My client in Lisbon told me I was hiding in coworking spaces

Been doing this nomad thing for about 18 months, bouncing around Europe. I always worked from trendy coworking spots because that's what everyone says to do. After a month in Lisbon, a client I'd been working with for 6 months told me "you keep hiding in places that feel like an office instead of actually living here." He was right. I switched to working from local cafes in the morning and libraries in the afternoon, and my whole experience changed. Anyone else get called out on some habit they thought was the "right" way to nomad?

3 comments

3 Comments

willowc602mo agoTop Commenter

Well shoot, that client was onto something. We get so stuck doing what the "experts" say is the right way to be a digital nomad that we forget to actually live in the place. Coworking spaces are just offices with better coffee and worse chairs. I bet half the people in those places never even look out the window at the city they're in. Libraries are gold for real quiet focus, and cafes give you a feel for the local rhythm. You found the secret, and it's way cheaper too.

finleyk872mo ago

Why not just admit coworking spaces are overpriced cubicles with a view?

the_robert1mo ago

Not really, the whole point is getting out of your living space and into a place where you're actually supposed to work, not nap or watch TV. A library is fine for reading a book but try taking a zoom call there without getting the death stare from some old dude. Plus coworking spaces have actual printers, fast wifi, and other people around who might be useful to network with, which a cafe with a broken chair just can't compete with.