alivewithad

A newsletter where you learn how to become a digital nomad from people who have been doing it for years.

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Hey champ,

Shagufta here! I’m ready with the 4th edition of alivewithad where I bring some of the best Digital Nomads to learn from.

Now, let me introduce the 4th guest of my newsletter!

Light, Camera and Action 🥁 👟🧗🏻‍♀️

Nomad of the Week is 🦘 Harshanki Thakker

Say hi to Harshanki Thakker👋🏻

I’m Harshanki Thakker. I’m an entrepreneur and public speaking coach with over eight years of experience in digital marketing and the startup world.

I founded Derest Marketing, my third business, where I help individuals build personal brands and grow their professional presence with tailored digital PR strategies - I’ve worked with 354 clients across 32 countries in the past 2 years.

For the past two years, I’ve been traveling full-time, managing my business remotely while visiting 14 countries and exploring 120+ cities.

Helping people find confidence in their communication is my true passion—whether it’s guiding corporate professionals, introverted teens, or YouTubers to become authentic speakers.

My journey has been shaped by resilience. Overcoming health challenges and embracing remote work has taught me the importance of balancing personal growth with meaningful impact.

When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me reading, exploring new destinations, or enjoying a good cup of coffee.

Nomad Story:

Q. How did you become a digital nomad?

After being bedridden for three months due to a slipped disc injury, I had a lot of time to reflect on my priorities and the kind of life I wanted. Once I recovered, I packed my bags, booked the cheapest flight I could find—Vietnam—and started my nomadic journey. Since then, I’ve never looked back and continued to explore the world while managing my business remotely.

Q. Highlight your favourite destination and tell us why.

Ulcinj, Montenegro, tops my list. This charming coastal town is 45 minutes from Albania and offers pristine beaches, excellent walkability, and reliable Wi-Fi, which is a must for my remote work. Spending a month there during summer was perfect—the liberty to take a midday swim while staying productive made it my favorite. Plus, the Central European timezone aligns well with my client base across the US, UAE, and India.

Q. The biggest challenges you’ve faced on the road.

As a vegetarian, maintaining a healthy diet while traveling was challenging at first. The limited options often meant sticking to bread or soups, which wasn’t sustainable. Over time, I’ve learned to research and plan ahead, finding local grocery stores and cooking meals when needed. Now, staying healthy is more manageable, but it took some trial and error.

Q. How do you balance work and travel?

I plan my travels strategically, usually taking longer flights over weekends to give myself time to settle into new places. A structured approach to work keeps me productive. For instance, I dedicate the first week of each month to client outreach and the last week to review meetings. Having a to-do list and fixed schedules allows me to stay focused while also enjoying my surroundings.

Q. Any unique skills or strategies you’ve developed while being nomadic?

Traveling has taught me to pack light and embrace minimalism. I now travel for months with just a carry-on suitcase, buying only essentials along the way. This shift has made me more disciplined, not just in packing but in life overall. I’ve also honed the ability to compartmentalize my focus, making my work hours hyper-productive while leaving room to fully enjoy my travels.

Pro Tips from the Nomad:

Productivity tip:

Don’t be too hard on yourself—it’s okay to miss out on certain things, whether it’s work tasks or personal experiences. Life happens, and you need to adapt. A reliable to-do list keeps me on track, and I always travel slow, spending weeks in one city or country to avoid burnout and maximize productivity.

Travel tip:

Travel light and slow. Opting for budget airlines with minimal luggage can save you a lot of money. Book accommodations on a weekly or monthly basis to reduce costs, and always invest in a local SIM card for connectivity. If possible, get a US, UK, or Canadian tourist visa—they often unlock access to 50+ additional countries with a weaker passport.

Tech/tool recommendation:

- Notion: My go-to for organizing travel plans, managing finances, and tracking work.

- Skyscanner and Kiwi: For finding affordable flights.

- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Agoda: For flexible and budget-friendly accommodations.

I would love to thank Harshanki for her contribution to our travel newsletter.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Nomad FAQs

The best option is freelance writing

I also started a freelance writer

As a digital nomad, you can write your own journey and also take projects as a freelance writer. You can create content for blogs, websites, and publications from anywhere. This niche will allow for creativity and flexibility in choosing projects and clients.

Freelancer business growth

Upskill. Always learn something new and apply it. Upskilling always helps you to achieve the best.

Nomad gear guide

Anker MagGo power bank

This portable power bank is essential for digital nomads who often face unpredictable power availability. It offers fast charging capabilities and has a usage indicator, ensuring that your devices remain powered during travel.

Work from anywhere deals

Nomad Village

Through Startup Madeira, the Madeira government developed a program in February 2021 to attract digital nomads for one to three months to Madeira Island by creating a Digital Nomad Village at Ponta do Sol, a village of 8,200 people on the southern coast. Registrants are provided with a list of local accommodations in furnished flats or hotels, free coworking space at the John dos Passos Cultural Center, exclusive events, and a Slack community. The program has had 15,000 registrants aged 18-80 from 133 countries with 8,100 who have visited the Portuguese island off the northwest coast of Africa.

The nomad life hack

Download Google Maps for Offline Use: To save on data while travelling internationally, download maps of your destination on Google Maps before you go.

Living a nomadic life isn’t easy and will probably never be.

But, with the right people and resources, anything is possible.

Thank you for reading the second edition of alivewithad!

I’ll see you next Sunday with another guest. Until then, keep travelling and keep exploring.

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