Combining Work + Travel: How I Got Myself a Job Where I Can Work From Anywhere and Anytime I Want
“Ano bang trabaho mo?” or in English, “What is it exactly that you do?”
Surprisingly I get this question more often than the “Kelan ka ba mag-aaasawa?” one. :P If you’re following me on social media, perhaps you’re asking the same question too.
I am based in Manila. I HAVE A JOB. Yes!
Anywhere is a possible workplace. Setup up my work space in a kitchen of a hostel in Seoul, South Korea - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
Nap is life! Sneaking in a quick nap between beach time and work. - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
Nope, my field of work does not include beach tours. I’m not in the tourism industry neither.
All my trips were DIY, carefully planned through my obsessive-compulsive travel itinerary spreadsheet.
The answer is simple, I do social media marketing and community management as a freelancer. Because of my work setup, I do not need to clock in the office. I can work from anywhere and everywhere as long as I have my mobile phone, laptop and an ok internet connection.
First time seeing snow in Japan - Cristina Raposa @marsirap @instagram
My remote setup in a random cafe at Shirakawa-go in Japan - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
How? Why and When? Read along as I try my best to tell my story.
I love traveling. I love backpacking. For years, I’ve always enjoyed exploring new destinations and planning everything on my own. Back in 2012, when I was still clocking in for a 9 to 5 office job, I would strategically plan my trips and vacation leaves before or after the holidays. This way I get more days off. I’m pretty sure a lot of you guys have done this too, mixing sick leaves and vacations leaves with holidays.
Snorkeling in the Maldives - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
Avenue of Baobabs in Madagascar - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
This clever strategy worked so well until I started to feel a little constrained. After traveling to a few destinations, I wanted to do more, see more places and manage my own time.
Without having a clear plan for a new career, I’ve decided to quit my job. After my resignation, what was clear was I wanted to get away. I packed my bags and used my back pay for a trip across Indochina, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and then South Korea. It was one of my first solo trips ever and I sure did have a lot of fun.
Jodhpur, Rajasthan in India - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
When I arrived home in Manila, reality kicked in. I didn’t have a job. My savings were about to go empty real soon if I don’t get a job asap. I was already beginning to feel like I shouldn’t be so choosy, take any ok job wait until I’m a regular employee so I can use my leaves.
I almost gave up until a rare opportunity landed on my lap. Thanks to LinkedIn. I was given the opportunity to work for an Asian fashion social media startup. The pay was good and what’s even better is that I get to work remotely! No more clocking in, no more enduring the Manilatraffic jam. Yes to backpacking across Southeast Asia and the world, yes to surfing more waves, yes to learning new things and yes to being able to have enough time to do errands and all those adulting things. (Because yup, I’m a tita!)
Bucas Grande Island, Surigao del Norte - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
Surfing is one of my true loves. Aurora, Philippines - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
Another opportunity came from a virtual assistant recruitment company. For a while I worked with a few clients abroad, all on part time, 7AM to 11AM then all play for the rest of the day.
New Zealand was my dream destination since high school. - Queenstown, New Zealand - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
Then more opportunities came. One job lead to another. From friend recommendations to online job searches. I wasn’t aware that I was getting more and more into freelancing until when I had to file as a self-employed individual for the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Registering myself as a freelancer had its jitters. I was like, “What are you sure? You want to do this for a long time? Can you pull this off? What if the clients stop coming in?” That was my paranoid mind trying to discourage me.
On a side note, freelancers have the option to not declare their earnings but the thing is you have to give a receipt in exchange for pay cheques, proof of income for visa applications, loans etc.
Temple run in Bagan, Myanmar - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
To be honest, I don’t know when the clients and new projects will stop coming in. That’s why I make the best of what I have at the moment. I work hard and build good working relationships with the clients I have.
Freelancing or being a Digital Nomad sounds so easy, rewarding and all fun. It is, but it still requires effort and discipline to pull it off.
Playa La Caleta, Bataan - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
Channeling Moana at Cabo beach, Burgos in Pangasinan - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
For example, I don’t clock in 9AM to 5PM but as much as possible I try to discipline myself to wake up early in the morning to start working and see what needs to be done. Work a few hours in the morning then probably go surfing in the afternoon. Work in between travels while transiting from one location to the other.
Anyone can work from anywhere and anytime they want, however, I hate to break to you but choosing to have this kind of freedom still requires some sort of adulting.
Kuang Xi Waterfalls in Luang Prabang, Laos - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
The saying goes, “If you want something, you’ll find a way.” I love traveling so much, I wanted to do it as much as I could so I found a way to do it while working.
I know I promised myself to explain what I do as short as possible but I ended up telling a long story of how I landed on this kind of setup. I’ve met a lot of people who’ve ask me how to do it and what is required to work from anywhere and I hope I somehow managed to shed a light on it.
Nami Island, South Korea - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
Goa Gajah, Bali in Indonesia - Cristina Raposa @marsirap on Instagram
So anyway, let me end this long write up with a cute list of necessities every traveling freelancer / digital nomad should have. Check the proven must-have items below and let me know what you guys think!
Cristina’s Freelancer Manifesto
Discipline - Plan your working hours and make sure you stick with it. At times it’s also good to let your team or client know that you are traveling and might not be able to respond or work immediately because most of the time they’ll understand.
The Freelancer Toolkit - You need to be prepared for anything that could go wrong like having low battery, terrible wifi connection, last minute edits or client request. Everything you need to work must be handy and accessible when you are on the road.
Stay connected - Correspondence is key. The faster you respond to your clients the more they will feel at ease so it really pays to stay connected always. But at times when you can’t attend to their requests immediately, be honest and let them know that you are currently away and will work on their request as soon as you are settled. You can also let them know ahead of time on when you are out of reach.
Be professional / create work relationships - You don’t get to see the people you work with on a daily basis. At times it can be such a bore when you are always coordinating on your laptop or mobile phone so when you get to interact with them, greet them, ask how they are and never fail to say “Thank you”. However, don’t over do it nor over share!
Keep studying - In an industry such as social media, there are always new trends coming up so it pays to keep studying to improve your skills and be in the loop on what’s on trend. Think of it as an investment, you take certificate courses, attend webinars, the more you learn the more skills you acquire and the more services you can offer to your clients.
Do the paperwork - The trickiest part! I used to have a tally of who won between me vs. BIR per the number of times I visited their office to work on my requirements. Once you’ve got the registration, forms, books, filing, receipts and accountant covered, you’re good to go. Trust me, it’s worth all the trouble! :)
Learn to stay AFK - You can still get burnout when you are working on your laptop or on your mobile phone for almost the entire time so practice on having some time away from any of your freelancing tools. Especially when you are on another town or country, get away from the keyboard, enjoy your surroundings, be there and be present!
BTW guys, don’t forget to follow my travels on social media! I’m on Facebook and Instagram! :)
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