The Journey of Work Without Borders with Tracey Green ✈️🌍

Ever wondered what it’s like to travel the world while working remotely? Tracey Green, Head of Treasury and Special Projects (Finance) at EasyEquities, recently embraced the digital nomad life with 78 days, 9 countries, and more than a million steps—all while continuing her work. Beyond the thrill of new places, this journey taught her the art of balancing work with exploration, adapting to constant change, and discovering new perspectives. Here’s a look into Tracey’s unforgettable experience and the lessons she gained along the way

When I first entered the corporate world, I could never have dreamt about the experiences I have had and the places I would go. The most recent experience involving 2.5 months, 78 days, 9 countries, 10 flights, 1 overnight train, and well over a million steps, what a time to be alive and what an unforgettable journey. I've been able to explore parts of the world, all whilst continuing to contribute to the growth of my company, EasyEquities, and continue to love what I do. Many dream of becoming a digital nomad, but what does that truly entail?

A digital nomad is often defined as someone who leverages technology to work remotely while living a location-independent lifestyle. Typically, digital nomads travel frequently or live in different places around the world, often for extended periods. They can work from anywhere with an internet connection, whether it's a café, a co-working space, or a temporary residence. This lifestyle has gained momentum in the post-pandemic world, with more professionals seeking flexibility and freedom in how they approach work.

But in reality, it’s so much more than that. Being a digital nomad means embracing a new way of balancing work and life, overcoming logistical challenges, and creating a routine that allows you to thrive both professionally and personally. It’s about finding harmony between your professional responsibilities and your personal passions. Of course, not every profession offers this kind of flexibility and I’ve been incredibly lucky to have this opportunity.

What Inspired Me to Explore This Path?

Like many, I was hesitant to travel after the pandemic. My last adventure before this was in 2019, when I visited Ireland with friends. But in 2023, after moving back to Cape Town from Johannesburg, following significant life changes, the desire to explore again took over. I wanted to see the world, meet like-minded people, and tick off a bucket-list item: surfing in Portugal. The flexibility of remote work made this dream possible, and I thought, why not take it further? Instead of taking leave for a few weeks, I could combine my desire to explore the world with my job.

After careful planning and discussing the idea with my boss (thank you for agreeing to this), I packed my bags and headed to Europe mid-July 2024. I was beyond nervous, as travelling by yourself is not always easy and I knew there would be challenges along the way. Although I would be staying with some friends along the way, some of my worries relating to work were ensuring that there would be reliable Wi-Fi, finding productive workspaces, and staying focused while exploring Europe. My company’s decision to move into a WeWork Office proved to be an absolute game-changer for this.

Navigating Remote Work Across Different Countries

Since EasyEquities began working out of the WeWork Co-Working Spaces in Johannesburg in 2023, I have been a big fan of this amazing environment. The flexibility to collaborate with colleagues whilst also having the freedom to work from anywhere in the world has been incredible. This setup allowed me to access any WeWork location worldwide, which eased my concerns about connectivity and finding productive workspaces. The seamless experience from logging onto the WeWork app and booking a hot desk, jumping on a train and navigating your way to the office, swiping your card and gaining access to the space, is so easy and works incredibly well even in foreign countries with limited English.

During my travels, I worked from various WeWork offices in Amsterdam, Stockholm, and London. Each location provided not only world-class facilities but also a unique energy, productive workspaces shared with fellow digital nomads and professionals from across the globe. These interactions fuelled my creativity and brought fresh perspectives to my work, even while I was thousands of miles from my home office.

Balancing Work and Life on the Road

In 2.5 months of travelling, I visited nine countries, reconnected with friends, met new people, all while balancing work and play. I carefully scheduled my time, with a few time differences (but nothing unmanageable) and took leave when it worked for my team. During my 2.5 weeks of leave, I visited six countries, did over 9 hours of walking tours, ate too many pastries, surfed in Ericeira, Portugal (a bucket-list item!), and made memories that will last a lifetime.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Constantly moving around Europe can be both physically and mentally taxing. One of the biggest lessons I learned is that resilience is key. The challenges along the way helped me grow both personally and professionally. As the saying goes, “Hard choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life.” This journey has reinforced the importance of embracing discomfort to achieve growth.

Growth Through Challenges

As with any significant journey, there were moments of discomfort, but it’s those very moments that taught me the most valuable lessons, both in my personal life and my professional career.

