Remote Work in the Post-Covid World: My Journey as a Web Developer

Hello! My name is Ion.

I am a web services developer and have been creating a variety of websites for over ten years. Before Covid, I always worked in offices. You could even say that I became an office worm. My life was like a hamster wheel: sleep, go to the office, work there, come back home, sleep again... and so on.

The only joy was brought by brief periods of vacation. On weekends, I never really wanted to travel. That is unless you consider a trip with my dog to a lake 5 kilometers away or a trip with my sister’s kids to the zoo as traveling.

Everything changed with the onset of the pandemic. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole world had to adapt, including the IT sector. As a web developer, I transitioned from traditional office life to remote work. I got the chance to explore countries, learn about cultures, and try to maintain and maybe even improve my previous productivity while continuing my professional activities.

A Nomadic Life Across Asia

When the pandemic struck, I began looking for a new work-life balance. The solution I found was to combine travel and work, a lifestyle known to all by the now-trendy phrase "digital nomadism.”

With my laptop and a reliable internet connection, I began my journey in Asia.

Bali

My first destination was Bali, Indonesia. Many colleagues recommended it to me as the love place of their lives. Well, I decided to listen. Lush landscapes, tranquil beaches, and vibrant culture provided an inspiring backdrop for my work. There's something special about writing code to the sound of the surf. Moreover, co-working spaces, like Dojo in Canggu, provide a sense of community and engagement, even for remote workers.

One day, while I was working in one of the local cafes, a funny story happened. Some monkeys living nearby decided to join me. One of them even tried to "help" me with my code, sitting right on my laptop. Of course, her interest was more in the berry dessert than in assisting me with my work tasks. But let's set that aside :).

The main thing is that the unexpected "assistant" attracted everyone's attention, turning an ordinary working day into something fun and unforgettable.

Vietnam

Next up was Vietnam. The bustling city of Ho Chi Minh offers modern amenities for digital nomads, with cafes providing high-speed Wi-Fi and delicious local cuisine. Sometimes even in the company of plump rats)) But in such places, I personally tried not to eat. The captivating landscapes of Da Nang and Hoi An made for great weekend spots.

Here, I encountered an unexpected problem. While working in one of the cafes, I found out that the staff spoke a version of English that I couldn't understand at all. As it turned out, they came to earn money from Bangladesh, which, along with India, is famous for its kindness, diligence, but utter confusion)) Trying to order coffee, I ran into misunderstandings several times until, eventually, I received a plate of rice instead of coffee. The main thing is that the workers had been assuring me with such zeal, saying "Cafe Okay," that there were no doubts about the correctness of my choice :)

This was a funny lesson that sometimes you need to use Google image search and visually demonstrate what you want on the screen :)!

Malaysia

Finally, Malaysia. The diverse architecture of Kuala Lumpur, from colonial influences to modern skyscrapers, mirrored the variety of tasks I performed daily. The city's fast-paced lifestyle, balanced by calming retreats in places like Langkawi, kept me toned and motivated.

In Malaysia, I learned that local customs can add to the workday. Once, while working in a communal space, I learned about a traditional Malaysian festival that includes a durian eating contest. I participated, and although durian turned out to be not the most pleasant fruit I have ever tasted. I would advise those who wish to repeat this experience to get a gas mask. However, participating in this local traditional festival added variety and fun to my workday.

I completely forgot about the breathtaking views from the panoramic rooftop pools of skyscrapers.

Don't Overdo the Exotic

Despite all the delights of Asia, I started to miss the familiar culture, food, and cleanliness. Drinking fresh coconuts, munching on sliced mango with pineapple - it's great, but sometimes you just crave a simple human pleasure like a toast with cheese and sausage, washed down with an espresso. Therefore, after saying thank you for the wonderful time to the Asian countries, I decided to move on.

Life and Work in Europe

After Asia, I returned to Europe, dividing my time between Poland and Germany and taking trips to Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Why exactly these countries? Actually, I don't have an answer.

Poland is a dynamically developing country with a great IT community, and Germany is a country of tasty beer and strict order, which I wanted to immerse in. Italy, Spain, and Portugal were chosen as beautiful warm locations with sea/ocean and beaches.

Poland and Germany

Both Poland and Germany offer a mix of historical charm and modern infrastructure. The ancient squares of Krakow and the Berlin art scene served as sources of creative inspiration. Co-working spaces like The Heart Warsaw and Factory Berlin allowed me to collaborate and interact with other digital professionals, helping to overcome the isolation of remote work. The mugs of consumed beer only brought me closer to people and were a source of generating new creative ideas:).

Trips to Italy, Spain, and Portugal

Periodically, I made trips to Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Working with a glass of sangria on a sunny terrace in Lisbon, in a bustling square in Barcelona, or at a serene winery in Tuscany. And let’s not forget Ibiza festivals with world-famous DJs. It’s a must-have experience. These trips offered both a change of scenery and inspiration. However, each visit was more than just a change of workspace - it was an opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, which helped expand my horizons.

Impact on Productivity and Team Connection

Throughout all my travels, I noticed that my productivity remained virtually unchanged. Adapting to different time zones or working in cafes instead of a specialized office couldn't throw me off. But remote work is not without its drawbacks.

What I miss is the emotional unity and camaraderie that occur when interacting with colleagues in the same physical space. Informal coffee breaks, direct brainstorming sessions, and joint celebrations of successes - these are aspects of office life that remote work cannot reproduce. Although digital tools help us stay connected, they cannot fully replace personal interaction.

Conclusion or what I have in common with James Bond

My journey as a web developer working remotely in the post-COVID world has been and continues to be both a reward and a challenge. It has allowed me to travel and explore different cultures while maintaining the growth of my career.

Despite the lack of physical interaction with the team, the experience gained and refined adaptability more than compensate for this. On the other hand, reflecting back, I realize how dull the office world was, confined within four walls, albeit very convenient modern office buildings.

Can I ever return to office life?! I answer with the words of James Bond: "Never say never!". Perhaps the next virus that will strike the human planet will be the loneliness virus, and being alone will simply be contraindicated. :)

On the other hand, I would terribly not want such a scenario because, thanks to remote work, life has definitely become brighter and more interesting. So, let’s enjoy together every moment of it. Life is so short.