An honest look at remote work: personal freelance experience, real pros and cons, motivation, routines, and practical rules – without illusions or hype.
No rose-colored glasses, no beach laptops, no fairy tales
I’ve been working remotely for over five years now.
No, I’m not a developer with three monitors and a standing desk. I run and manage several websites, maintain a travel blog, handle SEO, social media, and deal with advertisers. In simple terms, I do what in a traditional office would usually be split between several people.
The main difference is simple: I decide what to work on, when to work, and why I even open my laptop today. No daily stand-ups, no “quick syncs,” no meetings that could’ve been emails.
For about a year, I also worked remotely in the same role I previously had in an office – financial planning, payments, and company operations. They didn’t want to let me go, so remote work slowly turned into a long, stretched-out resignation. On paper I was still “there”, but mentally I had already moved on.
Switching to freelance life wasn’t easy or instant. Looking back, I honestly wonder why I didn’t do it earlier – even with a temporary drop in income.
What I Expected
Like most people, I had a pretty picture in my head:
– flexible schedule;
– working when it suits me, not my boss;
– passive income (obviously “significant”);
– more creativity, less routine;
– no commuting;
– travel anytime, anywhere, without limits;
– plenty of time for friends and real life.
For many, remote work doesn’t look like work at all – it looks like a dream.
What Was Actually Required
Reality, as usual, had other plans:
– launching a website in a topic you truly understand and care about;
– building online income streams from scratch;
– having a financial buffer for at least 6–9 months.
I didn’t have that buffer.
I didn’t own rental property either.
My safety net was my salary: I kept working remotely for my former company while developing LifeIsTravel. That phase lasted just over a year, until the project started generating income.
What Really Happened
✔ I stopped wasting time commuting. Morning traffic was replaced with proper coffee.
✔ I had to learn time management – otherwise remote work quickly turns into chaos.
✔ I started traveling more, and after two years my income exceeded my office salary.
❌ Routine didn’t disappear – it just changed its shape.
❌ I still want more creative time than 2–3 hours a day.
❌ Work slowly filled almost all my time. No weekends. That was unexpected, but manageable.
The upside: we started traveling much more. Last year alone included nearly monthly trips. Only two were press tours – everything else was paid for ourselves, without influencer fairy tales.
Over time, my schedule stabilized. Instead of 12–14 hours a day, I now work around 5–7 hours. When traveling, it’s usually 3–4 hours, including emails, calls, and consultations.
Motivation
Remote work without motivation simply doesn’t work.
Motivation is first gear – without it, the car doesn’t move.
My main motivation was income. I clearly remember the days when every dollar earned online felt like a victory.
Over time, something else became equally important: being useful. Work should bring not only money but also the feeling that you’re genuinely helping people. Today, that matters to me even more than numbers.
We truly value feedback – whether it’s visa-related cases or helping people plan individual trips. Every successful outcome feels better than another payment notification.
Rules That Help Me Work Remotely
This article exists mainly because of these rules.
- Planning
I must know exactly what I’ll do in the morning. It doesn’t matter whether my morning starts at 7 a.m. or noon.
I try not to go to bed without a clear plan for the first half of the next day. Mornings are for writing, complex tasks, and urgent cases. Without a plan, the most productive hours disappear.
- Routine
In the morning, I basically don’t exist.
Messengers are off, social media is closed, distractions are minimized. If my wife and kids are at home, I’m unavailable until around noon. After that, the day shifts into a softer “semi-office” mode: calls, meetings, consultations. Evenings are for technical or low-brain tasks.
- Food
A hungry person works badly.
I don’t want to think about what or where to eat. My wife helps a lot here. If I lived alone, I’d order food or cook in advance. My brain should focus on work, not on the fridge.
- Workspace
Your workspace should feel right. You spend half your life there.
At home, it’s my favorite spot. While traveling, I still aim for comfort. I don’t work in airports, cafés, or on the beach. It looks great on Instagram, but it’s inefficient in real life.
- Single-task Focus
One day – one direction.
If it’s a website day, it’s only that website. If it’s learning, it’s learning. Better one focused day than constant multitasking that leads nowhere.
- Daily Activity
Movement is mandatory. Every single day.
No health – no remote work, especially creative work. Cycling, walking, running, gardening – it doesn’t matter. Your body needs movement to keep your brain working.
Final Thoughts
Remote work is not a fairy tale and not a permanent vacation.
It’s simply another form of responsibility – where your boss is always nearby. And that boss is you.
FAQ – About Remote Work
❓ Is remote work freedom or working 24/7?
Both. You gain freedom, but you must draw boundaries yourself – no one will do it for you.
❓ Do you need financial savings to start?
Yes. Ideally 6–9 months. Without it, combining remote work with a regular job is much safer.
❓ Can you travel and work at the same time?
Yes, but not in “beach laptop” mode. Realistically – 3–4 working hours from a comfortable place.
❓ Does remote work reduce routine?
No. Routine doesn’t disappear – it changes form. Fewer meetings, more emails and deadlines.
❓ How many hours a day are actually productive?
About 5–7 quality hours. Everything beyond that is usually fake productivity.
❓ Is a dedicated workspace necessary?
Highly recommended. Your brain needs to know where work ends and life begins.
❓ What’s the hardest part of remote work?
Self-discipline. When you’re your own boss, excuses stop working.
❓ Is remote work suitable for everyone?
No. If you need structure and external control, office work may be a better fit.
❓ Can you earn more than in an office?
Yes. But not immediately – and definitely not without mistakes.
Useful links:
- Hotel Booking — Booking.com
- Flight tickets — Aviasales
- Car rental — Local Rent
- Travel insurance — Hotline Finance
