How to Work When You’d Rather Wander: Let's Go There
A reader asked: “How do you stay motivated when you're somewhere beautiful and you'd rather be exploring than working?” Here’s my honest answer.
There are so many of us out there… people who’ve built good lives but are craving something different. People who are no longer willing to accept the one version of “success” we were sold as the American Dream.
We want more freedom, more meaning, more flexibility… and fewer meetings that could’ve been emails.
I get questions all the time from readers navigating this shift: What’s it really like to work remotely?
How do you deal with loneliness on the road? Is it too late to start over? (Spoiler: it’s not.)
So I’ve decided to start sharing more of these questions and my answers + resources in a new column called Let’s Go There.
Let’s Go There is a candid, question-led column where we unpack the real stuff behind remote work, solo travel, and midlife reinvention. No filters… just honest answers to the questions you’ve been carrying around.
Because if one person is asking, a dozen others are likely wondering the same thing. And if I’ve learned anything in this phase of life, it’s that honest conversations — and being willing to ask the questions and have the conversation— can change everything.
This first question comes from Jen in California, who’s planning her first long-term work-and-travel trip this spring. She wrote,
“I’m excited, but also a little worried that I’ll get distracted by the adventure and fall behind on work. How do you stay focused when you’re surrounded by fun and freedom?”
Ready? Let’s go there. Here are a few rules I’ve learned to live by.
I work first so I can say yes later.
The version of me that loves to linger over wine and wander unfamiliar streets also really hates having work hanging over her head. I’ve learned that I enjoy exploring so much more when I know the important stuff is already done.
So I design my days to support that.
Mornings are for deep work. I get up, grab coffee, do my journaling, then knock out a focused 2–3 hour block while my brain’s still sharp. That way, if I discover a side street that leads to a pop-up market or someone invites me on a spontaneous afternoon hike, I can say yes without guilt.
I don’t want to live a life where freedom always has to wait its turn.
Asana and Google Calendar run the show.
I’m not exaggerating when I say those two tools hold my entire business together. But they don’t rule me… they serve me.
I map out my week in Asana with tasks, deadlines, and priorities, and then block time in Google Calendar based on my energy and goals. That structure gives me room to move things around.
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If I feel inspired to write instead of handling client admin, I just swap the blocks. The only real rule is “move it, don’t lose it.” Deadlines still matter, especially when you’re your own boss.
But this system gives me clarity and freedom, which is basically the dream combo.
I match the task to the energy.
There’s no point in sitting at a café in Lisbon staring at a blank Google Doc when I could be outside soaking up sun and knocking five smaller things off my list on my phone. Over the years, I’ve learned to stop forcing it.
If I’m foggy, I’ll knock out low-effort wins. That might mean replying to messages, checking on invoices, clearing the admin backlog.
And when I’m energetic and focused, I double down on creative work or anything that requires strategy.
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When something just won’t come together, I let it simmer. There’s a difference between procrastination and percolation. As long as I come back to it — and finish — it’s all part of the process.
With that said: if a task keeps stalling out, it’s time to ask yourself if you should actually be doing it.
Can you delegate it? Automate it? Kill it altogether?
That’s one of the hidden gifts of remote work; it forces you to question everything on your plate.
Remote working environment matters, and so do the people around you.
This is one reason I love coliving spaces. Hotels and hostels occasionally have their place, but colivings designed for remote workers, where everyone has their own thing to get done, help me stay more productive and yet balanced, too.
There’s a shared vibe of focus, coffee breaks, and adventure, and there always seems to be someone around whose needs at that moment line up with yours.
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Compare that to being surrounded by retirees or vacationers. They don’t always understand why you’re “wasting a beautiful day” working. And if you’re not careful, the pressure to be fun all the time can wear you down.
I’ve had to learn how to kindly but clearly say, “This is a workday for me, but I’m free after 3.” It’s your life. It’s okay to protect the shape of it.
Freedom works best with a bit of supportive framework.
Staying motivated when the world outside looks like a postcard isn’t always easy, but it’s possible. Here are a few other things you can try if you’re worried the pull of distraction in beautiful places will impact your ability to successfully work remote:
Try working in public. A cozy café, a coworking space, a shady bench with Wi-Fi. Just being around other humans can help shift your brain into focus mode. (Be aware this isn’t socially acceptable everywhere, to hog a cafe table... libraries are often another good option.)
Set a clear “shutdown time.” Give yourself a non-negotiable end to your workday so you’re not tempted to let tasks stretch forever. The goal is to contain work, not let it spill across your whole day or week.
Batch your tasks. Stack similar work together (calls, admin, content) so you’re not constantly switching gears. This frees up bigger blocks of time for life.
Pre-scout your Wi-Fi spots. Know where you’ll get strong, stable signal so you don’t waste your best energy hunting for a working outlet.
Say it out loud. Tell a friend, coworker, or your travel buddy your top goal for the day. External accountability works wonders, even if it’s casual.
Block “non-negotiables.” Morning walk, stretch, meditation, journaling… whatever keeps you grounded. These routines anchor you, especially when everything around you is new.
Working from anywhere isn’t a constant vacation. But it shouldn’t feel like punishment, or that you’re just dragging an unfulfilling and demanding 9-5 around to different countries, either.
Let me know if any of this resonates. And if you’re on your own journey toward more freedom, I’d love to hear how you stay focused when the world is calling your name. Share your experiences in the comments.
✌🏻 Miranda
P.S. Have a burning question about remote work or nomad life, particularly in your 40s and beyond? Submit to hello@midlifenomads.com and I’ll do my best.
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