I came to Bali because I've been joking about working remotely from here for years. Every employer got the pitch from me "We should set up a Bali office." Nobody bit. So, when I started Little Big Deal, the real plan was simple; build something that lets me work from anywhere. Five years later – three as a side hustle, two full time – I'm finally here, testing whether the dream actually lives up to the hype.
Spoiler alert, it does. But not for the reasons I expected.
The routine
I'm staying in a co-living co-working space in Canggu. I picked this area because I've been here before and know how to navigate it. What I can't find, I feel comfortable and safe finding.
My days have a rhythm I didn't expect to build so quickly. I wake before my co-livers (they're on US/European time, I'm on Australian), grab a coffee, and do an hour of work. Then the gym, shower, breakfast while listening to my usual news podcasts like The Squiz and The Morning Edition. Five solid hours of work, then I'm done. Pool. Dinner – either with someone I've met or alone with a book. Early to bed.
It's boring. It's perfect.
The people
What surprised me most is the community. I've made friends at the gym. Found a favourite dance instructor. Been on dates with people I met in real life (not an app!). Met a publisher at a rooftop bar and stayed until well after sunset. Joined a random group tour from Facebook (booking another for this weekend) and now have enough friendly faces to welcome me back after four days exploring other islands.
This beats going home to an empty, cold house in Melbourne winter. It beats eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner alone at my desk.
What's changed and what needs to change
Every day I wake up and decide what I feel like doing. My calendar is obligation-free. I'm not stretched thin. And I've realised that's exactly what I needed.
The creative ideas for clients are back. The media angle and content is writing itself while I stare at the ocean. My energy is back.
I've remembered that I'm fun and funny, adventurous, and spontaneous, strong, and capable.
I miss my dog (Alby's in good hands). I miss my pillow (the one my myotherapist fitted, yes, I'm that age). I miss silence while sleeping (the street clubs here are loud). But these are small prices.
The housekeeper keeps making towel animals at the end of my bed. I can't bring myself to disturb them because that's exactly how Alby would sleep.
But do you know what I’ve noticed the most? Is that we’re all moving too fast.
I feel like I’m officially on Bali time and I’m acutely aware of how fast others are moving back home. The rapid-fire Slack messages asking whether you’ve seen the email from an hour ago (no I haven’t), the requests to turn around strategic proposals in less than 48 hours, the same message being sent across multiple platforms in case you don’t see it on your email (which is exploding anyway), having multiple pieces of content in the air with not enough working hours to finish the one well.
The multiple group chats, being added to more group chats, peeling out from group chats. We don’t need it. Just pick up the phone and call.
Do you want it done fast or do you want it done well? Do you want it done by AI or do you want it done by a human?
I am also finding myself saying just call me. It’s wild that we need five emails to set up a call. I’m thoroughly enjoying just picking up the phone and trying someone. And vice versa.
So far so good
I didn't know exactly what question I wanted answered when I came here. I just knew I wanted a change of scenery and to know whether I could actually hack it.
I can feel my shoulders relaxing, my heart rate coming down, my energy improving.
One week in, the answer is clear: I can. I am. And I'm not overthinking what comes next.
