Returning to Work After a Career Break: How Remote Work Made It Possible
In 2021 I left work, the UK, and most of my friends and family behind. After what felt like half a decade trapped (at points literally) in a small flat in Manchester, I couldn't wait to get out and explore the world. It was an amazing, life-changing experience. But, after some years away, it was time to return home. And, in doing so, I had some decisions to make.
When I first arrived at Gatwick airport I had no idea what life was going to look like - I stayed with a friend, found some temporary work, and tried to reacclimatise to life at home. There were many reunions, tears, and more than one panic attack due to complete overwhelm - reverse culture shock is a real thing, who knew?
But, when all was said and done, though I made some vague attempts to see what was out there in the working world, it felt like there was really only one place I wanted to end up - and that was back at endjin.
I've now been back in the UK nearly two years, and back at work for 18 months, and there is definitely a lot to reflect on.
Remote Work and Digital Nomading
I know "digital nomad" can sound a bit buzzword-y, but it is the simplest label for how I have been living since I got back.
Having spent almost 3 years without staying in one place more than a month, the idea of signing a year-long lease felt terrifying in the extreme. And, endjin being a totally remote company (and having been so since 2018 - before it was cool...), I luckily didn't have to.
A lot of Airbnbs offer discounts for stays over a month, and with the current price of electricity and gas, you can often find options for far less than you'd pay at a standard rental - especially if (like me) you are drawn to places in the middle of nowhere, even in the depths of winter. So, that is what I did...
I lived all over the UK - Devon, Yorkshire, Bristol, North Wales, and even spent the winter in Spain (something that convinced me more than ever that January in the UK just isn't for me). And, in all of this, I learnt a lot about what I value in the places that I live. The feeling of being able to walk out the door into nature is something that, for me, is unparalleled. That being said, somewhere with train connections allowing me to attend the 5+ weddings I need to go to (yes, I am in my 30s) is equally important. Two months spent in a depression fog in a village in Yorkshire taught me that access to a gym or at least some way to exercise when it's raining is also a must for my mental health...
Honestly, I do not think returning to work would have been possible for me at that point without this flexibility. My mental state was not great, and trying to go straight from years of constant movement into a rigid routine would have been too big a shock. Being able to choose where I lived, reduce pressure where I could, and make changes gradually meant I could build back up rather than burn out.
Remote-first work gave me the space to re-enter life in the UK on my own terms, and that flexibility is what has made the first year back at work feel in some ways like a continuation of the adventure.
What I Want to Carry Forward
I know that not everyone has the opportunity, means, or even desire to live month-to-month unpacking and re-packing, but I do think that there are some lessons that I've learnt which are applicable whatever your situation:
- Over-planning the next 1/3/5 years can make you more anxious, not less. One of the biggest things I had to accept when travelling was that nothing ever goes fully to plan. That's as true for life in general as it is for catching 4 buses in a day. Spending all my time running through every possible scenario and outcome is never as helpful as it feels in the moment. (As someone with anxiety, I know that's easier said than done. And, to be clear, I'm not saying don't plan at all - I'm told some financial planning is probably a good idea...)
- You don't need to work everything out at once. Trying something and deciding it doesn't work is far better than never changing at all. Most of the time, all you need to plan is the next step.
- Notice what makes you happy. Nothing makes me feel better than being in nature, so building a life around that feels not only logical, but necessary.
- Also notice what drains you. For me, winter has always been hard. Once I accepted that, it became much easier to make decisions that were actually good for me.
- Revisit your priorities every few months. What mattered to you last year might not be what you need now.
- Don't confuse discomfort with failure. Some uncertainty is just part of change, and it does not always mean you've made the wrong decision.
And, if you are considering stepping into the world of "digital nomading", some advice:
- If you are working, make sure that you have enough time to appreciate a place. The first couple of places I stayed, I was only there for a month. By the time I'd moved the first weekend and left the final one, I felt like I had barely found my feet before I was moving again. Plan a good margin between moves - back-to-back travel plus work can be exhausting very quickly.
- Think about the practical - what are some of the things that you do every day / every week that you'd struggle without - a swimming pool? A gym? A library? A pub within walking distance..?
- How much travel do you need to do whilst you are there? Can you find somewhere you love that doesn't mean spending 5 hours on a train multiple times per month?
- Always have a backup internet option. A local SIM/hotspot can save a lot of panic on work days.
- Budget for comfort, not just cost. Sometimes paying a bit more for location, heating, or a proper desk is worth it.
- Remember that it can be lonely. Moving around means you don't always build a base where you are living. Make sure you know what you will do if you are feeling alone - are there friends nearby? Do you have people you can call? Are there local groups you can get involved in?
Final thought
The biggest thing I have learned is that you do not need to blow up your whole life to make things better. You can use the same approach wherever you are: pay attention to what helps, be honest about what drains you, and focus on the next sensible step instead of waiting for a perfect long-term plan. That shift has made life feel less overwhelming, work feel far more sustainable, and I'm excited about building a life that works for me - whatever that might look like!
