Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about escaping the cold winter months and soaking up the sun in a warmer climate?  Just like you, I dreamt about it for decades.  More than anything, I wanted to trade rainy Belgium for sunny Spain.  Back then, I wasn’t even thinking about living a more location-independent lifestyle.  It was all about being able to enjoy many more hours in the sun.  But the practicalities of work and financial resources made it seem unattainable.  And here’s the thing… it doesn’t have to be.

The Dream of More Sunshine in Winter

I remember sitting at my desk, bundled up in layers, shivering despite the office heating. The noise and chaos of the open office space were a constant distraction, and it zapped away my focus and energy.  I comforted myself with hot coffee, cookies and chocolate.  But I couldn’t help but wonder… there has to be a better way!

All I could think about was escaping to a warmer climate. I dreamed of running a bed and breakfast in Spain, and it kept me going for many years.  But I was afraid to take the leap.  The risks were high.  How about work?  Would I just quit and leave everything behind?  And then what?  How would I make a living in a country where the hourly pay was about half of what I was making?  My environment, friends, and family all thought I should get my feet on the ground, forget about that crazy dream and be normal, like everyone else.  But it kept pulling at me, winter after winter.

Thanks to burnout and chronic illness, I finally was able to make the leap and move abroad.  Once in Spain, I quickly realized running a bed and breakfast in winter would be ok, but in the summer heat… I couldn’t see myself do it.  Well, not in the long run anyway.  As I looked into different possibilities, I realized that a location-independent online business offered not only more freedom, but more importantly, the flexibility to work in alignment with my energy, health and multi passionate personality.

Getting extra time in the sun while in a job

If you’re currently working a traditional job, you may be wondering how to make your dream of sun-kissed winters a reality. Here are a few strategies to spend more wintertime in the sun:

• Maximize Your Vacation Time: Take advantage of long weekends and mid-week breaks to extend your trips and enjoy more time in your desired destination.
• Save for Your Dream: Set aside a portion of your income to fund your travels and potential relocation expenses.
• Consider Remote Work: If possible, negotiate with your employer to work remotely or explore opportunities for freelance or contract work.

Here’s how I did it.

You probably ask yourself this question over and over: ‘How can I spend more time in Spain if I only have 20 vacation days?’  That was my big question too.  And the answer is pretty simple but it does require some planning.  Now is the perfect time to plan your next 12 months.  Take a piece of paper or open a spreadsheet and map it out.

Start by making an overview of your official vacation days (for me that was 20 days) and official holidays (let’s say 7 more that are not on a weekend).  That’s a great start, but it can be better.

Is there a way to earn extra time off?  On top of my 20 vacation days. I also had 12 days extra because I was employed in a system where I worked 40 hours but got paid 38 so we saved up 2 hours each week that accumulated to 12 days in a year.

How do you spend them?

You could just add everything up and take 2 months off.  But that means 10 months without sun or time abroad.  And still no full winter in the sun.  And I found that a no go.  So here’s how I did it.  I scheduled multiple long weekends and midweeks around an official holiday to make the most of my vacation days + extra time.  The long weekends only cost me 2 days: Friday and Monday.  I’d fly in on the earliest flight on Friday, arrive around noon, enjoy the rest of the day, a whole weekend and fly back on the latest flight on Monday.

I’d organize my midweeks around an official holiday.  So if the holiday would be on a Wednesday, you could add in 2 days before, giving you a holiday from Saturday till Wednesday.  But those flights are expensive.  It’s often worth it to spend a few more vacation days, to be able to fly during the week.

The Solopreneur Advantage (and challenges)

As a solopreneur, you have the unique advantage of greater flexibility and control over your work.  Or so it seems.  If you’re a coach, therapist or service provider, you could easily take time off, using the tips I mentioned above.  But for many, taking time off also means no income.  And I see so many solopreneurs not taking time off because of the fear of missing income and disappointing clients.

My top tip here: make at least part of your business location-independent and digital.  Use online tools and platforms to automate your business and manage it from anywhere.

Making it happen

Being able to spend winters in the sun was my primary driver to move abroad.  And it was the best decision ever!  I’ve personally experienced the positive impact a time and location-independent lifestyle has on your health, happiness and wellbeing. After years of dreaming about escaping the cold winters of Belgium, I took the leap and moved to Spain. It was a decision that changed my life in countless ways.

Not only do I enjoy the benefits of a warmer climate and a slower pace of life, but I also discovered a newfound sense of freedom and fulfillment. Being able to work from my home in Spain allowed me to discover a new way to make a living, doing something I really love: vitality coaching, career & business mentoring.  I get to meet interesting people, practice 5 languages in a day and live life on my own terms.

If you’re thinking of spending more time in the sun, I’ve created a free resource to help you brainstorm how to make extra income with an online business.  Grab your Freedom Business Kickstart Kit here.

Want my help to brainstorm how to work less, and optimize your work life or business for more balance, move abroad or add more vitality to your life?  Email me at hello@atweakaway.com.  I may have just the free resource to help you get started, or we can hop on a call and discuss what you’re looking for.