The Unspoken Lessons of Remote Work

After four years grinding in New York’s high-pressure agency world, I craved space. What began as a need for flexibility morphed into a 7 year journey of working remotely and traveling. This chapter transformed both my creative perspective and how I moved through the world.

During my time in Portland, Oregon, I connected with an incredibly talented group of designers. While we worked with similar clients, their process was so different from mine. From sewing and screen printing to 3D modeling and material experimentation, their approach to translating ideas into tangible forms expanded my own perspective. I learned to try, to make, to get my hands dirty. It reignited my sense of how storytelling connects directly to the products people touch and use.

In Mexico City, I was inspired by the culture’s vibrancy and deep respect for objects that live multiple lifetimes. I became more intentional about my own work and life, learning to embrace color, simplicity, and reduce waste. In Barcelona, the city’s architecture, golden light, and tapas taught me the art of presence. It reminded me that rest can be just as valuable as productivity.

Wandering through museums and galleries between client calls became my ritual. I worked from the cafe at the Tate Modern in London, by the pyramids at the MET in New York, and in the courtyard of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. These moments weren’t about escaping work; they kept me creatively charged, even on the busiest days.

Not every day was seamless. I’ve come to understand that preparation is a quiet form of resilience. In the Dominican Republic, a neighborhood blackout hit while I was mid-project, but my backup batteries and portable WiFi kept me online and on track. In Cape Verde, I found myself at a beachside café without the right international adapter. A coder sitting nearby noticed and lent me his spare. As we shared stories about remote work, it became a simple reminder that community can form in unexpected places.

The beauty of the digital nomad life is how it teaches you to adapt. You stay open to time zone jumps, new tools, and new stories. Film photography became a favorite way to document my adventures. Each roll captured connection and place, a record I could hold in my hands… and my heart.

This chapter wasn’t about running away from structure. It was about building a new one that balanced freedom with discipline, solitude with community, and personal growth with creative ambition. In the spaces between, I found new ways to stay curious and connected.