How To Travel Solo Well

Some people don't like to be alone, but others do. I'm happy to just be in my own company, even when I travel. You don't have to answer to anyone, you can sleep in late every day, you can eat in for dinner in your pajamas if you want. Solo travel is liberating and you should do it at least once in your life. If you're on the fence, here are a few ways to make it easier:

Know the language

If you don't know a language other than English, that's okay. There are plenty of places you can travel and still feel at ease if you aren't adventurous enough to learn on the fly. England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Belize and the Bahamas are all fantastic destinations, but France and Amsterdam also have tons of English speakers if you want to branch out.

Plan your trip 

While you will probably want to make some decisions when you arrive, don't leave the big things to chance. Plan the skeleton of your vacation - accommodations, transportation to/from airport, transportation around town, tours, etc. - before you leave home, so there aren't any big surprises. Do your homework and put a list of important addresses and phone numbers either in your phone or on a cloud-based service like Evernote or Dropbox, that way you always have a way to access them.

Talk to locals 

Your trip might be really boring if you never talk to anyone. Hit up friends on social media who live where you're going to see if you can get together. Use MeetUp.com to find other travelers or locals that meet to do things, like dining and hiking. And if you just want to talk to people without hanging out with them, hit up a local farmers' market.

Stay safe

Don't scare your mom by becoming a missing person. Book your accommodations and group tours in advance, arrive during the daytime, have a plan for getting around, don't get drunk in the bar with strangers, share your itinerary with your friends/family (solo travel is best when it is planned out as much as possible), check in every few days, and keep your itinerary online - TripIt is a good app - along with a copy of your ID and passport if you're going out of the country and need it in case of robbery.

Have fun! 

Eat at that food cart that catches your eye, go to that museum nobody else would like, take a cooking class, sit at a sidewalk café drinking coffee and people watching.

The world is your oyster, and you can see as much as you want when you don't have a travel partner that you have to compromise with and make happy. Maybe you'll find you love traveling alone, or maybe it'll show how much you take your usual travel companion for granted, but it's nice to connect with yourself while exploring a new destination.

What are your favorite places to travel solo to?

How To Survive Travel With Other People

I don't like people 24/7. And you don't have to either. Travel can be stressful, even if it doesn't feel like it at the time. Just because you're having fun doesn't mean other things aren't happening underneath the surface. I've been on lots of vacations that seemed cool until one day I just burst into tears. It's hard to be with people around the clock. 

Whether you're traveling with only one person or several, it's not hard to find yourself snapping. Let's talk about how to deal with living in someone's pocket while on vacation.

Plan Together

Traveling is better when you do things you want to do. Planning ahead for things that sound fun can make your trip a whole lot more fun and less stressful than doing things on the fly. Ask your companion(s) what they would like to do, so you everyone is happy and you don't resent each other.

Compromise

You can't always find things that makes everyone 100% happy, which means you may have to compromise. You don't want to be mad that the others don't want to do any of the activities that you want to do and vice versa. Compromise is the key to a smoother trip for everyone.

Maybe you don't want to go parasailing, but your companion doesn't want to go hiking, and you each compromise by doing both activities, so no fighting happens. You'll both be happy with your chosen activity and might find you even enjoy the other one. Hopefully, you can find a majority of activities that you both/all want to do.

Don't Forget to Eat

I get hangry. I know it. If I wait too long to eat, I get mean and yell and threaten bodily harm to those around me. Luckily, my husband knows this and will steer me into a café or something when I start to get hungry and irritable. I also know that he doesn't always get hungry while we're out, so I do t ask him where he wants to eat, so he doesn't get angry at me in turn.

Knowing your limits and those of others can really help you to get along with each other and travel better together. Maybe have an honest talk before you take your trip and let each other know about your quirks, so neither of you are blindsided by the other.

Give Yourself Some Space

I like to get a vacation rental whenever possible, because it generally will give you a little more room to spread out. As an only child, and an introvert, I relish my alone time. Being around people for long periods can be exhausting. Even if I can just go sit in another room for a bit (or at the table on my laptop doing a bit of work), it's enough to recharge me. A lot of people don't know this or don't really think about it.

Self care is important. Even if you just go do some shopping alone for an hour or sit in the hotel lobby with a book, it's better than having to be around your travel partner longer when you need to be alone. I'm the worst morning person and being able to have 30 minutes to just wake up and read news or play a game on my phone without being talked to goes a long way to making my day start off right. That, and coffee. It's hard to say "please don't talk to me right now" in the moment, but easy to let someone know ahead of time that you need that quiet time.

It's okay to not be "on" 24/7 and to need a few minutes alone and to maybe even do your own thing for a day. Whatever works for you can't be faulted by anyone else. When I booked a girl's trip with my friend to Disney, we already had some ground rules established before leaving. Not doing so ahead of time can can actually ruin a friendship/relationship, which you don't want at all. Communication, just like in most things, is very important.

How do you survive travel with others?

How To "Work From Home" From Anywhere In 20 Easy Steps

There are many different names for the work-from-home lifestyle – digital nomad, remote worker, telecommuter. But they all describe people who can do their job without having to go into an office. For some people, this means being able to work from anywhere in the world as long as they have a laptop and an internet connection. For others, it might mean working a few hours each day from home while taking care of their children or doing other household tasks.

