Challenges: Bali edition

After I started teaching online, the first thing I was dreaming about was an escape to Asia.  Yes, I considered challenges I may have, and I will tell you even more, a thought of solo traveling (agaain!) distressed me, but what could I do?

When I checked flight tickets (to any SEA country), I started to doubt my trip would be possible. But anyways, I set a beautiful palm trees wallpaper on my desktop, and began to work. ​I didn't even want to think about staying at home for the next couple of months. One day I was reading a travel blog (did you expect I was reading something different? :D),  where they mentioned low cost airlines from Berlin to Singapore. I surfed them. And you know what? I was amazed! 190€ one way. Whaaat?

That's how it brought me to Bali for the third time. Absolutely, I worked hard to make it happen.

On January 23rd I left home wearing winter clothes with words "never again!" China spoiled me so much that +8C is already too cold for me. Yes, I'm not joking! Only people, who lived in warm countries can understand it (of course, there are also those, who say "I miss snow!") When I landed in Singapore, I was the happiest person in the world!

I didn't book any accommodation in advance, since I had to check the internet connection–must have, if you work remotely.

Here's challenge #1: Technical issues

Island life=weak connection, electricity cut off, which can destroy all your plans. Luckily, the day when I arrived in Bali I met a guy, who recommended me a great place to stay for a cheap price, and the most important, with GOOD INTERNET!

Coworking in Canggu

The routine for the next month looked like: breakfast outside-a walk-lunch-work until midnight-sleep-repeat. Can you see any "swimming in the ocean and sunbathing" in this list? I was so naive to expect having more free time. So now you know the truth about "work in a paradise".

Challenge #2: Work-life balance You have to be super organized. Sometimes I wanna cry when I have a class instead of watching a sunset. But what to do..... There are digital nomads, who explore the island during the day and work at night. Can you manage your time well?

Challenge #3: Work and travel To visit a new city or country every week and work, you have to make sure you have reliable internet connection, workplace and plan your time in advance (obviously I can't have classes when I have a flight and the day after). During these 2 months I went to Malaysia and Lombok (an island in Indonesia, where I had the worst internet). If you want to travel, read #2 one more time.

Challenge #4 Budget You either have to spend less or work more. What would you choose? But I wish you to have enough savings for traveling, and forget about work :)

Challenge #5 Motivation

You may hang out on a sofa, have plenty of distructions, constant walks to a kitchen, but ask yourself what do you need: colleagues or webinars in zoom? late breakfasts or stable schedule? If you decide to try freelance, focus on WHY YOU DO WHAT YOU DO, set your own daily routine, and enjoy, 'cause there are so many people, who dream to be independent.

For me this trip is kind of an experiment whether I could do it. I always wanted to see what lies behind these "work at a swimming pool" pictures. Now I'm at the backstage. Drinking mango smoothie, enjoying the sunshine, smiling. If you were here, I would tell you-there's nothing permanent in life, there will always be challenges, but if you can make even a little change for better you have in your mind, DO IT! Because it's worth it!