If you feel like you have to choose between earning a living and actually living your life, this blog will give you insight into how we found a family-friendly way to do both.
We used to think the same, until we found a way to blend remote work with a lifestyle full of fresh air, family adventure, and the freedom to explore. In this post, we’re sharing how we balance our online business with outdoor living in the hope that it inspires you to do the same, on your own terms.
- From 9-to-5 to Nature and WiFi
- The Myth of “Work-Life Balance”
- 5 Practical Ways We Make It Work
- Could This Be Possible For You?
From 9-to-5 to Nature and WiFi
Our story began like many others: alarm clocks, commutes, and barely enough time for a weekend walk in the woods. Before we had children, we worked in roles that gave us time outside and a taste of adventure. But in the pursuit of higher earnings, we ended up working longer hours, stuck further away from the things that lit us up.
And we were unhappy.
(You can read more of our story at alittlemoreoutdoor.com.)
Deep down, we were craving something else—connection over convention, freedom over routine, and a childhood for our kids filled with more trees than tablets.
So we made a bold move.
We transitioned to running our own online business, one built intentionally to support the life we wanted, not the other way around.
The Myth of “Work-Life Balance”
We’ve realised it’s not really about “balance”, but alignment.
Instead of separating work and life into neat little boxes, we wove them together. Our days are designed around travel, time outdoors, educating our children away from school, and family connection, and we work around those priorities.
Yes, we still have laptops and deadlines. But now those laptops come out when the kids are asleep, when the weather turns stormy, or during quiet downtime.
We’ve had beachside Zoom calls, sent emails from mountaintop cafés, and scheduled blog posts before going completely off-grid for a few days. The deadlines we meet are ones we choose, and they drive us rather than drain us.
5 Practical Ways We Make It Work
If you’re dreaming of a more outdoor-focused life while still earning online, here are some things that help us keep it all moving:
1. Flexible Routines, Not Rigid Schedules
We don’t stick to a strict 9–5. Instead, we work in focused blocks—usually early mornings or late evenings—leaving the best daylight hours for exploring.
One bonus of working as a couple is that we can tag-team. For example, as I write this on a Friday morning, my husband has taken the kids to gymnastics. When they return, he’ll work while I take them swimming. By 3 pm, we’ll all be back home for a family games night. It’s teamwork, flexibility, and a bit of creative juggling. It is probably worth mentioning that this is also followed by having Wednesday and Thursday completely off to go on adventures.
2. We Work From Wherever We Are
We’ve invested in tools that make our business portable—lightweight tech, cloud storage, and portable power banks. Our only real limit is internet access. (Confession: before booking anywhere, I always check how strong the WiFi is!) But when we do head to more remote, off-grid spots, we simply schedule emails and blogs in advance so we can fully unplug and soak up the experience.
3. We Include Our Children in the Adventure
Family time doesn’t wait for weekends.
We blend online learning, world-schooling, and hands-on experiences to make our travels part of the kids’ education. Whether they’re learning about history in ancient ruins, ecosystems in the woods, or currencies at a market stall, they’re learning with us, side by side.
We also include them in our work, explaining what we’re doing and why. Inviting them to join in by creating their own videos and blogs, or learn how things work. This goes for chores and jobs, making them a fun experience.
It’s exactly what we imagined when we pictured this life.
4. We Stay Grounded in Our “Why”
There are days when it’s hard—when the tech fails, the motivation dips, or the to-do list feels overwhelming.
But coming back to our why keeps us going.
We’re a family full of neurodivergent minds, so we often swing between bursts of hyper-focus and complete inertia. And that’s okay. This lifestyle allows us to lean into our strengths, ride out the tough days, and still move forward.
Our why? More family time. More freedom. More adventure. We didn’t want to spend the best years of our lives giving our best hours to other people’s goals.
What’s your why?
5. We Keep Learning and Adjusting
Building an online business isn’t a straight line.
There are hiccups and lessons all the time. But with every challenge, we’ve become more confident in our ability to figure things out. That adaptability is what makes this journey so exciting. It’s not about getting it perfect—it’s about progress over perfection.
Is It Always Easy? Nope.
Is It Worth It? Absolutely.
This way of living requires trust, courage, and a willingness to give it a go. But the reward? Being fully present for the moments that matter and doing the things you actually want to do with your life.
Time, money, and location no longer dictate our decisions. That freedom? It’s priceless.
Could This Be Possible For You?
We believe it can—if you’re willing to think creatively, learn new skills, and take imperfect action.
If you’re curious about how to build an online business that supports your own version of an adventurous, outdoor lifestyle, we have some resources to help you get started.
You Don’t Have to Choose Between Work and Life
You can create a life where the two support and inspire each other.
And just so you know—we’re not extraordinary. We’re honestly a bit chaotic. I have anxiety about getting things wrong. Nick is amazing at starting projects, but not always great at finishing them. We’re both dreamers who took a while to take action.
But here we are—living the life we used to only imagine.
My only regret? That we didn’t start sooner. That I didn’t give myself permission to try earlier.
So if you’re reading this thinking, “I wish I could do that too,” know this: you can.
Here’s to building a business that lets you live fully.
