Plus I am now both focused on doing an annual Caribbean Women in Tech Summit starting in 2020. Plus, I am doing offering my Digital Strategist, Event Producer, Podcaster expertise helping Cannabis Brands build their Business.
Mingle – I’m an extrovert so I need a daily dose of people energy, seriously. Plus I love networking, going out and meeting new people, attending events and as a single gal currently, I love meeting great people to date.
The fact is though, I love where my life is now and where it’s headed regardless of the daily challenges. In fact for the most part, I remain open to them and thankfully I am now in a place of surrender and asking, what is this situation/person/ is meant to teach me and what does the Abundant Universe want me to do next. And I stop, listen, trust ( most times because I am not perfect) then act.
The one thing that I smile about daily, is that I’m really grateful that I get to do this, to live life on my own terms.