In between emails + lines-ups: how to balance remote working & waves?
A few tricks to keep you on track and help you score a few whilst keeping your sanity intact.
Remote working is all about freedom from your boss’s gaze and painting nails before meetings, but social media forgets to portray a big chunk of what it feels like to work on your own: how easy it is to get sidetracked, feeling lonely, and in the shoes of an impostor.
There’s another side to this story I want to open up about—mental health and remote work, specifically in the realm of eating disorders and body image struggles. But before diving into that heavier topic (which I’ll save for a future post), I want to share some of the routines and hacks that help me navigate the nomadic lifestyle when the glam wears off.
I love to travel—bonus points for having a Sagittarius sun—but I’ve learned that the work-to-surf routine, while dreamy in theory, can leave me completely burnt out. Especially during the hectic build-up to a travel day or while adjusting to a new location. So, here are a few things I try to stick to that help me find some rhythm (or at least keep me from feeling like I’m about to drown).
To-dos before you go
Map out your basics: Pin down a couple of grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience shops in your map app. Check their opening hours in advance.
Download food delivery apps: In Brazil, for example, everything gets delivered—by mototaxi, no less—almost anytime. Try apps like Rappi, iFood, and UberEats. They go beyond takeaway: you can get groceries, pharmacy items, even bubble wrap for packing your surfboard four hours before your flight (yes, I’ve done that).
Confirm accommodation details: If you're staying at a hotel or hostel, have all the relevant info saved—address, emergency contacts, airport pick-up details—and share these with a friend or family member. Safety isn’t extra; it’s essential.
Power & Wi-Fi: Bring the right power adaptors (take more than one!), charge all devices beforehand, and carry a power bank. Ask for a Wi-Fi speed test before you book a place—it matters.
Get a SIM card: Buy one at the airport or install an eSIM before arrival. Having plenty of data will help if you need to hotspot or work from a café during your first days.
Golden tip: Always pack your work gear and two days’ worth of clothes in your carry-on. I learned this the hard way when my luggage got stranded in London en route to Rio last December.
Day-to-day tricks that keep me sane
Give yourself time to settle: Take a few days off when you arrive somewhere new. Explore, go check the surf breaks, tides, talk to local surfers. Build a sense of familiarity and safety.
Meal prep (even a little): It doesn’t have to be complicated. I like to keep cooked protein, salad, avocado, and bread ready to go. Ideal for post-work surf or those last-light sessions.
Power lunch breaks: Use your breaks intentionally. When I was on a 6am–2pm shift (to match UK hours) in Brazil, my 10am run was the sweet spot—cool weather, empty streets, mood boost. Running, walking, or surfing during the break does wonders for my head.
Know your daily mood boosters: Being a morning person, my eagerness to work tends to be high in the first hours. Hence, I get myself set up with a nice coffee, morning walk before work, chocolate banana pancakes, lo-fi beats on Spotify, and a quiet workspace with no direct sunlight. When I start to slack off in the arvo, I get myself to a co-working space/ nice local café with decent Wi-Fi to power me through those long after-lunch hours. Know your tricks!
Clock off on time: Don’t just close the laptop—create a ritual. I change the music and am already dressed to leave the house when my shift ends. If the surf is good, I’m out the door. If it’s not, I’ll go for a hike, swim, gym class, or a sunset bike ride. It turns post-work hours into a whole new "day."
Be prepared to navigate your way around triggers
Like I mentioned earlier, there’s a side of this remote lifestyle that’s harder to talk about—but really important to me. I’ve had a long relationship with eating disorders and body dysmorphia, and working remotely, especially while travelling, can intensify those struggles. A few things I’ve learned to live with as a remote worker and traveller:
Isolation and loneliness;
Feeling off-track, low work drive;
Lack of structure, and being pulled in many directions;
Impostor syndrome;
Mental health struggles;
(constantly checking the surf forecast, and doing 0 work — oops)
Remote work and mental health don’t always go hand in hand, but you’re definitely not alone. There’ll be days (maybe lots of them) when all the tough stuff creeps in at once.
Try to notice those feelings early and meet them with some kindness. Talk to someone. Go for a walk. Take a proper screen break.
Small steps help more than you think.
Whether you work from home or across time zones, I hope this helped spark some ideas—or at least reminded you that you’re not alone if it doesn’t always feel like a dream.
What does your remote working routine look like? What keeps you grounded—or throws you off? Share your wins and struggles with us in the comments.
See you out there! Ines x
