My Digital Nomad Story: One Month After I Quit My Corporate Job

My Digital Nomad Story: One Month After I Quit My Corporate Job

By DAN FORTEZA

In case you don’t know me yet, I am Daniel Forteza from the Philippines. And yes, I quit my corporate job exactly a month ago to pursue becoming a digital nomad. I am writing this today to assess myself how far I’ve come and, of course, share this blog with you as a guide if you are also in the same shoes as mine wanting to live the life you’ve always dreamed of.

Fluor Daniel Inc Philippines 辞职去旅行 quit job to travel
Workstations inside the office building at Fluor Philippines | Dantravels.org

So let me make it simple. If you are wanting to:

    • escape the 9-to-5 rat race
    • work where and when you want
    • make money while you travel
    • spend more time with your loved ones

Don’t worry, you are not alone! Everyone feels the same way. Yes, most of the people I’ve talked to do not want to spend the rest of their adulthood working in a traditional 9-to-5 day job. They would prefer to build their own stream of income and enjoy life! But the problem is, they don’t know how to start.

As they say, life is too short to work for someone else’s dream!

However, is becoming a digital nomad the solution? What is a digital nomad, anyway?

According to Wikipedia – “Digital nomads are a type of people who use telecommunications technologies to earn a living and, more generally, conduct their life in a nomadic manner.” People who become digital nomads often do so for positive reasons, such as financial independence and a career that allows for location independence.

This kind of lifestyle could be one of the solutions if a person wants to travel and work remotely at the same time. All you need is a working laptop and an internet connection. Does that sound good to you? If yes, then welcome to the digital nomad wanna-be club!

But before I go further, let me first have a brief introduction of myself.

My Digital Nomad Story: I quit my job to travel
My workstation as an Engineer at Fluor Philippines | Dantravels.org

I am a mechanical engineering graduate. I have been working for more than 7 years in a good-paying engineering firm in the southern side of Metro Manila, Philippines. It is a typical 9-to-5 corporate job setup. It can be both very stressful and boring at times. It was also worth mentioning that it was my very first job after graduating from college. Nevertheless, I got to the point where I told myself – ‘this is enough!’ A part of me tells me to do something different and follow what I love before I hit the age of 30 (I just turned 29 today). I am single, by the way, so I guess I get more motivated to explore more while I’m not committed to any relationship.

Quitting a job, however, was never easy. I had to evaluate it a hundred times. But because REGRET is something I do not want to face in my late 20’s, I told myself to quit my day job and give remote works a try for at least a year and let’s see from there how it goes.

I’m no digital nomad yet but I always aspire to be one someday, or at least a simple remote worker will do.

So let me tell you the steps I took before I finally submitted that resignation letter.

Steps I Did Before Quitting My Job

Step #1. Save, Save, And Save!

This does not require much explanation. If you do not intend to be a corporate slave for the rest of your life and break free to financial freedom while traveling, you basically need to SAVE. Saving before you step into the nomadic world is one of the most important pieces of advice I could give you.

Since you are eyeing a digital nomadic lifestyle, you need to set aside savings to buy your own laptop, internet connection, etc. Another thing you can do is to make a conscious effort cutting down on your spending. Reduce your living expenses as much as you can. Stop buying stuff you don’t need!

As for me, I believe I have ample savings and emergency fund to keep me going for the next couple of months. But of course, being digital nomads that we intend to be, I need to find a way to create a steady flow of income once I quit my day job.

As they say, it is not fun paying bills from your own savings!

Step #2: Create A Travel History

It was November 2015 when I decided to go on solo backpacking to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was the first time I received a stamp on my passport. Fast forward to January 2019, I now have visited 21 countries (and counting)! It was indeed an exciting journey in the span of almost 4 years, not to mention that I only have a weak or third-world-country passport.

