- Sarah Khan has been working remotely in different countries with her husband
- She explained that becoming a ‘nomad’ has been difficult
- She said she often can’t enjoy the stunning destinations because of work
It may sound like an absolute dream to be able to constantly travel and explore new countries for months and months.
But 33-year-old Sarah Khan told Business Insider that living as a digital nomad with her husband for the last 10 months hasn’t felt like a permanent vacation.
In fact, she said that at times it’s felt ‘disorienting.’
Khan explained that when she and her husband decided to get rid of their home and set out to travel for a year together, it felt like the perfect idea.
They both worked remote jobs and didn’t have children.
And more importantly – the actual catalyst to them packing up their stuff and going – the rent on their apartment had increased immensely.
When they set off, Khan described the experience as a dream.
She said that the plan was to travel to Bali, Rome, Tuscany, Bangkok, Phuket, and eventually Spain, and bounce around as much as possible.
Sarah Khan said that being a digital nomad and traveling from country to country with her husband doesn’t always feel like a vacation (stock image)
And although being in a new place so often made even mundane, everyday activities feel fresh and exciting, Khan said that after a few months she began to struggle.
She explained that it was hard to focus on work (she was still technically working a 9-5 job) in such stunning settings without feeling jealous of vacationers.
She also noted that every time they would move to a new place, she’d feel ‘scattered,’ trying to find stuff like a new gym and grocery store whenever they relocated.
‘Noticing how my productivity and well-being often took a hit, especially when adjusting to a new city or time zone, I realized I needed a “transferrable routine” – something simple but effective that I could recreate anywhere,’ she said to Business Insider.
But what finally helped her get into a good groove was adopting what she called a ‘slomad’ lifestyle.
This meant that they’d spend at least two months in each new place, so that they could try to settle into new places and build somewhat of a routine.
Her daily routine now includes meditation and yoga, breakfast with her husband at their favorite morning spot, some sort of outreach for work, focused writing, some movement, reading, catching a sunset swim, and then a conversation with someone back home.
Khan explained that maintaining a routine and being a ‘slomad’ has helped her stay grounded in every new home her and her husband make (stock image)
Even though these tasks don’t take up much time, they still help her stay focused and feel fulfilled.
She explained that making sure to check off each of these things has saved her from ‘decision fatigue’ and find somewhat of a ‘home’ wherever she goes.
And it’s because of this routine and the comfort she’d found in it that her and her husband are thinking of extending their trip from just one-year long to an additional six months.
‘Though I miss the comfort and familiarity of a permanent base, we’re excited to keep exploring,’ she said to Business Insider.
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