I’ve been noticing quite a lot of stuff pop up on Facebook promoting laptop lifestyles and digital nomadic lifestyles. Which is all great – I personally think it’s a much better alternative than the 9-5 slog in a corporate office.
But there’s something that’s been making me feel really triggered by it.
I am only hearing about the highs.
I’m not hearing a lot about the challenges, fears and doubts, sacrifice, courage and hard work that is actually required to make this lifestyle a reality.
Just the good times and the easy parts.
And whilst I completely honour that that is their experience, this is not my reality.
I’ve had some incredible highs and some equally big lows since leaving Australia and moving to my new home in Tulum, Mexico.
I’ve pretty much had to adapt to a whole new way of living.
Before this, I was working in an air-conditioned office, reporting to a manager and working off a set agenda with a guaranteed wage.
I am my own boss now, and so I’ve had to learn to motivate myself to be productive despite the heat making me feel drained and wanting to sleep all the time.
Before, I was going to the gym or for a run almost every day and my fitness level was pretty good.
But the last thing I feel like doing in the tropical heat is going for a run. Now my exercise is dancing, swimming and some light yoga and stretching. I’ve really felt the difference in my strength and energy levels since doing less cardio and this is something else that I’m having to adapt to.
I don’t have AC in my house (not so fun in 31 degrees!) so I try to make the effort to put on some proper clothes and a bra and find an air-conditioned café so that I can actually get some work done.
My brain still feels like I’m in holiday mode and so I’ve had to re-program my brain to create structured days and discipline myself.
This part has been especially challenging for me. I have always had a love-hate relationship with structure. I hate it, but I need it. And you realise pretty quickly when you start working for yourself how vital structure is!
There are lots of days where I pinch myself. When I’m tuned into of all of the magic, opportunity, growth, connections, beauty, adventure and fun, that is now my life. Where I feel confident, clear and certain, and things just flow freely and easily.
There are also days where I wonder what the hell I’m doing! Days where I feel lost, uncertain, and everything feels like a major effort.
But it’s all part of the ride!
My point is that whatever you do in life, there are going to be challenges. There will always be good days and bad days – even when you are living your dream life.
For anyone who uses social media as a means to inspire people, I think we have a responsibility to show both sides of the coin.
And the truth is that it takes a lot of work on yourself to be able to make your dream life a reality. Working through your beliefs, mastering your emotions and developing your courage and trust.
It’s a lifelong process.
But it’s also an incredibly rewarding process.
I get to choose my own hours.
I can free up more time to do the things that I love.
I can make more money in less hours of work.
I am not tied down to a single location.
I don’t need to ask anyone for permission to take leave.
I feel genuinely proud of what I am doing and creating.
I get to transform lives and witness incredible shifts in the women I coach.
I am growing a lot, and I get to keep challenging myself and finding out what I am really made of.
And the best bit is that I can honestly say with my hand on my heart that I am doing what I want to be doing.
There is nothing to escape from – I am here and this is it!
Is it hard work? Yes. Is it all worth it? HELL YES!
The hardest work is living a life of regret.
I’d rather be complaining about the struggles of living the life of my dreams than to be complaining about a life I’m wishing to escape from.
Wouldn’t you?
X
