The power of saying "No"


Hey nomads,

This week, as I hopped (yet again!) from one spot to the next, something struck me. It wasn't the beauty of the new landscape or the usual thrill of the unknown. It was actually this simple realization: I've gotten a lot better at saying "No."

As digital nomads, we embrace opportunity. A new freelance project? Sure! A last-minute invite for an epic adventure? Absolutely! But do you know what can happen when those "yeses" keep piling up? We start to feel overwhelmed, stretched too thin, and even a little resentful.

I used to be the queen of the enthusiastic "yes." But with time, I started to notice – the more I said "yes" without thinking, the further away my personal goals seemed to drift.

Here's the thing:

Saying "no" isn't about shutting yourself off from the world. It's about creating space for the things that truly fuel you.

So, how did I, a self-proclaimed "yes" person start to find the power in "no"? Here's a bit of what's worked for me:

  • Know your priorities: Get crystal clear about what's most important in this season of your life. When an opportunity comes along, check – does this move you closer to those things, or sideways?
  • "No" for now, not "never": Maybe that extra project would be awesome, but this month is a no-go. Reframe your refusals to keep possibilities open for another time.
  • The polite "no" is your friend: You could start saying: "Thanks for thinking of me, but I won't be able to swing this". Shows appreciation while keeping your boundaries.
The power of "no" is what puts YOU back in the driver's seat of your life. It's how you make space for the projects, the experiences, and the people that set your nomadic soul on fire.

So, my "Yes" friend, I have a task for you.

This week, take a look at your calendar and to-do list. Is there something you can gracefully say "no" to? If so, you might want to reconsider those tasks/projects.

Have a wonderful and productive week,

Irene xx

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🧑‍💻 Nomad Story of the Week

Nomad story of the week
@nomadicmauritians: “Before getting married, one of us (Beatrice) was already researching and looking into working online and digital nomad life. That was around 2010 when she explored the idea of freelancing from anywhere. Fast forward many years later she explored and experimented with that kind of life trying various online jobs from blogging to digital marketing and online business. Today, we slow travel independently and indefinitely as a married couple. Now in 2024, it’s never been more accessible to live the digital nomad life. 💻 START SMALL: Start where you are with what you have. If you’re a freelancer, can you find loyal clients willing to let you work remotely? If you don’t have a flexible job, try speaking to your boss about working from home before you leave for another country. 👉🏼 We started with the work we had, and upgraded as we moved along into our years of nomadic life. 💰 SAVE UP: Get into the habit of saving if you don’t already do that. Learn to be financially responsible as it will help make your nomadic life less stressful. (Nothing worse being broke or ill and unable to afford healthcare or a ticket out). 👉🏼 we had some savings, then grew it by investing into a long term financial plan. We also live frugally even though we don’t do budget travel. 🌍 SLOW TRAVEL: Be a better traveller with slow travel. There are many ways to nomad, yet after a while you’ll find that slow travel gives you more harmony and freedom. It’s also gentler on the planet as you’re not whizzing through several countries, and more respectful as you begin to immerse yourself in the local culture and community. 👉🏼 We learned the hard way after travel burnout (it’s a real thing, look it up). Now, we happily skip cathedrals and landmarks in favour of local parks, and what most would consider “boring"."

✨ Nomad Quote of the Week

"Exploration is curiosity put into action." – Don Walsh

📸 Nomad Postcard of the Week

@nomadcopywriting: “Before becoming a freelance copywriter, I was a(n): Intern, Ice cream scooper, Italian ice vendor, Restaurant hostess, Cashier, Bus girl, Bartender, Waitress, Film production assistant, English teaching assistant, Tutor, Journalist, Proofreader, Marketing assistant, Content marketing specialist, I didn’t find out what I wanted to do with my life until I was 33 years old. Sometimes I feel like I’ve fallen a bit behind my peers. Especially when I compare myself to all the 25-year old tech entrepreneurs making millions 🥺, But then I remind myself of all the LIFE experience that I have. And that over the past 15 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to: ✈️Travel the world (while building a sustainable copywriting business), 🌎Live in places like Barcelona (my current home), Medellin, Buenos Aires, Bali, Thailand, Rio de Janeiro, Florianopolis, Paris and Toulouse, 🗣️Learn 3 languages (Portuguese, Spanish and French), Meet incredible people from all around the world, 👐🏻Learn how to adapt to different cultures and world views — and broaden my perspective. I may not be a 25-year old entrepreneur raking in millions…But I’ve got a whole lot of life experience. Which has made me a more empathetic, open-minded human. And (conveniently enough) a better copywriter. Bonus points: I’ve accumulated a treasure trove of stories, experiences and memories that help inspire the copy I write. And ya know what? I’ll take that over a fat paycheck any day.”

🔥 Our Nomad Resource of the Week

Yesim

Yesim offers an innovative solution for staying connected as a digital nomad or remote worker, thanks to their combination of eSIM technology and virtual phone numbers.

Their eSIMs cover a wide range of countries and come in both regional and country-specific options, so you can tailor your plan to your travel needs. With virtual phone numbers, you gain anonymity by keeping your personal number separate or establishing a local presence that's familiar to clients.

Yesim's virtual phone numbers also grant you local numbers in various regions, adding convenience and a professional touch. While their focus is on data, having a local number can help you avoid additional roaming charges in certain situations when receiving SMS messages. Best of all, Yesim's plans are budget-friendly, with no hidden fees or long-term contracts, so you can simply focus on your work and nomad adventures.

🎁 Special discount: Use the promo code "Freaking3" at the checkout, to receive 3 EUR OFF on all their eSIM plans.

Get an eSIM or virtual number

👉 If you want more digital nomad resources, check them all on our website 📚

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