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No matter how you define it, the work-from-home lifestyle is becoming more popular every year. There are many reasons why people choose to work from home. Some want more flexibility in their schedule so they can spend more time with their families. Others want to avoid the stress and noise of a traditional office. And still, others want to be able to travel the world while they work.

Whatever your reasons, here are ten steps for how to live the work from home lifestyle:

Steps 1-10

1. Figure out what you need to make it work.

Before you can start working from home, you need to figure out what you need to make it happen. Do you need a designated workspace at home? A good internet connection? Enough money saved up so you can afford not to work for a while?

Once you know what you need, start putting together a plan to make it happen. If you need a new computer or a better internet connection, start saving up for them. If you need to find a new job that allows telecommuting, start researching your options.

2. Make a schedule and stick to it.

One of the benefits of working from home is that you can set your own hours. But that doesn’t mean you should work all the time. Just like in a traditional office, it’s important to take breaks and get some exercise.

Set a schedule for yourself and try to stick to it as closely as possible. That way, you can avoid the distractions that come with working from home and stay productive.

3. Create a workspace.

If you’re going to be working from home, you need a designated workspace. This could be a separate room in your house or an area in your living room that you can call your own.

Make sure your workspace is organized and has everything you need, including a good internet connection, a comfortable chair, and plenty of storage for your files and materials.

4. Stay connected.

One of the challenges of working from home is staying connected to your team or boss. Make sure you have a good internet connection and set up regular video conferencing calls or chat sessions to keep in touch.

5. Get dressed for work.

Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you can wear pajamas all day. In fact, it’s a good idea to dress like you would for a traditional job. That way, you’ll feel more productive and professional.

6. Stay organized.

Working from home can be chaotic if you don’t stay organized. Make sure you have a system for filing your papers and organizing your files. You might also want to create a calendar to keep track of your deadlines and appointments.

7. Set boundaries.

One of the challenges of working from home is resisting the temptation to work all the time. Make sure you set boundaries for yourself and stick to them. That way, you can make sure you have enough time for your family and friends, as well as your work.

8. Take breaks.

Just like in a traditional office, it’s important to take breaks when you’re working from home. Get up and move around every hour or so, and take a break for lunch. That way, you’ll stay productive and avoid getting burned out.

9. Stay connected to the outside world.

Working from home can be isolating, so it’s important to stay connected to the outside world. Join a book club or a fitness class, or meet up with friends for coffee or dinner once a week. That way, you’ll stay social and sane.

10. Embrace flexibility.

The best thing about working from home is the flexibility it offers. You can work when you want, take a break when you need it, and travel whenever you have the chance. Embrace the freedom and flexibility that comes with this lifestyle, and you’ll be happy you made the switch.

So there you have it! Ten easy steps for how to live the work-from-home lifestyle. Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to successfully transition to this new way of working.

Now we move on to steps 11 through 20 for how to live the work-from-home lifestyle, focusing more on the digital nomad side of things.

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Steps 11-20

11. Choose your travel destination wisely.

Not all countries are created equal when it comes to being a digital nomad. You’ll want to find a place that has good internet connectivity, affordable living costs, and plenty of things to keep you busy. Some popular choices include Thailand, Spain, and Portugal. You can also keep it local and check out Breckenridge cabins for your home away from home!

12. Invest in a good laptop.

A quality laptop is essential for any digital nomad. Make sure you choose one that is powerful enough to handle all of your work tasks but also light enough that you can take it with you on the go.

13. Download some useful apps.

There are a number of helpful apps out there that can make life as a digital nomad a lot easier. Some of our favorites include Slack for communication, Google Drive for document storage, and Airbnb for finding accommodation.

14. Create a workable budget.

One of the most important things to do when becoming a digital nomad is to create a realistic budget and stick to it. This means factoring in all of your regular expenses, as well as the cost of living in your chosen destination.

15. Get yourself some decent travel insurance.

No one wants to think about the worst-case scenario, but it’s always a good idea to have travel insurance in place just in case something goes wrong. Make sure your policy covers all of the activities you plan on doing while abroad, such as skiing or diving.

16. Invest in some quality gear.

When you’re constantly on the go, it’s important to have quality gear that can withstand wear and tear. Make sure you have a good backpack, a sturdy laptop case, and weather-proof clothing for any extreme conditions.

17. Stay connected with loved ones back home.

Even though you’re living the nomad life, that doesn’t mean you have to be completely disconnected from your loved ones back home. Make sure you have a way to stay in touch, whether it’s through Skype, WhatsApp, or Facebook.

18. Create a work routine.

One of the benefits of being a digital nomad is that you can work from anywhere in the world. But this also means you need to be disciplined and create a work routine that suits you. Try to stick to the same hours each day, so you don’t get too distracted.

19. Explore your new surroundings.

As a digital nomad, one of the best things about your lifestyle is that you get to explore new places all the time. Make sure you take advantage of this and see as much as possible of your chosen destination.

20. Have fun!

Above all, remember to have fun and enjoy the journey! You’ve worked hard to achieve this lifestyle, so make the most of it. Live a little, try new things, and meet as many people as you can. The world is your oyster!

There You Have It

Twenty easy steps for living the work-from-home life from anywhere in the world. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to a more adventurous and fulfilling lifestyle. Bon, voyage!