Within the busy world of engineering works and in regards to meeting deadlines, it is however not easy to simply file a time-off whenever a travel bug bites you. What I do is whenever there is a holiday or light-loaded tasks at the office, I go on a trip. The shortest vacation I’ve experienced was a 4-day trip to Taiwan while the longest one was a 14-day trip to South America covering the countries of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. It was a tight schedule but you should know that I’ve sacrificed my Christmas vacation in order to go halfway around the world and make my South American trip a reality. For us Catholics, Christmas and New Year are the best time to get together alongside with family and friends and I had to miss that a couple of times.

Read also: My 14-day trip to South America with budget breakdown.

While traveling abroad, I have been influenced and inspired by so many open-minded people whom I met and traveled with along the way. Not only is a travel history built, but you are also making connections and collecting a pocketful of memories, may they be good or bad.

If finding people to connect with is a challenge for you, you can go ahead and join platforms of travel and language exchange communities such as CouchsurfingTandem, and ConnectPals. I think that the world is so connected now that we can create a virtual friendship with people no matter what their languages and racial backgrounds are.

Read also the top 5 FREE penpal and language exchange sites that worked for me best!

Step #3. Create A Travel Blog

Not only that you can share to the world your travel experiences or simply vent out your feelings but you can also monetize your blog if contents are sufficient enough.

I should tell you that I do not have any background in website design and coding, but I did manage creating a blog on my own. The information is simply out there. Take YouTube for example: there are a lot of resources on website development providing you easy to follow step-by-step tutorials.

With this newly-minted knowledge, I created my own blog called ‘Dan Travels’ using the WordPress builder where I write guides in getting visas and travel itineraries. I have only started the blog this past February 2019 where I immediately applied for Google Adsense in the hope to monetize my blog through running ads (especially if readers are clicking ads). Unfortunately, a week after my application, I got its feedback denying my application due to insufficient content. So then I took my time writing good articles and of course, I never gave up. With five blog articles already published in my blog, I applied for Yahoo!’s Media.net and Infolinks ads which are known alternatives to Google Adsense. I was approved within 24 hours. I then re-applied to Google Adsense and got also approved within 24 hours.

With Google Ads running in my website, I made US$120.69 in the month of April which is enough to pay my rent of apartment and utility bills. I’m no expert blogger but this is a good start!

As they say, blogging is a very ‘nomadable’ career.

My first earning as a Digital Nomad One Month after I quit my Job
My earning from Google Adsense last April | Dantravels.org

Step #4. Break Into Freelancing Jobs

I’ve earned my very first dollar online being a transcriber at GoTranscript last March 2019. As a transcriber, I convert English audio files to its equivalent written words. If you are familiar with movies with subtitles, those subtitles were encoded by transcribers or transcriptionists. It is, however, a challenge to transcribe audio with parts mostly inaudible or hardly understood due to background noises.

Read also how I started working as a Transcriber at GoTranscript.

There are other freelancing and remote jobs you can find but of course, it depends on your set of skills. To be honest, I find it hard getting a freelancing job suited to a person like me who has an engineering background. It is not a very in-demand online job skills like web design or IT. But as they say, there is always room for learning other skills.

Read also how I started earning online as a Remotasker.

For the benefit of sharing, here are some of the legit freelancing websites you can consider applying for. I have yet to discover most of them.

(Click “+” below to see websites.)

    • Upwork.com
    • Peopleperhour.com
    • Fiverr.com
    • Guru.com
    • Truelancer.com
    • Freeeup.com
    • Freelancer.com
    • Golance.com
    • Onlinejobs.ph
    • Myoutdesk.com
    • Mturk.com
    • Zeerk.com
    • 199jobs.com
    • Outsourcely.com
    • Hubstaff.com
    • Raket.ph
    • 51talk.com
    • Acadsoc.ph
    • Bizmates.ph
    • Rarejobs.com.ph
    • Cambly.com
    • Limlessons.com
    • Bibo.com.ph
    • Nicetalk.com
    • Ipalfish.com
    • Gotranscript.com
    • Transcribeme.com
    • Scrible.com
    • Verbit.ai
    • Rev.com
    • Peechpad.com
    • Civimom.com
    • Appenonline.appen.com.au
    • Waywithwordsjobs.com
    • Accutranglobal.com
    • Crowdsurfwork.com
    • Verbalink.com
    • Workshop.castingwords.com
    • 99designs.com
    • Toptal.com
    • Themeforest.net
    • Envato.com
    • SproutGigs.com
    • Analysia.com
    • Enrollapp.com
    • Startuplift.com
    • Testingtime.com
    • Trymyui.com
    • Userfeel.com
    • Userlytics.com
    • Usertest.oi
    • Usertesting.com
    • Utest.com
    • App.whatusersdo.com
    • Capitaltyping.com
    • Tv.microworkers.com
    • Voicebunny.com
    • Voices.com

