Home for the Holidays: A digital nomads guide to surviving the holiday season at home

We all know spending the holidays at home after being away can be challenging. Your routine gets interrupted, you hear a lot of “when are you going to get a real job,” and sometimes your beliefs and lifestyle doesn’t quite mesh with your family’s. This guide will help you keep your sanity with 5 tips that can help you survive the holidays, and truly enjoy your time at home.

​Take time to yourself

Go to a coffee shop to work if your house gets too noisy. Or even if it’s not noisy and you don’t have any work, take a book and go sit by yourself for a bit. Or wander the mall by yourself and pick up some last minute gifts. More often than not, as a digital nomad, things can get lonely, but sometimes you get so used to the time by yourself it’s difficult to spend every waking hour with someone. There’s no shame in that.

Keep your routine

Did you wake up every day at 7 am to get a cup of coffee and spend time writing? Or do you like to answer emails at midnight every night with a cup of tea? Don’t forget about these routines while you are home. They will make you feel like you have some control over your life, even if mom wants you in bed by 11 every night.

Practice self care 

We hear this one all the time, but it is true. You need to take this time as an actual holiday. Take time off of work, close your laptop, turn your phone on silent, whatever you can do to take your mind off work. You can spend some extra time getting ready. Enjoy the fact that you don’t have to live out of a suitcase and have a full size bathroom for a week or two. Pull out all those fancy soaps you’ve gotten over the years, invite a friend over, and have a spa day. Trust me: taking the extra time to relish in the fact that you are home with indoor plumbing and great lighting with make you feel like a queen (or king). 

Sometimes it’s ok to walk away

Does your uncle keep going on and on about how great the border wall will be? Does you mom keep asking you when you’re going to get a “real job” (we’ve all heard it). Is your sister yelling at you because you’re taking too long in the shower? Sometimes it’s best to just smile and walk away. It’s ok to let some things slide, not everything needs to be a knock down drag out fight. Honestly, at the end of the day, your family is just happy you’re home.  ​

Remember to enjoy this time with your family

That’s what the holidays are all about right? Maybe you’ve spent the last 6 months abroad, or maybe you’ve only spent a few weeks at the next town over. Now is the time to spend with your family. Rent a movie you know your dad will enjoy, pick up ice cream one night for your mom, paint your nails with your sister. Spend this time doing things that make you and your family happy because who knows where you’ll be off to next. ​

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​Happy Holidays [free]lancers! Don't work too hard! 

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