There’s a quiet kind of courage in choosing a life that doesn’t come with a handbook. For Tania Hack, walking away from the security of a 9–5 job wasn’t a rebellion, it was a return. A return to curiosity, to presence, to asking what really matters. Life as a digital nomad isn’t always perfect, but it’s hers. Full of slow mornings, unfamiliar streets and the kind of freedom that can’t be measured with annual leave. In a world that often praises stability over self-trust, she chose to write her own story. And she’s still turning the pages…
We speak to Tania about what it really takes to leave the conventional behind, her home base in Kuta, Lombok, and her tips for those searching for a life with more freedom, intention and possibility.
When did you realise you wanted to leave the 9–5 life behind?
I always knew I wanted to travel, and I’d seen people go and stay in Bali for a few months at a time. I think having a partner who was onboard with trying something different allowed me to think about how I could do something different with my life. Once we started discussing options, this whole world sort of opened up. We read about people embracing the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, read stories about individuals living van life, and watched YouTubers travelling around Southeast Asia. Seeing all these people who had left the 9-to-5 behind gave me jumping-off points to think about what would work for me, what I wanted out of life, and what excited me.
What were you doing before this life, and what was the turning point?
I’ve been working in marketing since 2012, holding various roles and transitioning into freelancing or contracting, as I loved the change and variety they provided. When the pandemic hit, it prompted people to consider hiring more freelancers to work remotely, which ultimately helped me transition into being a full-time, remote freelancer.
But we’d already decided to leave New Zealand before that. Our process is essentially to come up with a crazy idea, I think our first was to move to Vietnam, while out on a walk. Then I’d come back home and create a spreadsheet to determine if it was possible and what we’d need to put in place to achieve it. The turning point was seeing that what we dreamed up was actually doable. That gave us such momentum to work hard, cut back our expenses and start planning this new life.
Was there a specific moment when it all felt real, like “I’m actually doing this”?
It didn’t feel real until we were at the airport, about to leave New Zealand. It was a weird time as New Zealand wasn’t allowing any tourists in and Kiwis had to stay in those managed isolation hotels. So there we were, with almost everything we owned in a couple of bags, wandering around Auckland Airport, which was basically empty. All the shops and cafes were closed and it felt so eerie. But that’s when it felt real. When all the planning and dreaming and discussions actually led us to the airport. Up until that point, especially because of Covid, it felt like it could’ve all been upended at any point.
What kind of work do you do now, and how do you manage it on the road?
I still work in marketing as a freelancer. Working on the road has its challenges. I quickly learnt that trying to see a new place, plan where we’re going next, and work all at the same time is impossible for me. I think you can do two of those well at the same time. So I’ll either be working and planning a trip, or travelling and working. If you want to try to build something, such as a business or a client base, I don’t think you can do that efficiently while travelling full-time. I’ve found it so much easier when I have a base and can focus my attention for a while.
What does a ‘normal’ day look like for you now?
Our days start slowly; I meditate and my partner Kieron likes to cold plunge in the pool. We usually have coffee and breakfast at home but sometimes we get tempted to head out to the beach for coffee. I like to do an hour or so of work before lunch, as it sets a more productive tone for the rest of the day. Then we head to one of the warungs (restaurants) in town for lunch. The afternoons depend on how much work we have to do. We’ll usually spend the hottest part of the day at home, either by the pool or working. Once the sun starts dipping below the hill behind Kuta, I head out for a run. It’s not exactly cool, but I figure I have less chance of getting sunstroke. Then we walk to one of the restaurants in town for dinner. Not having to cook lunch or dinner is something I love about my life.
How do you choose where to go next?
My life in Kuta, Lombok, is beachy and laidback. So when I travel, I’m looking for things that feel different. Right now, for example, I’m in Bangkok, so I’m going to temples, visiting art galleries and doing city things. I’ll leave Kuta for the wet season at the end of the year, and the current plan is to go up into the mountains in Vietnam. That’ll be laidback, but with forests, hiking and cooler air, so it’ll feel different to Lombok.
Have there been any unexpected challenges or moments of doubt?
So many challenges. Constantly. Every day feels like there’s a new challenge. I’ve given up ‘ease’ in a lot of areas of life. Little things, like figuring out how the post works or where to buy new shoes, have become significantly more challenging. But I’ve realised how much I want novelty and freshness in my life. I want to be out exploring a new city next month. I like that I don’t know where I’ll be living next year. Because of that, I don’t have many moments of doubt. I know that I don’t want to go back to living a 9-to-5 life. Everyone’s life has challenges, but the particular challenges I face are worth it to me to live this life.
What has this way of living taught you that a conventional life never could?
That I don’t have to live by someone else’s rules. That I should question expectations and see if they’re right for me. Do I want that big house and car, or is that just what I think I should want? Why do I work 40 hours a week and spend hours commuting? Is all that bringing me joy, or is it tying me into something I don’t want to be doing? I spend a lot of time questioning everything, which can be exhausting, and not everything should be over-analysed. However, it has led me to make choices that are more aligned with what I want out of life.
What would you say to someone who dreams of doing what you’ve done, but feels scared or stuck?
Firstly, there are some really practical steps you can take. Reducing your expenses and building a healthy savings account gives you a great deal of freedom. It means that you can live for several months without worrying about money coming in while you figure things out. But I also strongly recommend having some way to earn money right away. Think about transitioning to a remote role or taking on some freelance work. Or if you need to learn new skills, do that while you’re still earning money. Trying to build a business while travelling is hard and you don’t need that added stress in your life. Then, find ways to dip your toe into the world of remote work. Could you do a three-month working holiday trip? That’s where the idea of Slower Travels came from – helping people think about what they want out of life and making a plan to take steps towards it.
Additionally, start thinking more deeply about what you truly want. Are you wanting to run away from your responsibilities? Do you really want to retire or do you just hate your boss? Do you love having your home comforts around? This life can look dreamy on Instagram, but it’s not for everyone. Understanding more about who you are, what you want and what makes you happy will help you build a life that reflects your true self and your desires.
For more info about living as a digital nomad, and to see what Tania is up to next, visit Slower Travels and follow @slower_travels on Instagram.