Step #5: Get A US Visa

If you have a weak passport like mine, I’m sure you’ll understand.

Acquiring a US visa makes one’s passport mightier as it opens new doors to other countries. So I told myself before I file my resignation and pursue the digital nomad lifestyle, I should first get a US visa.

I had been in the company for more than 7 years, had been to several countries, and had ample savings. Because of these factors, I believe I had a good chance of getting a 10-year valid US visa. As a result, I was successful in getting a 10-year multiple entry visa in March 2019. Click HERE to read my blog on how I got my 10-year US visa.

So take advantage of your valid US visa if you have one, especially if you’re from a developing country or third-world-country like me. HERE is a good article I found online specifying those additional visa-free countries if you have a valid US visa.

Step #6. Create An E-Commerce Website

An e-commerce website is simply an online store. You do product research, create a website, have an inventory, advertise your products or drive traffic to your website, and then you make your first sale. No inventory is needed if you’re in a dropshipping operation.

In my case, I started creating my e-commerce website in the first week of April which was also my last week at work. Again, there are loads of tutorials you can find on YouTube on how to build your online store. This is typically built using either the platforms of Shopify or Woocommerce.

Because I have heard great stories that one can make 5 to 7 figures (USD) a month in the e-commerce industry, I was very hopeful this will give me a fortune. However, I won’t deny this is a very difficult industry to break into and this requires your full-time attention, especially if you’re just starting. Though I have not made any sales as of this writing, I was glad to gain basic skills specific to e-commerce – from building an online store to running Facebook ads.

I am currently still improving my online store, let’s see how it goes in the next couple of months. But I’m not holding my breath!

Road Blocks I’ve Encountered After I Quit My Job

I was no exemption to encountering roadblocks hindering my way after quitting my job. It was tougher than I have ever imagined. I’ll be discussing them below.

Road Block #1: Adjustment Is Very Depressing

Adjusting to staying home can be very depressing and lonely as a bit isolating at times. I solely rent a small apartment near the office where I used to wake up 5:40 in the morning, then showered and left my apartment at 6:30 AM for work. I’ll be missing those days even though every morning I wished I could have stayed longer in bed and was not tied up to an early schedule.

Now that I am officially resigned, I often go for a 5-minute walk from my apartment to reach this huge shopping mall and work on my laptop in any coffee shop around.

I agree, depression is real and we need to fight this! We need to have a good support system, especially from our immediate family. When I told my brother I’d quit my job to go traveling but will probably be struggling in the next 3 months, he replied ‘If it makes you happy, go for it. Help is always here.’

My sister from the north side of Metro Manila offered me a room at her place and said I can always stay there for as long as I want. She runs a small eatery business and I never worry about food whenever I’m at her place.

Simple things like this brighten up one’s life who is experiencing the downside of life. As they say, having a supportive family is very important.

Road Block #2: Losing Motivation and Focus

No doubt, I love weekends of procrastination, but things are changing now since I left my job.

In times of losing motivation and focus, I question myself – ‘How do I keep myself motivated?’ I’m sure you’ll ask this as well along the way so be prepared.

Well, there are many blogs, podcasts, and Facebook groups out there where you can get daily motivation.

You know yourself better than anyone, so you know what helps keep you motivated. Maybe it is knowing you can have a beer at the end of the day, or listening to happy Spotify music playlist while you work, or knowing that you’re working on building your dream life. Whatever it is that keeps you motivated, keep doing it.

Click here to tweet You know yourself better than anyone, so you know what helps keep you motivated.

