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Digital Nomad: My next chapter

The Next Chapter Begins

I’m writing this from 30,000 feet ✈️, somewhere between Los Angeles and Zurich, en route to Porto. This moment—this exact moment—is one I’ve been working toward for a couple of years. And yet, now that it’s here, it feels both thrilling and a little nerve-wracking, a strange mix of excitement and uncertainty.

My current view:

This past weekend was spent with my daughter ❤️, soaking up every moment. Sunday morning, I dropped off my last few belongings at self-storage 📦 and handed back my Tesla lease. That night, I spent one final night in the house we’ve called home for 15 years. The house where my kids, now 19 and 22, grew up. The house that was the center of so much life and love.

I stood in my empty home office and bedroom, not overcome with nostalgia but aware of the significance of the moment. Sitting outside in the garden, feeling the sun on my face ☀️, I reflected on what was ending and what was beginning. I don’t think I’ve fully processed it yet. There’s a nervous energy in the pit of my stomach, but also an undeniable excitement about what’s ahead.

In a way, I’m now sort of homeless—no fixed base, no permanent address—but I have a place in Porto I can return to. Still, home isn’t a location anymore. I don’t know exactly what it will mean for me going forward, but I think it will be about the people I spend time with—family, old friends, and the new connections I’ll make along the way.

The future is wide open, and I’m embracing it.

 

What’s Next?

Over the next few months, my life will be a mix of work, adventure and deep connections 🌍. In just three weeks, my daughter is joining me in Portugal, followed by a close friend with whom I’ll hike part of the Camino trail 🥾.

After that, I’ll be back in LA (in an Airbnb) for three weeks to spend time with my kids and celebrate my daughter’s graduation 🎓. Then, likely off to a Digital Nomad conference before heading to the UK 🇬🇧 to celebrate my birthday🎂 with my kids, family, and friends.

And after that? Two weeks of European travel with my son—including showing him Porto for the first time!

 

The Mindset Going Forward

I’m trying not to over-plan. I want to stay present, meet new people, embrace new experiences, and go with the flow as much as possible. A year ago, this was just an idea, a dream. Today, it’s real—and that’s both scary and exhilarating.

✔️ Live in the moment
✔️ Enjoy life
✔️ Take care of myself 💪
✔️ HAVE FUN! (And, of course, still work 🤣)

A year ago, this was just an idea. Today, it’s my reality.

I also recognize that change doesn’t just happen on its own—we have to make it happen. I hear so many people talk about wanting something different, yet they stay in the same place. The truth is, we are responsible for making the shifts we desire. It takes action, not just intention, to create the life we want.

✨ Embrace the change – Embrace life – Go with the flow! ✨

More updates to come…

Becoming a Digital Nomad: My Journey

Recently, I embraced a lifestyle that merges my love for new experiences with the freedom of remote work: becoming a digital nomad. Unlike the whirlwind travel often associated with the term, I’m drawn to spending a few months in places I genuinely enjoy, with people I want to be around, rather than just passing through. This approach allows me to experience new settings deeply, while my remote businesses offer the perfect flexibility to make it all possible.

What is a Digital Nomad?
ChatGPT defines a digital nomad as follows:
“A digital nomad is an individual who uses technology, particularly the internet, to work remotely while traveling or living in various locations. Digital nomads typically perform their work online, allowing them the flexibility to choose where they live or travel. They may work as freelancers, entrepreneurs, or remote employees, often moving between cities or countries. The lifestyle is characterized by the ability to combine work and travel, without being tied to a fixed office or location.”

This freedom to blend work and travel perfectly captures the core of my own journey. My fully remote businesses allow me the flexibility to work from anywhere, and I’m thrilled to spend extended time in different places—creating meaningful experiences while staying professionally engaged.


A Home Away from Home: Portugal
Portugal has quickly become a personal favorite, blending the beauty of European culture with the lifestyle I seek as a digital nomad. I’m currently on my second extended stay here this year, and each experience reaffirms my choice to make Portugal a more permanent part of my yearly routine. In fact, I’m planning to spend about five months here next year—an extended stay that offers a balance between immersion and stability.


Navigating Challenges and Staying Connected
One of the biggest adjustments will be being away from my kids. It’s something I’ll have to adapt to, but I plan to return to the U.S. regularly to visit, and hopefully, they’ll come to visit me in some of the exciting places I’m exploring. I see 2025 as a transition year—one that will help me settle into this lifestyle, and by 2026, I expect it to feel more natural as I fully embrace the digital nomad experience.


The Thrill of New Connections and Discoveries
For me, the real excitement of the digital nomad lifestyle lies in meeting new people and exploring places I’ve never been before. Each new location brings fresh perspectives, connections, and experiences that enrich both my personal and professional life. This lifestyle lets me immerse myself in different cultures, making every trip a unique chapter in my journey.

More to follow as the journey progresses…

I’ve Worked Remotely For Over Ten Years, and I Plan For 10 More

When I moved to the US in 2010, I found myself in a different country from my businesses. That’s when I decided to transition to remote work, and it’s been a fascinating journey ever since. Back then, the tools for remote working weren’t exactly ideal – Zoom didn’t even exist yet – but I made it work and learned a lot along the way.

Since 2012, all my businesses have been fully remote, and I quickly discovered there was no blueprint for managing remote teams. I made plenty of mistakes but learned valuable lessons in how to lead from afar effectively and motivate people to perform. Fast-forward to 2020, and the COVID pandemic helped push remote work into the mainstream, with the tools becoming far more sophisticated.

As an empty nester with both children at university, I’m excited to enter a new chapter. I’m asking myself, “Why not work from places I want to be?” Whether it’s Portugal or Costa Rica, I can work just as easily from the opposite side of the world as I can from home. I’ll just miss my large screen!

For anyone considering the remote work lifestyle, my biggest advice is to find the balance. You don’t need the office environment, you just need a routine that allows you to stay in the work mindset when you need to and enjoy the world when you don’t.

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