I've hacked together an anti procrastination browser plugin which blocks blacklisted pages and displays a dashboard with the alternative actions:
- a todo list - maybe I can do this small chore now?
- a break timer - maybe it's time to break?
- and some simple statistics to shame me into not going through.
If I want to go through for some reason I can solve simple adding task, which is ok when I really need to, but stops me when I am procrastinating.
It's a first version, and one of many such plugins, but it's specifically tailored to my needs. Maybe someone will find it helpful. It's here: https://addons.mozilla.org/pl/firefox/addon/instead/ and here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/instead/bokgngfmhc...
Still doing it, but the pandemic forced me to stay in one country for just about a year now.
In that year I put down roots, got long term visas and maybe will spend another few years there while we see how things shape out this and next year.
But ya, 2-3 months minimum in a place is what you need, with just a small backpack.
Make local friends.
Don't hang around or go out with other tourists or expats. This is the kiss of death.
Make it a rule to eat only the food of the city or the country that you find yourself in.
Learn a few words of the language "hello", "thank you", "bathroom", "stop", etc.
Don't think people are less than you. They're not. They want the same things as you.
As an introvert, being forced to make friends with people who speak another language and look the opposite of me (black guy in Asia), was exactly the ticket.
Well recommended to do it.
The main thing I would say - is have a mission when you travel. Seeing the sights and drinking the bars and mingling with other tourists and shtupping the local girls is fun, but not a mission.
You will get bored after some time of doing that.
Have some particular work or meaning to each day to keep you grounded, and you can do the moving around for a super-long time.
You will find that you'll set some schedules for work, play and discoveries - regardless of where you are.
Just don't quit your job. Instead go remote (even if you have savings). Ok?
1. Not every job is suitable to do while traveling. Especially if it's kind of unstable like early stage startups. Putting of fires at work on a flaky internet connection while sweating from heat is not that fun and leaves you quite exhausted. It's also hard to plan for anything more serious, if you have to be available when anything breaks.
2. You really need to stay in one place much longer when having a job (2-3 months), as you will have much less free time to enjoy wherever you are.
3. If you work 5 days a week it will limit you excursions into less developed places (with really bad internet) to only 2 days. Quite often these places are what's the best about area you are in.
4. I think going out with expats is not a complete no, no. Just don't do that exclusively. You can get some great tips and avoid many stupid mistakes thanks to other fellow travelers. Especially when you are in a new place that's really different from what you already know.
5. Try to connect with people as much as possible. At the end of the day, that's what you'll remember and what will affect you the most.