So, stop watching the Game of Thrones, and focus on what needs to be done!

Fine…I love GoT probably as much as you do, but what I am trying to say here is if you really are serious about being a digital nomad then you need to stop procrastinating and invest your free time to build connections, grow your freelance portfolio and learn as much as you can.

Road Block #3. Fear of Risks

You must embrace some level of discomfort if you want to create interesting work and work that you love.

However, fear of taking the risk is always going to be there. I myself have a lot of ‘what ifs’ in my mind – ‘What if I fail?’, ‘What if this doesn’t go well?’, or ‘What if people laugh at me for taking a different path?’ So many uncertainties to be feared for!

But how can you trust yourself enough to step into the unknown until you try?

I took one of the biggest risks of my life a month ago. Instead of continuing the traditional a 9-to-5 job, I decided to take a break and pursue a meaningful work for me. So why can’t you? Why don’t you list down all your fears and start mitigating them? I think that’s one of the steps you need to evaluate first.

Don’t think too far into the future when you decide to take action. Use what you have right now and take that calculated risk to advance your work.

But whatever your decision is – taking that risk or not, I am going to be here for you. I understand because I have fear, too.

My Final Say

If you have a dream, do something and work for it! I am nowhere near any success yet but at least I am trying. I have a long way to go and expect a lot of failures down the road. But no matter how slow and small my progress is, still it is progress. So keep working on yours, too.

There are bigger mountains to climb. There might be a huge learning curve in climbing each mountain, but I assure you the view at the top is very worth it.

So yeah, let’s do this!

Leave A Comment.

All in all, let me know what you think about this post! I’d love to hear your thoughts.

This Post Has 58 Comments

  1. Ranford

    Hey Dan, great post! So happy that you’ve taken this leap of faith and I admire your courage 🙂 Keep pressing on, you have my support too! 😉

    1. dantravels

      Thank you, Ranford! I don’t know what to say but I’ll try my best to work harder.

  2. Grace

    “You know yourself better than anyone, so you know what helps keep you motivated.”
    That’s true. You’re an inspiration. Thanks! ?

    1. dantravels

      Awww. Thank you so much, Grace.

    2. red

      “You know yourself better than anyone, so you know what helps keep you motivated.” It is very true. I hope people understand that as well as parents who try to dictate what you should do with your life.

      1. dantravels

        Glad you could relate to these powerful words! And thank you for your comments.

        Hugs from Thailand,
        Daniel

  3. sharon

    Hi Dan,
    Good choice! Follow your dreams! If your happy in what your doing everything will fall into place. Keep moving forward and never regret any decision you’ve made. I admire people like you who who are not afraid to pursue what they love to do. Keep it up and keep blogging and sharing your journey. You are inspiring young people as you travel.
    Btw, i just saw your blog in my google daily news and was captivated by how detailed your south america travel was and got interested in reading some of your blogs.
    Travel as far as you can and as long as you can. Share your experience to the world. If by chance try to do emmersion so you will also learn the culture and tradition in each place you visit its a very good experience to share to everyone.

    1. dantravels

      Sharon, thank you so much! I almost cried reading your comment. I’m speechless. Cultural immersion is something I’d love to do in the near future. Again, thank you. Your words mean a lot to me.

  4. Nancy abriam

    Hi dan, na amaized ako sa story mo, since ako din gusto na maging aventurer traveler. Kaso no enought money or financial. Tatlo palang ang na puntahan ko na country time na nagwowork ako. Now i want na lumabas ulit ng country natin pero worried lang baka kc ma offload sa immig sa subrang higpit nila. Can u help me naman it comes sa interview aa immig. Anyway malayo na ang topic na ito sa sitwasyon. But i am asking to guide po.
    Thank u

    1. dantravels

      Hi Nancy, glad you liked my article. Thank you so much.
      In response to your query, normally they need to know if you have work or not. If you don’t have one, it could be a red flag from immigration so you need to make sure you’re prepared to give supporting details or documents. They normally would follow with questions like:
      -“do you have a return ticket?”
      – “how much money do you have now in order to travel?”
      -“show me your room accommodation bookings”
      -“show me your travel itinerary”

      Something like that. So you basically need to prove to them that you can travel. Our immigration is just protecting us from any sort of trafficking.

