{"id":13232,"date":"2026-03-13T07:00:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T06:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/workingremotely.nl\/alex-went-from-social-worker-in-friesland-to-remote-worker-in-portugal\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T18:27:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T17:27:15","slug":"alex-went-from-social-worker-in-friesland-to-remote-worker-in-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/workingremotely.nl\/en\/alex-went-from-social-worker-in-friesland-to-remote-worker-in-portugal\/","title":{"rendered":"Alex went from social worker in Friesland, to remote worker in Portugal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello, my name is Alex. By now I’ve been working remote from Portugal for about 5 months, but I’d like to take you through my journey from November 2021: living in a rented house in Sneek, Friesland, in paid employment as a counsellor for young people and on my way to a major burn-out. Until March 2026: living in an RV next to a remodeling project in Portugal and working remotely as an independent SEO specialist and copywriter. <\/p>\n

From hard worker to home on the couch<\/h2>\n

My working life began as a diligent youth counselor. A wonderful profession, but ultimately proved to be my personal salvation and pitfall. Although I still enjoy helping people, perhaps 5 years ago it was more of a cop-out to avoid looking at my own problems. Result? A burn-out. <\/p>\n

This was followed by a hefty journey that eventually gave me my first steps toward online marketing. I went to work at the restaurant of a good friend of mine. Mainly serving and behind the bar, but also training in online marketing and working for his restaurant. A fun and educational time, but after two years in the restaurant industry, irregularity and being stuck with working hours, location and people all day, that love was cooling down. <\/p>\n

\"alex<\/p>\n

From the Dutch norm to more freedom abroad<\/h2>\n

In addition, other loves had blossomed: a girlfriend and an increasing passion for marketing. She could already often be found abroad with her camper, looking for a remodeling project. Occasionally she was in the Netherlands working as a freelance skin therapist. That while I was tied to a fixed location in Friesland and still thinking mainly within Dutch (work) norms. With this relationship came conversations that were new to me, but also offered me new insights and a different perspective on work. <\/p>\n

Eventually it became clear to me that I was ready for something different both personally and professionally. And where the hospitality work was becoming a burden, my urge to focus more on marketing – specifically SEO and copywriting – was growing each time. <\/p>\n

What I did to work remotely<\/h2>\n

So I started the conversation with my employer, with the idea: no more restaurant, more time to work on marketing and the freedom to work remotely as needed. The result was a 16-hour-a-week remote job from October 2025! At the same time, this gave me the space to make a personal plan to develop into an independent SEO specialist and copywriter. <\/p>\n

As I write this I notice that it all sounds very simple, but this did require – and does require – sacrifice, commitment and help from others. Because such a big change doesn’t happen by itself. But fortunately, you don’t have to do it all by yourself either. <\/p>\n

What all did I do to work remotely?<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Starting the conversation with my employer<\/strong>(!), with a clear idea of what I wanted and willingness to compromise in other areas (in my case financially);<\/li>\n
  2. Created a personal plan<\/strong>: a kind of self-conceived traineeship with all-purpose AI, for specialization into independent SEO specialist and copywriter;<\/li>\n
  3. Enlisted my network<\/strong>: Emailed Alieke (whom I knew from a press trip in Friesland) from Working Remotely about my plans and asked for help with my personal plan;<\/li>\n
  4. Invested in my plan<\/strong>: in not 1, but 2 trainings. An online group coaching from Working Remotely<\/a> for working remotely and a long-term 1-on-1 course from marketing expert Dani\u00eblle Bom<\/a> to specialize me as an independent SEO marketer and copywriter. <\/li>\n
  5. Income and rental property given up<\/strong>: my current salary is not much and I gave up my rental property.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Both the Working Remotely course to prepare me for remote work and the 1-on-1 training with Dani\u00eblle have been essential for me to get where I am today. In addition, a dose of motivation and perseverance are highly recommended. <\/p>\n

    \"camper \"inside<\/p>\n

    I’m leaving! To Portugal <\/h2>\n

    Finally the time had come: my rental house had been cancelled, the camper filled to the brim and in early October 2025 my girlfriend and I drove to Chelo, Penacova. A typical small, Portuguese village where almost everyone still keeps their own chickens, grows vegetables or picks olives. Upon arrival, there was no time for relaxation: the actual condition of the house had to be made up, my 1-on-1 online marketing training began, and I was making my 16 hours of payroll each week. Fortunately, upon inspection of the home, everything turned out to be relatively fine, so we quickly converted a space into an office. Remote working began. <\/p>\n

    How I work remotely from Portugal<\/h2>\n

    We are now 5 months on and my new life already feels more normal. Looking back, I wouldn’t do many things differently and am especially happy with the step I took. Both staying in Portugal, and the switch in my work to independent SEO specialist. The latter also brings with it more freedom. <\/p>\n

    My work weeks now feel more and more relaxed and structured. I kept my working days in paid employment tight from the beginning. This is how I managed to prevent any room for doubts about this way of (collaborating) working. Taking care of good internet and a “normal” workplace were also taken care of right away. <\/p>\n

    \"desk<\/p>\n

    The days off proved more difficult for me to structure. Although I had an online meeting every 2 weeks for the 1-on-1 training, outside of that it was tempting to get distracted. The village cafe, working in the house, an afternoon at the beach, you name it. Very logical I guess, but after all the novelty of our new life in Portugal wore off a bit, I did rearrange this. <\/p>\n

    Now, I keep my three work days as a fixture for weekdays and have a standard alarm clock set an hour after my last work day. Then, based on our joint plans on the “days off,” I decide how to schedule my other, personal work. This ensures that I structurally devote enough hours to my own business and at the same time provides the freedom to do so at times that are convenient for me. <\/p>\n

    \"digital<\/a><\/p>\n

    Three tips for someone who wants to work remotely:<\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. Provide an incentive, example or environment that helps you think outside of your existing work image and provides some guidance. Your partner, a friend, writing out your dreams, a blog, Instagram, Working Remotely’s course. It doesn’t matter what; <\/li>\n
    2. Don’t let others decide for you what you should or shouldn’t do or what is “normal.” Not your employer, not your network, not “society” (tip #1 helps tremendously with this); <\/li>\n
    3. Take the bold step: make your desire known to your employer or HR. Perhaps the hardest step to take – often made more exciting by ourselves than it is – but chances are that much more is possible than you think. If not? Then that too is clarity and you can think further about what you want then. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      You can follow me on my Instagram: alexjansen1991<\/a>. Curious about what I do for work, and perhaps can do for you? Then check out my website: www.studio-seocrates.nl<\/a> <\/p>\n

      More inspiring stories from digital nomads:<\/h2>\n

      Leven en werken als digital nomad \u2013 met een camper, kat en laptop<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n