When Sarah Khan and her husband were hit with an unexpected rent hike, they didn’t just move—they hit reset on their entire way of living. Both worked remotely, and with no kids tying them down, the price surge felt like a push they didn’t know they needed. So they went for it: finally chasing the dream they’d talked about for years—life as digital nomads.
Ten months in, they’ve called multiple countries home, learned to navigate the unfamiliar, and found a kind of freedom that comes only when you stop following the usual script.
A Life Less Ordinary
For years, the idea of living remotely lingered in the back of their minds. Then came the long, drawn-out lockdowns, and that quiet pull suddenly got a lot louder. They imagined a life where mornings began with fresh air and not office traffic, where work could happen near beaches, forests, or old-world cities. But the constraints of city life kept that dream in the background—until their landlord unexpectedly doubled the rent.
That financial shock quickly turned into a pivot point. With Sarah freelancing in content strategy and her husband holding a remote position, they realized they had what they needed to break free from city leases and 9-to-5 routines. They decided to take the leap.
Since then, they’ve spent a few months at a time in places like Bali, Bangkok, Rome, and Tuscany—and more recently, Alicante. Each destination brought its own flavor, from farm stays near Italian vineyards to serene yoga retreats in Cambodia.
Instagram | sarahkhanamajid | Sarah Khan and her husband became digital nomads after an unexpected rent increase.
Life as a Digital Nomad
From the outside, the digital nomad life seems like pure freedom. But for a couple juggling full-time jobs while constantly on the move, the reality isn’t always so dreamy. In the beginning, it often felt like a constant back-and-forth, trying to stay on top of work while resisting the urge to drop everything and explore.
The couple quickly realized that digital nomadism isn’t a vacation. Most days weren’t about lounging on beaches with laptops; they involved staying indoors, managing client deadlines, and handling daily admin, just in new time zones.
There were moments of friction: adjusting to yet another Airbnb, dealing with inconsistent Wi-Fi, or watching tourists enjoy the day while being glued to screens. The dream was real, but it required structure.
Building Stability in Constant Change
What helped them not just survive but actually thrive was building a routine they could carry with them anywhere.
Rather than starting each day from scratch, they created a loose but reliable schedule that offered structure without feeling rigid. A productivity app helped them set daily anchors like:
Morning meditation and yoga
Breakfast at a neighborhood café
One outreach for work each day
A focused 30-minute writing sprint
Midday movement—usually Pilates or strength training
Some quiet time to read or catch up on newsletters
A firm 5:30 PM cutoff to unwind
Regular check-ins with loved ones
Each item took less than an hour, but together, they formed a rhythm that kept them grounded, boosted productivity, supported their health, and gave each new place a sense of home without derailing their work lives.
Slowing It Down for More Depth
Jumping from city to city every few weeks quickly became exhausting, so the couple shifted gears and adopted a “slomad” lifestyle—staying put for two to three months at a time. The slower pace eased the constant decision-making and let them settle in more fully.
Instead of breezing through as tourists, they started to feel rooted, finding go-to gyms, falling into neighborhood habits, and forming real connections along the way.
The slomad style also made working full-time while traveling much more manageable. With fewer transitions, there was more space to focus, plan, and relax between deadlines.
Instagram | sarahkhanamajid | Tired of rapid city-hopping, Sarah Khan and her husband embraced slomad travel.
Why More Couples Are Considering the Shift
More couples today are questioning what traditional success should look like. Owning property, climbing the corporate ladder, and settling down by 30 are no longer the only paths. Some are choosing mobility, flexibility, and creativity instead.
Throughout their journey, the couple met others doing the same—people building businesses from laptops, writing books, or teaching online. They weren’t escaping responsibility; they were reshaping it on their own terms.
This lifestyle may not be for everyone, but for those seeking a different pace and deeper meaning, it offers a compelling alternative.
Redefining “Home”
Living abroad without a permanent address might seem a little chaotic, but with the right mindset and daily habits, it can actually feel surprisingly steady. For this couple, the real change wasn’t just where they lived—it was how they lived.
They started choosing presence instead of pressure, flexibility instead of rigid routines, and personal growth over staying comfortable.
As they continue their digital journey, their new definition of home has little to do with a street address. It’s about having systems that keep them grounded, relationships that travel well, and work that aligns with their lifestyle. And for now, that’s more than enough.
