This essay-based on conversations with Ruth Faulkner34 year old digital nomad based in Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I am a digital nomad currently based in Adelaide, South Australia.
I trained as a journalist in London and began my career reporting on the Olympics in 2012 and 2016. I moved into content for Accenture and then joined a creative agency called Tonic, first as an account director and then as head of content.
In December 2023, I started my business Toucan Content specializing in content and communication strategy.
In 2022 my marriage broke up, and work became difficult
Two years ago, I dealt with myself Marriage ended While trying to show up every day for my large portfolio of clients at Tonic. I decided not to take a vacation when I probably needed to.
I was working to distract from my personal life. I also studied additional after-hours MBA essential courses to secure my role in the senior leadership team.
I hit a wall and froze Depressive episode. One day that December, I woke up and couldn’t get out of bed or stop crying. Eventually I decided to take two weeks of mental health leave and begin counseling. Most importantly, I gave myself some space to acknowledge my feelings.
The next challenge hit just as I was getting to my feet
In March 2023, I had an unplanned positive pregnancy test result. At that time — unhappy, upset, living in a shared house, and not in a long-term relationship — the decision to stay Abortion was clear.
I chose what was right for me and my body, but the process was mentally draining.
After all that happened so fast, I needed a change. I spent my whole career working for other people. I often worked 50-60-hour weeks and ignored any concept Work-life balance.
My last day of corporate work was in December 2023 and I started working for myself.
I decided to go to Australia
I grew up in a working class background Isle of Wight. Coming from somewhere so small, I became financially secure so seeing the world became a big priority.
Between the ages of 22 and 30, I traveled to more than 30 countries, most of which were with my ex-husband. Now, I want to solo travel.
I have very close friends in Australia, so I decided to go there in January to be with them. Finalizing a divorce, starting a business, moving around the world—dealing with just one of these things is emotionally and mentally draining. Facing all three felt like a mental burden at times.
This transition has been difficult but exciting. It feels like a new chapter of growth after trauma and disruption.
I took my business with me
I am on a working holiday visa, which is easy to manage. Working for me still requires energy and long hours, but only I determine the flow of my days.
One of the hardest things about working for the past two years was feeling like I couldn’t talk openly in the workplace for fear of being judged or seen as unprofessional. Living in secret with pain and trauma makes you feel even more alone.
Now, my business values are human and open in communication. I share my story regularly, and my clients work with me knowing who I am and what I stand for.
I have three freelancers who work with me part-time and extensive freelance contacts I can embed in my team if a particular client project requires it.
There is no typical day
I live with my friends in Port Noarlunga near the beach. There are some Cultural differences Between the UK and Australia, but they mostly feel smaller. I think the stand-out positive is that Australians respect and embrace work-life balance.
I start my day late and slow, catching up on all the emails and messages overnight. I am often disorganized during the day.
Often, around 3 o’clock, I take a break and go for a walk on the beach before the UK goes online. In the evenings, I take calls and meetings with the UK, collaborating with my clients and partners. I try to finish work by 10pm, I always have night owlAnd this suits me perfectly.
Part of becoming a Digital nomads Trying to see more of the world, and I try to embrace this by prioritizing time outside and exploring.
I am incredibly happy with the change in my life
I feel like I’ve embraced and embraced myself instead of trying to fit into a box.
I miss my family. My parents live in France, my grandparents are in the UK and my friends are all over Europe. With the time difference, costs and time required to travel, Australia can feel far away from everything, but so far, my life here has more than made up for it.
I’m the best now. It seems I was always meant to do this. I know there are tough sides to running a business, but the autonomy is the most gratifying thing. A 9-5 schedule is not conducive for me to feel passionate. Work now flows more naturally with my energy.
As for what’s next, I plan to go to Bali in 2025 and train to become a yoga teacher. I also hope to travel more widely around Australia and the Asia Pacific.
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