Time zones are no joke

Hey Nomads,

I’ve been hopping around Asia these past few months, and honestly, it’s been beautiful… but my body clock has not been having a good time.

I thought I could just “power through” the time difference like I usually do. But then my clients were waking up exactly when I was trying to fall asleep. My evenings turned into my mornings, my mornings turned into… I don’t even know anymore. At one point, I was answering emails at 2 AM and wondering why I sounded slightly unhinged.

That’s when I realised something nobody really talks about: Changing time zones doesn’t just shift your meetings. It shifts your entire energy.

And moving around without thinking about when you move? Not ideal.

So here are a few things I learned (the hard way):

1. Plan big moves around slow weeks

If you know you’ve got a launch, deadlines, or heavier client work… maybe don’t cross eight time zones the day before. (I did this. Zero stars. Don’t recommend.)

2. Ease into the new timezone

Don’t force yourself to flip your schedule overnight. Shift it gradually. Even 1–2 hours per day helps. Your brain will thank you.

3. Protect your “deep work” hours

Figure out when you naturally have the most energy in the new place and schedule your important tasks there. Even if it’s not “office hours” back home.

4. Turn off the guilt

It’s okay to tell clients “my timezone has changed, here are my new working hours.” Boundaries aren’t rude. They’re survival.

5. Some places should just be vacations

If a destination feels too beautiful to spend inside answering Zoom calls, let it be a break. Not everything needs to be a “work-from-paradise” moment.

Being a nomad means we get to choose our environments, but it also means we need to choose them with intention. Not every move is worth the hit to your sleep, energy, and sanity.

Anyway, I’m writing this somewhere between awake, half-asleep, and definitely jet-lagged.

If you’re juggling time zones too, you’re definitely not alone.

Lots of love,

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🧑‍💻 Nomad Resource of the Week

I’ve used Genki during a lot of my trips, and it’s been the most reliable option for me so far. They cover medical emergencies, accidents, hospital visits, and mental health support. It also works pretty much everywhere, which makes things easier when you’re moving between countries all the time.

What I appreciate most is that it’s month-to-month and easy to manage, without the usual hidden exclusions that show up when you actually need help. I had to file a claim once while abroad, and the process was surprisingly straightforward. Support replied quickly and handled everything without any drama.

I’m mentioning it here because it’s the one plan I keep renewing as I travel. It just does its job quietly in the background, and that’s all I really want from insurance.

Browse all our recommended travel health insurance options in our dedicated article.

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We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads 👋

Written by Angelina Bertoni

After trying the conventional life, I packed everything into a backpack and started walking the world. I feel the energy of the spaces I explore — and that’s what I write about.

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