In a world that increasingly blurs the lines between work and leisure, I embarked on a three-week journey to Italy, not just for the allure of its historical charm, beautiful views, and amazing food and wine, but as a personal experiment in remote work. Could I be productive and partially connected to work AND truly enjoy time away for travel and renewal?
What unfolded during that time was not just a test of my ability to take an actual vacation, disconnect from the office, truly be present to the amazing sites before me, but to check in to the office across oceans and time zones when I wanted to. It turned out to be a sincere exploration of the relationship between my “work” self and the world around me.
The Premise: The Journey of Self-Discovery Continues
I’m a “busy” person. I have a curious and investigative nature, and I like to dive deep. As my closest friends and family know, I’ve always got something going on. In addition to owning my own businesses for more than 30 years (yes, I had a business before insight180), I am a singer and vocal coach, a crafter, a gardener, a Reiki Master, a lover of music and theater. I raised an amazing son (as a single mom for 23 of his 31 years). I love to read; I study wellness, psychology, and self-improvement concepts; I volunteer. And I work…a lot. The beauty of my work, however, is that much of it doesn’t feel like work.
That said, I know the importance of rest, renewal, and reflection. Not only does it serve me physically and emotionally, it feeds my creativity. Since the pandemic, I’ve realized the importance of “putting on my own mask first,” prioritizing self-care and personal passions amidst the demands of running a business.
Putting Hybrid Into Practice and Embracing Remote
I began planning this trip to Italy in 2019. I have been lucky enough to travel internationally throughout the years – visiting a dozen or so countries, but I never made it to Italy. As a lover of art, music, mythology and more, Italy was calling. I have some creative business friends who have been making long-term remote work and even a nomadic lifestyle work for them. When the pandemic hit, it delayed my trip, but it also brought new possibilities. After five years of hybrid work – remote and in person – I knew that I, and my team, could do remote work quite well. I had traveled around the country for a week or two at a time, working where I landed. And I began to have thoughts of more. What would it be like to work three months in another state…or country?
The Work/Life Balance Tightrope
In our modern society, the concept of work/life balance is often presented as a dichotomy, a delicate tightrope walk where one must meticulously partition their time between professional responsibilities and personal pursuits. However, I challenged this conventional wisdom during my time away.
While it was three weeks instead of the “dreamed of” three months – it was still much longer than any vacation I’ve taken away from my business.
As I marveled at the Colosseum, strolled through the cobblestone streets of Bevagna and San Gimignano, sampled the amazing wine and olive oil of Orvieto, immersed myself in the art and architecture in Florence, and savored a morning cappuccino (Do NOT try to order one after 11 a.m. – traditionally Italians consider it a milk-heavy beverage best suited for morning) at many quaint outdoor trattorie, I found myself completely enamored.
So what about the work part? The first few days of my trip, I checked in – usually in the morning (while my team was asleep), and then again around 4 p.m. (10 a.m. back home), and not for a long time. My travel partner and I often came back to our Airbnbs a few hours before dinner to rest or regroup, so it was easy to check in and be available for any loose ends. And because of my fabulous team, it was easy to let go and enjoy the rest of my day. During one of my longer stays, six days in beautiful Spello, a medieval walled city in the Umbria region, we held our Zoom production meeting (just to try it) and it went without a hitch! I embraced the fluidity of the experience. Work became intertwined with exploration, and leisure became an opportunity for creative inspiration.
And, don’t worry – there were days at a time where I completely unplugged, because it was a vacation, too.
Not Blurring, But Redefining Boundaries
Italy’s breathtaking beauty and rich cultural tapestry served as a constant reminder of the importance of living in the present moment. Surrounded by centuries of history and artistic mastery, I was present, unencumbered by the usual distractions of the office.
A change of scene – this newfound freedom to roam, both literally and figuratively, breathed new life into my work. As I sat down to write, delegate, or engage in a virtual meeting, I did so with a renewed sense of energy and creativity.
Challenging the Status Quo
In a world that still exalts the hustle and grind, my Italian adventure offers a different perspective. It challenged the notion that productivity must come at the expense of leisure, and that success is measured solely by the number of hours logged in front of a computer.
Instead, it confirmed that true productivity stems from a balance of focused effort and intentional rest. By embracing the beauty of my surroundings and allowing myself the freedom to explore, I was able to approach my work with a clarity and purpose that was refueled.
This trip was a reminder to make time every day to roam, to stay curious, and to think creatively to move beyond limitations.
Join the Conversation
As we navigate an increasingly complex, interconnected world, it’s crucial to reevaluate our relationship with work, leisure, rest, and play. Are we simply living to work, or are we working to live? I invite you to join the conversation and share your thoughts and experiences.
Have you experienced moments of inspiration and creativity while exploring new places? How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance in an always-on world? Let’s challenge the status quo together and embrace the beauty of reimagined boundaries.
In the end, my Italian adventure taught me that true productivity isn’t about where you are or how many hours you clock – it’s about finding joy and fulfillment in both work and life. And just maybe, the key to unlocking our full potential lies in the freedom to explore a different way.
