Work Hard, Travel Harder with Suzanne of Vrije Meid

We all have thought about starting that business, or traveling the world, or making that blog or Instagram account, but for one reason or another, we’ve stopped ourselves. Suzanna, creator of the Vrije Meid blog about freedom and entrepreneurship, is balancing all of that. She’s a bit of an expert. She wrote the book on it after all.

Tell us about yourself and why you became a part-time digital nomad?

My name is Suzanne. I’m 31-years-old. I call myself a part-time digital nomad since I still have a house in the Netherlands, but I'm able to work remotely. For the last couple of years I have worked and travelled as a digital nomad for four months a year. I really love the freedom that remote work gives me. I can travel whenever I want to, because I can work wherever I want to. I can see the world and still earn money.

What motivated you to write Work Hard Travel Harder? Did you always want to write a book one day?

I have always wanted to write a book. I was always writing. When I was little, I wrote in a diary, and I started blogging in 2009. I always knew that I wanted to write a book one day, but I didn't know the topic until 2019. Since I had already written a lot of blogs about digital nomadism and had given an Instagram course about this topic, I came up with the idea to write an ebook about 'how to become a digital nomad'. I love to share my story and to inspire people to create a life full of freedom as well! The ebook lead to the idea of a 'real' book.

You’re self-employed, you blog, you co-own your own PR agency. How do you manage a variety of work and manage to create content, run a business, and balance that along with just enjoying life and travel?

I love structure! Otherwise, I couldn't do it all! I have 'theme days' for every day of the week. For example: on Monday I blog. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I do PR. And I have written my book on Wednesday. When I'm abroad, I always give myself limited time to complete a task. I really believe in Parkinson's Law: people use all the time they have. So give yourself a deadline, work smarter, and enjoy some free time afterwards! 

What has been the most rewarding part about writing Work Hard Travel Harder?

The finish line haha! I really love to write, but holding the book in my hands is the best reward. When my readers tell me that my book has changed their lives — even a tiny bit — or that they dared to try it themselves because of my book, that will be the best feeling! 

What was the journey like writing your own book? How was it different from creating your blog?

The writing part is quit the same. You come up with an idea, you make a structure, you write. With a book, the writing is just the beginning. After writing comes editing, design, publishing, sales, marketing. I have even organized a book launch with a press event.

Also, a book is so much bigger than a blog. It's harder to see the big picture, to keep a helicopter view. But that is really important, otherwise you will get lost in the process. 

What do you say to those who want to work and travel but aren’t sure how to even start?

Start! It's not as hard as you may think. But start small. Don't quit your job, start a business and sell your house all at once. You don't have to travel for two years to experience the freedom. I always tell people to start with a workation close to home. For example: fly to Barcelona for two weeks and see how working remote feels to you. 

You have such a large audience and community following Vrije Meid. Can you tell us more about the community?

VrijeMeid.nl has just passed 30.000 unique visitors in January. Hooray! I really love that the community is growing, that working remotely is becoming more mainstream. It gives people freedom and makes them happier. I would love to meet more readers. I will meet some of them during my book launch. I would love to hear reader's stories, so please contact me and share yours.

What are you working on next?

I will launch a 'next step' course this Spring. Some readers will be able to start their own business and work remotely. Others will need help. I want to be there for them and help them fulfill their dream. The course will consist of a big 1:1 live part, and a smaller 'general' part with lots of information and tips. Stay tuned! Besides that, I will continue to grow my blog VrijeMeid.nl, grow my PR agency and maybe... a second book one day?

Oh, and last but not least: a new workation to Morocco!