Freelancing as a Ticket to Travel by Polly Washburn

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Digital Nomad Dream: An Insightful Talk with Polly Washburn

Hello everyone! Today, we dive into an exciting conversation with Polly Washburn, a Canadian American freelance web and game developer. We're thrilled to have Polly take us on her thrilling journey and share how she's been living the dream of being a digital nomad for the past 10 months, working across five countries.

The Flexibility of Freelancing

Starting off as a temp worker back in the '90s, Polly journeyed through various jobs before transitioning to full-time freelancing. Her portfolio includes working for nonprofits, small businesses, and artists. One significant advantage of freelancing, she shared, is the freedom to choose how you spend your time and energy.

Becoming a Digital Nomad

Embarking on the digital nomad lifestyle, Polly put all her stuff in storage five years ago and started traveling, all while continuing her freelance work. Traveling from Amsterdam, Geneva, Italy, Thailand to Japan, Polly took it upon herself to tick off some bucket list countries.

Traveling Post-Pandemic Era

With COVID-19 imposing restrictions, Polly listed a few things to consider before packing your bags:

  1. COVID-19 level in the destination.
  2. Personal and family risk factors.
  3. COVID-19 restrictions in the destination country.
  4. Restrictions to return to your home country.

Essential Tips for Digital Nomads

Beyond these challenges, being a digital nomad can be rewarding. Polly shared some accessible tips and advice for prospective digital nomads:

  • Avoid peak seasons for travel to save your pennies.
  • Before venturing out for a longer journey, take a test journey to understand what it feels like.
  • Always have required travel documents ready, like visas, vaccinations, and COVID-19 test results.
  • Look for accommodation with a kitchenette to save money and maintain safety during the pandemic.
  • Diversify your working stations. Go for open spaces keeping COVID-19 restrictions in mind.
  • Prepare for the unexpected as not all elements are under your control.
  • Take into account cultural limitations when choosing a country for your nomadic lifestyle.

Financial Tips for Women Freelancers

As a proponent of women freelancers, Polly strongly encourages women to charge a higher value for their work. Find out from other women what it's like to travel and work in the area you're thinking about.

In Conclusion

The world of digital nomads opens up plenty of opportunities for freelancers. From travelling around the world to spending time with family, freelancing offers flexibility and control that few other job roles provide. Connect with Polly to seek advice or follow her travels here. Happy travels!


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