Fake Digital Nomad but a true Remote Work Advocate

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Meet Lily Bruns, Founder & Co-Host of Remote Commons. She is a content strategist, startup storyteller, and community builder whose bread and butter is consulting for startups focused on community building and events. She sees herself as a fake digital nomad since she is based in her hometown of Chiang Mai with three cats. 

Like many other people, Lily takes advantage of remote working and location independence as opportunities become available to live and work in the way that makes her happiest. Lily travels mainly for work or to visit family and friends scattered around the world.

Lily has become a remote work advocate with several initiatives, including writing a whitepaper on digital nomad visas and launching a cooperative platform for remote lifestyle advocacy. 

>>> Check out Lily's white paper update and be part of her research by filling out her survey. DM Lily on LinkedIn to be part of this project!

??How do you take care of yourself when nomading?

The nature of my work is dynamic and entrepreneurial. Therefore, my life works best with routine and structure to avoid constant chaos. I stick to regular Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, to save evenings and weekends for family time. 

That said, my days are pretty loosey-goosey. 

I learned a long time ago that I am most focused and productive in the mornings, so unless a deadline is urgent, I don’t push myself to work when my brain’s not cooperating. 

Standing lunch dates with friends is a big deal - I have to lock social life and self-care into my calendar, or I tend to let work fill all my free time. 

Blocking time is key to finding a life-work balance.

Since becoming a mom, I’ve leaned into my woo-woo side, so I also have many wellness and spiritual practices centered around the lunar cycle.

>>> If you want to learn more about how to keep your children engaged during a workation, read this article!

?? How do you find community as a nomad? 

I have found the easiest way to find community is to create it! I've been hosting events for nomads since I returned to Chiang Mai in 2018ish - at first, just because I needed to make friends myself. 

When I needed support from other entrepreneurs, I started a mastermind. When I became a mom, I expanded my social circle to include families by creating a women's circle for moms.   

I often try to sync my travel plans with nearby special events to jump into the local scene or connect with others who share my interests. Therefore, the best way to establish a  social group is to become the center of gravity for other folks who are also untethered at that moment. 

>>> Check out Nienke Nina's Digital Nomad Story to learn more about making meaningful connections.

?? How do you consider the planet and minimise your impact?

This may be a weird answer, but I believe in making a social impact above all else.   Humans are inherently caring creatures; that care extends to all living things. The problem is that we are not truly free in our choices. 

Ecological degradation is the end result of spiritual corruption and social disconnect. Cultivating a spiritual practice, getting out in nature, caring for our community, and raising our children well is how we root out that corruption.   

I don’t think minimising impact is the right way to look at it. I’m more concerned with empowerment and maximising freedom and agency. That’s why I’m so gung-ho about promoting access to remote work and global mobility. I’m an optimist and trust humanity and the entrepreneurial spirit to figure it out.

??Connect with Lily Bruns via LinkedIn.?? Follow her whitepaper work on #digitalnomadvisas and be part of her research by filling out her survey.

…. Meet Vanesa Cotlar, who explores South America as VP of People & Culture at PolicyMe and read #DigitalNomadStories.

Or why not meet Han, Juliana, Mita, Kristina, Kaisu, and Sam, all digital nomads with fantastic stories to share!?

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