      Hope this helps!

  5. Sharmaine

    Very inspiring to read a story like this. At the beginning, I thought Dan was a foreigner (because i am a filipino) but when I read his introduction to his self (whooaaahh) it makes me want to read it more.. ? You inspire me a lot. ?

    1. dantravels

      Thank you so much Sharmaine! That is really my ultimate goal to INSPIRE people to follow their passion no matter the odds. I don’t expect people would go following what they love instantly because there are inherent risks attached, but with simple encouragement like this article is one big step to inspire them more!

      Again, thank you!

  6. Sharmaine

    I hope I can also find my motivation. I know myself but im also afraid to myelf. Thanks dan for this. You’re an inspiration to us. ? Keep on fighting. Also, thanks for sharing some freelancing websites. ?

    1. dantravels

      You are very much welcome, Sharmaine! Yes, keep on fighting! Aja!

  7. Jeomar Villanueva

    Inspiring and very helpful… Thank you for the tios and encouragement to pursue?… This is a very big help for me like a beginner and love travelling…

    1. dantravels

      Aww.. thank you Jeomar! I wish you all the best on your travel endeavors! We can do it! =)

  8. Faye Carumba

    Inspired again. Thank you for this blog..
    God bless you and more inspirational blogs to come! Worth reading!

    1. dantravels

      Thank you, Faye! I am so happy that I am inspiring numbers of people around the world!

  9. JET

    What you did is truly INSPIRING! your blog site is also Lit!
    Thank you for this blog.

    🙂

    1. dantravels

      Thank you, Jet!
      Hugs from Sri Lanka ?? 🙂

  10. Sheila

    This is soooo inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story. I have no idea travel blogging can be lucrative, akala ko yung mga “influencers” with many followers lang ang kumikita sa blogging. I’m curious, nowadays how much do you earn sa ads? Also hoping that you could share what happened sa ecommerce site. ? Your story inspires me in a way knowing that Filipinos can “do it.”

    1. dantravels

      Thank you, Shiela! To inspire people to follow their passion is actually my ultimate goal.

      Anyhow, I haven’t been writing blogs in the past few months because I’ve been traveling in Asia (follow me on Instagram to see my travel photos). Thus my ads earnings were down to less than 100 USD. And I’ve shut down my eCommerce website since I’ve been busy.

      Hugs from Delhi, India
      Daniel

  11. Ronaldo

    Very inspiring! I hope to meet (virtual) more people like you Dan or maybe we can start a community of Digital Nomads.

    1. dantravels

      Thank you, Ron. I know you from my Facebook Travel page! Nice to see you here, too.

      There are actually a few Digital Nomads groups I am following on Facebook.

      Sign me up if you ever made one! 🙂

  12. Enzo

    Hi Dan! Happy New Year! I read your article initially in Tripzilla and learned about your journey towards becoming a Digital Nomad. It’s really inspiring; keep it up!

    I also have a blog (a travel food one), which has been running since the start of 2018 (I started with an FB page then migrated to a Web site by October of 2019). I’ve been thinking of monetizing it. I read that you applied and reapplied for Google AdSense. May I know how many entries do you have before getting approved? Thanks!

    1. dantravels

      Happy New Year, Enzo!

      Go for it! Make sure you have Contact page, and Privacy policy page (Required kasi yun para maaprove.)

      I remember I just had 10 articles (all about my visa application experiences.)

      Good luck and let me know how it goes!

      1. Enzo

        Thanks for your prompt response! I’ve been checking Privacy Policy pages. Where did you pattern yours? (Sa iba kasi ang haba’t kumplikado. I noticed that yours is simple.)

        1. dantravels

          Hi Enzo! I just Googled it and came across with a very simple Privacy policy page. There are also samples that are too long and detailed. I don’t remember what site it was.

          But it actually doesn’t matter how short or how long it is.

