📅 On the road for more than 1 year and 6 months Just over three months ago, I left Ubud and set off on a new adventure in Thailand. After a short stay on Koh Phangan and attending a bachata dance festival in Phuket, I finally arrived in Chiang Mai – Thailand’s first true digital nomad city.
First impression: so far so good. It’s a big city with a relaxed vibe, known for its hundreds of Buddhist temples, stunning mountain scenery, vibrant markets, and rich Lanna culture. Thanks to its low cost of living, fast Wi-Fi, and abundance of coworking spaces, Chiang Mai has been a hotspot for digital nomads for years. I found a lovely apartment just outside the city, with views of the mountains and several football fields nearby. Who knows – maybe I’ll discover the Thai Messi here?! 😉 It’s the perfect place to unwind and let my mind wander.
👨💻 Work & Letting Go
Once again, I found a coworking space where I had been working remotely for De Appmakers – as you may have seen pop up in your feed. However, the collaboration ended earlier than planned due to changing circumstances within the company. Although it didn’t turn out as I had hoped, I’m grateful for the opportunity and the lessons I’ve taken with me. It also made me reflect on how I want to shape my work in the future.
For now, I’m looking for a new remote project. I’m confident that something exciting and meaningful will cross my path again – maybe even something outside of IT!
🤝 Community & Loneliness
Over the past months, I’ve realized just how valuable a good coworking space can be – especially when they host activities (which unfortunately aren’t happening now due to the low season). It’s such an easy way to meet other digital nomads. I did miss this social aspect lately. With colleagues far away and spontaneous chats being rare, I noticed how important it is to have long-term friendships where you don’t have to retell your story every time. It’s comforting to share your journey with people who truly understand what it means to work and travel – along with all the uncertainties that come with it.
At times, I felt lonely and came face-to-face with myself in the process (But the loneliness may be there too). It gave me the insight that I am definitely a social creature and shouldn’t isolate myself for too long from social life.
🌍 Visa Run & Plans
Recently, I spent three days in a small village in Laos for a visa run since my Thai visa had expired. It involved more than six hours on a bus (each way) to cross the border – but with a good book and a podcast, it was manageable. Honestly, there wasn’t much to do 😅, but I’m now back in Thailand and plan to stay here for the time being.
☀️ In Search of a Morning Routine
In the coming weeks, I want to fine-tune my morning routine again: waking up early (around 6 a.m.) and starting the day with intention.
Got any tips? I’d love to hear them! It always feels great to kick off the day fresh, focused, and productive 💪
With happy work and travel greetings,
Sander