Travel changes us all in some way. This blog series explores how intentional planning, mindful traveling, and meaningful reflection can evolve a trip from a checklist of things to see and do into an experience that can transform our lives long after we return home. Read more transformational travel stories.

Goals And Intentions

After spending 10 years working remotely and seeing a lot of the world alongside my spouse, my life changed drastically in 2022 when our marriage veered toward divorce. Once I was in the right frame of mind, I thought about how:

• A decade had passed since I gossiped at the office kegerator to make new friends.
• My longtime marriage had legally ended, and I hadn’t traveled internationally since.
• Friendships and traveling are very important to me. (NB: Create a Care Bear for that.) My vision-future includes more of both.

I was intentional in researching my first new-country trip since rebacheloring, seeking a setup for working remotely abroad without isolation. I chose for this stay Noma Collective, which heavily emphasizes community and planned activities.

As a globetrotter and future travel coach, I had goals!

Traditional winter travel goals are easy when going from Seattle to Placencia: trade dark skies and cold for sun and warmth, eat new cultural foods, and see beautiful nature.

My digital nomad goals were to grow a network of similar-minded folks and maybe make a travel buddy for future remote work trips.

Travel Experience

Thanks to Noma Collective, my goals started to be met before I left home, as I joined fellow travelers on Slack and an introductory teleconference. What was it like once on-site in Belize?

We met for: welcome dinner, site orientation, yoga, a grocery run, village intro, goofy golf, and much more.

Not surprisingly this group was proactive, and sent invites for ad hoc meals, happy hours, or cooking classes.

Weekend adventures like a snorkeling boat, cave excursion, waterfall swimming, and farm tour were offered.

Oh right and we all worked some version of full-time for three weeks. I really enjoyed chatting to people who happened by my breakfast or lunch table. I found myself inspired to plan more of my big 2025 vacation/work spectacular and to research other short working trips.

Transformation Reflection

After returning home I was definitely missing the people! So what are my takeaways?

This trip reset my remote work life, healing question marks regarding whether a new single-traveler future would exist for me.

It brought clarity by confirming that travel in a digital nomad community provides the social component I need as a ambivert.

I have no hesitation about doing another digital nomad community trip. It will be a top option for future remote-work travel.