Hey friend,
I’m sitting here in a tiny café in Lisbon, sipping a flat white that’s just a little too bitter, with my laptop open and a notebook full of scribbles. Outside, the sun is golden, and the cobblestones are still wet from the morning rain. This is my office today. Tomorrow, it might be a co-working space in Barcelona or a park bench in Chiang Mai. And honestly? It took me a long time to admit that this life—the one I dreamed about for years—sometimes feels like a beautiful, chaotic mess.
But here’s the thing: I’ve learned that the secret isn’t in having the perfect location or the most Instagrammable workspace. It’s in the small, intentional choices I make every day to stay grounded. Today, I want to share what I’ve discovered about minimalist living, digital nomad life, and the self-care routines that actually keep me sane. Grab your coffee (or tea, no judgment), and let’s get real.
Why I Let Go of Half My Stuff (And Kept the Rest in a Backpack)
I remember the day I packed up my apartment in Seattle. I had a three-bedroom place filled with furniture I’d collected over a decade—a vintage armchair from a thrift store, a bookshelf I built myself, and more kitchen gadgets than a small restaurant. When I decided to become a digital nomad, I had to face a hard truth: I couldn’t take it all. I had to choose what mattered.
So I sold, donated, or gave away about 80% of my belongings. It was terrifying at first. I kept thinking, “What if I need that blender? What if I miss that lamp?” But you know what happened? I didn’t miss any of it. What I did miss was the feeling of being weighed down. Now, my entire life fits into a 40-liter backpack and a small carry-on. And it’s not just about the stuff—it’s about the mental space. When I have fewer things to manage, I have more energy for the things that actually make me happy: writing, exploring, and connecting with people.
One of my favorite minimalist practices is the “one in, one out” rule. If I buy a new scarf in a market in Marrakech, I donate one I already have. It’s not about deprivation; it’s about being mindful. I ask myself, “Does this add value to my life, or is it just filling a void?” And honestly, most of the time, the answer is no.
My Digital Nomad Self-Care Routine (That Actually Fits in a Backpack)
Let’s talk about self-care, because the “self-care” I see on social media—bubble baths, face masks, and fancy candles—is not always realistic when you’re hopping between hostels and Airbnbs. My version of self-care is simpler and way more practical.
I have a non-negotiable morning routine, even when I’m in a new time zone. It takes exactly 15 minutes:
- Five minutes of deep breathing: I sit on the floor (or the edge of my bed if the floor is cold) and just breathe. In for four counts, out for six. It calms my nervous system, especially when I’m feeling anxious about work or travel.
- Five minutes of journaling: I write down one thing I’m grateful for and one intention for the day. It’s not fancy—just a cheap notebook and a pen. But it keeps me grounded.
- Five minutes of stretching: I do a few simple yoga poses—cat-cow, forward fold, and a gentle twist. It helps my body after sleeping on different mattresses every week.
I also have a “digital sunset” rule. At least an hour before bed, I put my phone on airplane mode and read a physical book. I know, I know—it sounds old-fashioned. But I’ve noticed that when I don’t scroll through Instagram right before sleep, I wake up feeling more rested and less anxious about everyone else’s highlight reels.
And here’s a little secret: I allow myself one “lazy day” every week. No work, no planning, no guilt. I just wander, eat whatever I want, and nap. It’s the best form of self-care I’ve found, and it doesn’t cost a thing.
Work-Life Balance When Your Office Is Everywhere (and Nowhere)
This is the hardest part, and I’m still figuring it out. When your work and your life happen in the same space—whether that’s a café, a co-working space, or a hammock in Bali—it’s so easy to blur the lines. I used to answer emails at midnight and feel like I was always “on.” It was exhausting.
So I created a simple system that changed everything. I set “office hours” for myself, even though I’m self-employed. From 9 AM to 1 PM, I’m in deep work mode—no social media, no personal calls. Then I take a real lunch break (not eating over my laptop). From 2 PM to 5 PM, I handle lighter tasks like emails and client calls. After 5 PM, my laptop goes into my backpack, and I don’t touch it until the next morning.
I also use a technique I call “the 80% rule.” I don’t try to be perfect. If I finish a project at 80% quality, I let it go. That extra 20% takes twice as long and rarely makes a difference. This has saved me from burnout more times than I can count.
And when I feel the guilt creeping in—that voice that says I should be working more—I remind myself: I didn’t choose this lifestyle to work more. I chose it to live more. So I close my laptop, put on my sneakers, and go for a walk. The work will still be there tomorrow. The sunset won’t.
One last thing: I’ve stopped comparing my journey to others. I unfollowed accounts that made me feel like I wasn’t doing enough. I stopped measuring success by how many countries I’ve visited or how much money I’ve made. Instead, I measure it by how I feel at the end of the day. Do I feel peaceful? Did I connect with someone? Did I learn something new? That’s my real metric now.
So here’s my heartfelt takeaway, friend: Minimalist living isn’t about owning less. It’s about making room for more of what matters. Self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity, even if it’s just five minutes of breathing. And work-life balance? It’s not a destination you reach; it’s a rhythm you keep adjusting, day by day.
Wherever you are in your journey—whether you’re dreaming of a nomadic life or just trying to find a little more peace in your routine—I hope you give yourself permission to let go of what doesn’t serve you. You deserve to live intentionally, on your own terms.
With so much love,
Emma 🤍
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