I stopped thinking of work as a place years ago. My office is a cafe in Lisbon, a coworking space in Bali, or a kitchen table in Berlin. The only constant is the laptop and a decent Wi-Fi connection. If your work lives in the cloud, your desk can be anywhere.
The Shift That Changed Everything
When my company went fully remote in 2022, I assumed it was temporary. Three years later, I have not set foot in a traditional office and I have never been more productive. The trick was not just being remote — it was learning to be intentional about where and how I work.
Essential Gear for the Road
Travel light, work heavy. My kit has been refined over dozens of trips: a 14-inch laptop, noise-cancelling headphones, a portable USB-C monitor for deep-focus days, and a travel router for unreliable hotel Wi-Fi. Everything fits in a 30-litre backpack. The monitor was the game-changer — suddenly cafe sessions felt like a real desk.
Finding the Right Workspace
Not every cafe is a good office. I look for three things: power outlets, stable Wi-Fi, and enough ambient noise to stay focused without getting distracted. Apps like Workfrom and Nomad List help, but honestly, the best spots are found by walking around a neighbourhood and trying places out. When I need silence, coworking day passes are almost always worth the ten to fifteen euros.
Time Zone Management
The hardest part of working anywhere is syncing with people who are not. I keep my calendar in UTC and use World Time Buddy obsessively. Morning meetings are non-negotiable blocks; the rest of the day is async. I have found that being two to three hours ahead of my team actually helps — I get deep work done before anyone pings me.
The Honest Downsides
It is not all sunset coworking sessions. Loneliness is real, especially in the first week of a new city. Reliable internet is never guaranteed. And context-switching between "explore mode" and "work mode" takes discipline. I solve the social side with coworking communities and the occasional coliving stay. The rest is just practice.