          1. Enzo

            Hi Dan! I Just got approved by Google AdSense and was able to run ads in my website. Thank you for the help!

            How many weeks or months did it take for your ads to generate a significant revenue?

          2. dantravels

            Congratulations Enzo! Wow! Maybe we can write in collaboration in the near future.

            As for the ads revenue, I’m afraid I would have to keep it to myself for now =)

            But please do continue writing and writing! Also, you need to be aware of SEO! SEO is so powerful so that your website and articles are optimized and searchable on Google or other search engines.

          3. Enzo

            A collaboration sounds nice! 🙂

            I was hoping to have an idea or a timeline about when ads pick up. So I would know if I’m doing it right. But that’s okay 🙂

            I’m also working on SEO. Any recommended reads on it?

  13. JM Gacita

    Never stop dreaming. Nka inspire din story mo sir. ? I hope someday ako rin.

    1. dantravels

      Thank you, JM! I’m still in awe every time I received comments like this. I’m always going to be grateful for how I made you guys “inspired” in any way I can. Kaya mo din yan. Let’s inspire one another! Keep in touch.

  14. Juan Carlos

    Hi Dan,

    Your story is so inspiring and this is a great example of getting out of your comfort zone in order to find success in life.
    I still remember the time when I first met you in one of our project that was hold by the Client, you already got me because of your good attitude and great mind at the same time. As a novice engineer that time, I saw already the courage inside you cause you can conquerred the things that sometimes you cannot comprehend. That courage is now growing and finding its way to conquer the world. Don’t stop believing that your dreams will come true, share your knowledge and keep inspiring others.

    Thanks and best regards,
    JC

    1. dantravels

      Sir JC!

      Thanks for stopping by. This is overwhelming especially coming from a great and selfless mentor like you. Thank you for those kinds words–I’m beyond grateful.

      I also remember the time I was talking to you about maps and geography stuff which were probably nonsense to you. But you probably figured it’s also something I’m very interested in. I’m just happy giving the other side of me a chance to take over and conquer the lands and continents one step at a time.

  15. Jun David

    Hi Dan, nice move! I wanted to change my life style too, I’m a call center agent right now but I dont want to stay in that way. I am afraid that when I reach the age of 30 I will find my self regretting that i fail to try what I wanted to do, thanks for information and tips, I will save all this lecture inside my mind and my heart, again thank you ?

    1. dantravels

      Thank you, Jun. I feel emotional because I felt the same way as you do now. The word “REGRET” is very triggering to me.

      Just don’t give up. I tell you this because you will encounter so many barriers as you pave your way in following what you love. But it’s worth a try and you’ll never know.

      Anyhow, let’s do this together. Keep in touch.

  16. Analyn

    Wow..very amazing journey.. hope to be someone like you soooon… Very inspiring and i got some trivia on your blogs…. Godbless.

    1. dantravels

      Thank you so much, Analyn. You can do it too. Just have a leap of faith. Give what you really wanted to do a chance!

  17. tinpinkypot

    Wow!! Very inspiring story sir, actually it is one of my dream job to do what you are doing for a living. To work remotely and travel the world. We are very fortunate to have these big blessings and opportunities in the digital world. It’s up to us to use it wisely. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story especially the tips and advice. I am currently a part time College Instructor at a State university here in Pampanga, because of the hot weather I am sometimes having hard time commuting to school because of my health condition. Take care especially of Ncovi pandemic. God bless

    1. dantravels

      Thank you Tinpinkypot! I love reading comments like this. I am so happy I am inspiring a lot of people like you. Take care as well. This too shall pass. =)

      Hugs from Egypt,
      Dan

  18. Van

    hey Dan! You got me greatly inspired by your story. I’m a full time worker and the idea of escaping the rat race is a dream that I want to be a goal too. Question, after this COVID issue, where do you plan to travel next?

    1. dantravels

      Hi Van,

      I’m happy another person is inspired by this post.

      Not sure when this Covid-19 crisis will end but I intend to stay in Thailand or its neighboring country until September 2020 to finish my ‘gap year’ of digital nomadism. And then might settle back to the Philippines? I really don’t know honestly! Time will tell.

