In recent times, discussions about the importance of balance in work and life have steadily increased. After being in our homes for over a year, we’re eager to leave and experience the world. However, it can be a daunting task when you have an all-time job that is at home. If you’re working 40 hours per week and desire to travel worldwide, I have good news that there’s an option! This year, I worked full-time and visited 10 countries simultaneously. Here are some ideas to follow if you’re planning to achieve similar.
Look Into Remote Work
In February last year, I transitioned to the remote worker role, and it was the best choice ever. My coworkers span the globe with workers in Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Texas, and South Korea. It is possible to work from any location. The only requirement is that we keep West Coast hours. Being a night shifter, this was a great option as I could work from anywhere in Europe in countries with the same time difference. I worked in Ireland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, and Portugal.
My hours on the West Coast are from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. in the evenings, and I’d work between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. until two a.m. and 3 a.m. Since my work day started at night, I used the daytime to travel around the countries I was visiting. Be aware that I did everything on a minimal amount of sleep (usually about six or seven hours each night), but it was worth it. My days would start at 10 a.m., providing me with a solid time of seven to eight hours to wander around before I had to finish my work.
Research Digital Nomad Visas Around the World
I was astonished when a close friend with a passion for digital travel emailed me the list of the countries that offer digital nomad visas for generally up to one year, with the option to renew. This visa is an excellent opportunity to travel the world, particularly when you’re American. U.S. citizens can usually only stay up to 90 days in any country before they must leave. However, having a visa to countries such as Costa Rica, Germany, Indonesia, Portugal, and other countries means you can take an airplane or train to different countries over weekends to discover additional destinations. Each nation has various requirements; therefore, it is essential to study them. It could be an ideal method to explore the world and work all day long.
Get the Most Out of Your Vacation Days
Getting that remote job seems elusive if you don’t want to become an online nomad. You might have a job where you must work every few days or even daily. But don’t worry, we’ll deal with it!
Many companies offer employees an average of 10 days of vacation every year. The method is to use the corporate holidays and spread your vacation days throughout the year to maximize your time off and give you the chance to travel. This is the way I’d break it down into the entire calendar year:
February: Take one day off before President’s Day weekend for a four-day holiday. It could be a fantastic opportunity to visit a local area or other cities in the U.S., such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, or San Diego.
May use one holiday day before Memorial Day Weekend for another four-day holiday. The year I was in, I took this weekend to visit Guadalajara, Mexico, and it was amazing!
July: Make use of one holiday day before the 4th of July weekend to take a four-day holiday. Consider a trip to Central or South America. With just a 4- to 7-hour travel time to most destinations, it is possible to have an entire 3.5 days of fun somewhere!
September: Use one vacation day before Memorial Day weekend. My preference is Canada. If you’re located on the West Coast, this is the perfect time to visit Vancouver/Vancouver. Toronto is always a great time to see if you’re located on the eastern coast.
November, typically, it is recommended to have at least two working days of vacation for Thanksgiving and the day after. You may take advantage of three or two of your vacation days here. If you take 3 days of vacation, you’ll have eight total days of journey across South America, Europe, or Asia. I went on an eight-day trip to London in November 2021. It was like seeing the entirety of London. I also went to Bali, Indonesia, and made the most of my time in Ubud and Sanur.
December December is the time of year you’ll want to enjoy the most days. At least three or four vacation days should be left, and some firms won’t resume work until after New Year’s Eve. This means that you should have two weeks in the United States, and you’ll be able to travel further away, such as Australia (known for its summer in cold winter), as well as Africa. I’ve spent Christmas throughout the many years traveling to Japan, Colombia, and Scandinavia.
Jan. When you are at the end of your holiday break, and you have a little time to relax, you could take an excursion this weekend during MLK’s holiday. It will be one of the first holiday days of the year, and you should start the year with a bang! It’s also the perfect opportunity to give back to the community that you’re visiting.
I believe that where there’s a desire, there’s a way. There are many ways to travel the world working full-time, and if you have a little more imagination, I wish you the best of luck! Take a trip and have as much fun as I have!
