Travel changes us in ways large and small. These stories explore how intentional planning, mindful traveling, and meaningful reflection can evolve a trip from a checklist into a transformational experience. 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.