      I’m currently in Thailand. Although I wanted to go back to the Philippines, I feel like I feel safer here. And besides, my flight has been canceled 3 times already! Haha.

      I hope you are safe and well.

      Hugs from Thailand,
      Dan

      1. Van

        My family is safe and well here in Philippines. Thanks for the concern Dan! Hope you are safe and well there too. Yeah there is no telling when will this pandemic will end. I’m currently searching for online jobs to sustain my daily living and looking unto your reviews on Gotranscript and remotasks. Anyway, I hope to hear more from you about travelling in Thailand because I hear plenty of good feedback from my friends who have been there. I am planning to save and travel there probably next year, staying there for about a month to have a jump start towards being a digital nomad too 🙂
        Godbless and more travels,
        Van

  19. ปั้มไลค์

    Like!! Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.

  20. Ser

    Woaahh.Nice. I wish I can do such too in the near future, maybe a year from now, hehe

  21. Athan

    Hey Dan! I just saw your latest post in IG and decided to read you blog. I’m speechless! You took a leap of faith and I admire you for that! Don’t stop what you’re doing! You’re an inspiration to me and to eveyone. I feel lucky to meet someone like you. One of these days I hope to find the courage to leave the rat race and do what I love most! Stay safe and Godbless!

    1. dantravels

      Thank you, Athan!

      Glad you find this blog inspiring. Please know that I am grateful I got a chance to work with a down-to-earth person and talented engineer like you. Hope to see you again and the rest of the team.

      Hugs from Thailand,
      Dan

  22. Leslie

    That was long but worth it! Im inspired mainky of your courage to step out of your comfort zone and face the unknown. the thing i am so afraid of doing. Keep it on! We shall meet one day!

    1. dantravels

      Thank you, Leslie. Was it that long? So happy you feel inspired by my story. And yeah, we shall! =)

  23. Laila Ngo

    Thank you Dan. I have so many fears especially on the risk side. This really makes me think.

  24. Jericho

    This is very inspiring Dan. I’m wondering what happens to you ecommerce now.hehe
    Anyway. I learned so many things in this blog. Very helpful.
    More power to you.

    1. dantravels

      Hi Jericho, I am no longer managing it.
      Glad you find this blog helpful! =)

  25. Alex

    Very inspiring 🙂 I love traveling also but my goal is to stay in an island which is far from what I’m used to now. I would love to read and know more about the jobs / hustles you took and still doing in order to provide for your needs! Thank you for writing this. Take care and God bless!

    1. dantravels

      Thanks Alex! Hugs from Thailand.

  26. Jenina Tiglao

    Hi, Dan! I could say that it was a most wanted coincidence to have read your blog post. I am also a computer engineer by degree, trying to earn and save money by doing a job I think would fit my profession. It makes me happy when I fulfill the work my job requires me to do. But I know the happiness I could have working on my dream job, as of this writing. I am a bit frustrated when I get to think of having no choice but to continue doing my current job, but I am using this journey and time to learn and be ready to pursue my dream job when it is time. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and journey! Keep traveling!

    1. dantravels

      I appreciate you sharing this, Jenina because a lot of my readers are going through the same thing. I wish you nothing but the best on your journey.

      And I will definitely keep traveling for as long as I can. =)

  27. Allan

    Hi, Dan. Glad to read your blog. Your story is inspiring. I was actually searching for a filipino digital nomad story of quiting job stuff then focus on travelling and how they do it. Then, I found this, perhaps its also a coincedence too that we are both Mechnaical Engineer by profession . Currently, I am working in Saudi and have a youtube channel (Lan Farming & Travel) and facebook page as well (Lan Travels). This week I am planning to create my own blog website. Hopefully, I will have the courage to the do same of quitting my job and become a fulltime digital nomad soon too. However, as of this writing I still have a lot of obligation, and my mother is also sick so I need to support her medical maintenance. Meanwhile, I will try to do travelling blog as partime and plan carefully for future action. I will take a look and read your other travel journey and your blog. Enjoy and have a great day. Thank you. Best of Luck.

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