Being Location Independent Isn't Just a Bonus for Travel Days
The ability to work remote isn't just about travel. Sometimes it means having the freedom to show up when and where needed in the ways life demands of us, without everything else falling apart.
✈️ Welcome to Midlife Nomads, your weekly hit of real talk, smart ideas, and helpful tools for building a location-independent life through remote work, travel, and business.
I was supposed to be in Mexico City with a digital nomad group this past month, soaking in art, rooftop sunsets, and community. Instead, I’ve been home in Canada, navigating hospital appointments, coordinating care, and trying to keep things from falling through the cracks.
My mom’s been unwell, and everything else has had to take a back seat. No flights, no big moves… just being here, doing what needs to be done.
But a few incredible things have happened in the midst of it all: I finished the first draft of a book I’ve been chipping away at for ages, and started onboarding a new team member to help with my content studio business.
It hasn’t been the adventure I had planned. But maybe exactly the one I needed.
There have been plenty of bright moments outside of work, too. I was home for Mother’s Day. We celebrated a birthday. I had a few honest, unhurried conversations with my sons; the kind that only happen when life slows down a bit.
People still ask me, “But what about the kids?” like choosing a semi-nomadic life and being a decent parent are somehow incompatible. Honestly, this lifestyle has made me a better parent — more present, more flexible, more available in ways that actually mattered.
Because I’ve worked remotely since before they were born, I was able to build my schedule around theirs. My kids didn’t have to be in daycare when they were starting school. I could show up for field trips and be there for the soccer games. We’ve taken trips not as luxuries, but as part of how we’ve lived and learned together.
Sure, being location independent meant that sometimes, I was gone. It also meant I could be there — really there — more often than I ever could’ve been with a traditional job and commute.
Location independence isn’t just beneficial for parents, of course. Many of us of a certain age are navigating the in-between and showing up for aging parents now, too. We’re building businesses or careers with more intention, not to climb a ladder, but to create something sustainable.
In 2017, both of my parents were diagnosed with cancer. Within months, my father was palliative. Because my business was already fully remote, I packed up and moved on to his farm to care for him, as he chose to spend the rest of his days at home.
I didn’t need to ask for time off. I didn’t need to risk job security or explain anything to HR.
I just… went. And I kept my business running while doing it.
When people think about remote work or digital nomad life, it’s often the Instagram version they picture: hammocks and laptops, visa stamps and mountain views. Total freedom from responsibilities.
Listen, it’s rarely that. The real power of a location-independent life is being able to pause, pivot, and reallocate your time and energy to what matters most, without everything else falling apart.
Location independence is about resilience. It’s a way to build your work around your life, not the other way around, so you can bounce back from whatever life throws your way without being totally derailed.
It offers a kind of quiet superpower and gives you the ability to:
Show up fully in moments that matter.
Keep moving forward, even if more slowly.
Avoid the “either/or” trap between life and work.
Align your energy with your actual priorities, not someone else’s schedule.
And yeah, sometimes it means swapping tacos and mezcal for waiting rooms and spreadsheets. But that’s still freedom. That’s still the life I get to choose, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Wherever you are this week — on the road, on all the calls, or just trying to keep the plates spinning — I hope you remember this: success doesn’t always look like forward motion.
Sometimes it looks like being still when stillness is needed. Like caring for others, or yourself, when it really matters.
If that’s where you are right now, you’re not off track. You’re not falling behind. You’re exactly where you need to be, doing the work that really counts.
You’re living the kind of life we talk about here; one where flexibility is functional, not flashy. Where work fits around your real priorities. Where freedom means being able to choose this — whatever “this” needs to be right now.
And that, to me, is the whole point.
Keep reading for interesting stories and resources including a new webinar series on building your ideal financial state, digital nomad visa updates, and our latest destination guide.
The Future of Work, AI, and Why It Matters for Nomads
The latest UN Human Development Report shows global progress is slowing, and fast. But there’s a twist: AI might just help turn the tide. For midlife nomads building flexible, future-proof careers, this is your reminder that how we engage with tech matters just as much as where we live or what we earn. The future of work isn’t just remote; it’s adaptive.
👉 Read the 2025 Human Development Report from the United Nations Development Programme
Become Financially Unbreakable: Aligning Values with Wealth
If you’re building a location-independent life, your financial decisions need to support your goals, not just traditional benchmarks. This first session in the “Becoming Financially Unbreakable” series from Further is worth your time. It’s all about getting clear on what truly matters to you and using that clarity to organize your financial life with more intention. Think: less financial noise, more aligned action.
👉 Watch How to Become Financially Unbreakable on Further
ICYMI - Cooler, Quieter, Better: Why Helsinki Belongs on Your Summer Radar
While much of Europe bakes under peak-season crowds, Helsinki offers a refreshing, off-the-radar summer escape. With fast Wi-Fi, national parks, laptop-ready cafés, and long northern sunsets, Helsinki is peaceful, practical, and a little bit magical.
👉 Read Head to Helsinki for Saunas, Sea Breeze & Scandinavian Summer Vibes here on Midlife Nomads
The Philippines is Launching a Digital Nomad Visa
Big news for remote workers looking to live and work somewhere warm, affordable, and English-speaking: the Philippines has officially launched a one-year Digital Nomad Visa. With strong cultural appeal, fast-growing infrastructure, and more than 7,000 islands to explore, it’s a compelling new option for long-stay travelers.
👉 Read more PH to lure digital nomads with new visa from the Manila Standard
The Philippines rolling out its first-ever digital nomad visa is a reflection of this new era of mobility were in. As exciting as that is, it comes with more complexity.
Croatia has extended its visa to 18 months, but with a steeper income requirement. Canada is courting nomads with a six-month stay option.
Spain and Portugal? Still welcoming, but tightening their rules.
The landscape is shifting fast. Over 50 countries now offer some version of a digital nomad visa, but the fine print is changing. Flexibility is growing, but so are the expectations.
Stay sharp, do your homework, and choose the places that align not just with your lifestyle, but with your long-term goals.
✌🏻 Miranda
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I am so sorry to hear about your Mother's recent health struggles. This time in our lives - aging and also caring for aging parents - is a difficult one. A surreal role reversal. I just wanted to say "Bravo!" to how thoughtfully you explained why location flexibility can be such a gift - and actually bring us closer to the ones we love. My mother suffered from Alzheimers for years, and working remotely meant that I was able to pick up and travel from Massachusetts to Washington D.C. whenever my father needed help with her care. Which in the end, was quite often. People are quick to judge - thank you for reminding the world that being a nomad can also mean bringing us closer to home...