• Resilience is Key: Travelling through multiple countries, navigating different time zones, languages, and cultures while maintaining a professional work routine requires resilience. There were days when adapting to a new work environment wasn’t easy. However, these small obstacles taught me the importance of staying adaptable and patient. Not every day will be perfect, and that’s okay. What matters is how you respond to challenges and find solutions without losing sight of your goals.
• Time Management and Self-Discipline: When working remotely, especially while travelling, time management becomes crucial. It’s easy to get distracted by new surroundings and fall behind on tasks. I learned that creating a structured daily routine helped me to stay focused and productive. This meant setting clear boundaries between work hours and personal time, which allowed me to enjoy the best of both worlds, exploring new places in the evenings while ensuring my professional responsibilities were met.

• Flexibility is a Superpower: Even the best-laid out plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it was a delayed flight or a bus just never arriving, I quickly learned that being flexible and open to change is a must for any digital nomad. Instead of getting frustrated by things outside of my control, I adapted and found alternative solutions. Flexibility allows you to pivot when needed, making the journey less stressful and more enjoyable
• Embracing Discomfort Leads to Growth: The moments of discomfort, whether it was navigating a new city alone or adjusting to unpredictable schedules, taught me to lean into uncertainty. Discomfort is often a sign that you’re growing, stretching beyond your comfort zone, and gaining new perspectives. I was beyond nervous before I left, going travelling by yourself isn’t easy by any means. Each challenge helped me become more self-reliant and confident in my ability to thrive in unfamiliar situations. Growth rarely happens in the comfort zone, and this trip reminded me that the most rewarding experiences often come from the most challenging ones.
• Building Deeper Connections: Travelling while working remotely also provided the opportunity to meet people from different walks of life. Whether it was fellow professionals in a WeWork office or locals I met during my travels, every interaction brought new insights. I learned the value of human connection and the richness it adds to both work and life. I also realised how important it is to connect with your colleagues you don’t see every day, keeping that connection alive is vital in a remote working environment.
• The Importance of a Supportive Environment: While the idea of solo travel is often romanticised, I quickly learned the value of having a support system, whether it was family and friends back home, colleagues I met along the way, or the welcoming environment at a WeWork office. Having a reliable support network made the experience smoother and more fulfilling. Knowing I could lean on my team at EasyEquities for support, even from afar, gave me the confidence to keep going, no matter where I was in the world.
• Gratitude and Perspective: Finally, this journey reinforced the importance of gratitude. As much as I was learning and growing, I realised how fortunate I was to have the flexibility and resources to embark on this adventure. Travelling opens your eyes to different cultures and ways of living, offering a new perspective on life. The experience has made me more appreciative of the simple things, whether it's a productive workday in a new city or a simple conversation with someone you connect with. Gratitude grounds you and helps you stay present, even amidst the ever-changing world we live in.

By reflecting on these lessons, I’ve gained more than just new stamps in my passport, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of myself and what it takes to balance work and life in meaningful ways.

The Future of Work and Remote Opportunities

Remote work has fundamentally changed how we approach our careers. The ability to work from anywhere, whether it’s from home, a co-working space, or another country, opens up new horizons for both employees and businesses. Companies that embrace this flexibility not only boost employee satisfaction but also attract top talent who value autonomy and the freedom to explore new environments. This experience has shown me that pushing the boundaries of traditional corporate structures can lead to extraordinary personal and professional growth.

I am immensely grateful to my colleagues at EasyEquities for supporting me in this journey, and to WeWork for creating spaces that allow individuals like myself to work productively from anywhere in the world. But I am also incredibly proud of myself for taking this very daunting leap and trusting that things will always work out how they are meant to. Thank you to all my amazing friends who hosted me along the way and for all the support I had back home, this definitely made my journey that much easier.

What’s Next?

After months of travel, it’s time for me to get back into a routine - back to the gym, healthier eating habits after all the pastries in Europe, and a bit of downtime to recharge. But the lessons I’ve learned and the memories I’ve made will stay with me forever. And who knows where the next adventure will take me…

In saying this, it truly is incredible to be back home. There’s nowhere quite like South Africa - beautiful surroundings, great weather, and genuinely amazing people. It really is wonderful to return to such a special place and no doubt this will always be home.

I’m also super grateful to be part of such a supportive, forward-thinking company. After returning from overseas, I was fortunate enough to head to Johannesburg to celebrate EasyEquities’ 10th Birthday with the team last week. Being there, reminded me of the company’s inspiring journey and made me proud to contribute to a culture that values adaptability, growth, and the exploration of new ways of working. Here's to many more years of success, innovation, and making a difference!

To anyone considering a similar path, I encourage you to take the leap. Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to incredible opportunities you may never have imagined. “Embrace discomfort to reclaim your wild, happy, healthy self” - you will never regret these decisions.