April Digital Nomad Life Update: April was a very different kind of month. If you’ve been following my life as a digital nomad in Mexico, you’re probably used to hikes, travel days, and adventure content. But this month wasn’t about that. It was about slowing down, being present with family, and finding my way back into normal life after losing my dad. And honestly, this is just as much a part of the digital nomad lifestyle as the travel itself.

The Beginning of April: Family, Loss, and Real Life

At the very end of March, we had my dad’s celebration of life.

So going into April, my brother and I stayed with my mom for a couple of weeks to help her adjust.

That looked like:

• Taking care of car maintenance
• Cleaning and organizing the house
• Going through my dad’s office and belongings
• Managing donations and logistics

It was a mix of practical tasks… and emotional ones.

I also went back to work part-time during this period, which I’m really grateful for. It gave me flexibility to support my family while easing back into routine.

Easter Weekend: Simple but Meaningful

Easter ended up being one of the most meaningful days of the month.

My mom and I went to her annual sunrise service by the water, and then we came home and had a simple meal together, just the three of us.

Nothing big.

But those quiet moments mattered more than anything.

Small Moments That Help You Reset

In between everything, I tried to make space for small, grounding moments.

I met up with my friend Monica for lunch at a Vietnamese café and stopped by a Mexican bakery so she could grab her favorite cream cheese bread.

Those little moments of normal life make a big difference when everything else feels heavy.

Slowly Getting Back to Work

About a week later, I started teaching again and even welcomed a new Spanish student.

It felt like a small but important step back into normal life.

One thing I’ve learned through this experience:

You don’t “bounce back.”
You ease back in.

Taking Time to Reset

I had a girls’ night with friends, charcuterie, hot tub, relaxing, and ended up staying the night.

And honestly, I needed that reset more than I realized.

Washington, D.C. Day Trip

The next morning, I woke up early and headed into Washington, D.C..

It was the tail end of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, so there weren’t many blossoms left…

…but I still found a few hidden ones and spent the day walking around the monuments.

Sometimes it’s not about perfect timing, it’s just about showing up

Mid-April Transition

On April 17th, I took my brother to the airport.

That moment felt like a shift.

After that, I left my mom’s house and stayed with my best friend’s family in Annapolis.

Off-Season Travel: Ocean City Weekend

We did a girls’ weekend in Ocean City, and it was freezing.

But honestly? It was kind of perfect.

Off-season travel perks:

• Cheaper hotels
• No crowds
• Peaceful boardwalk walks

I also brought one of my dad’s cameras and did a little photo shoot of my friend and her dog.

That moment felt really meaningful.

Rebuilding My Routine

After that, I started focusing on getting back into a routine:

• Gym every day
• Rock climbing, yoga, and weights
• Back with my nutritionist
• Back to therapy and coaching

Yoga especially helped me decompress everything mentally.

Simple Joys That Matter

We also kept things simple:

• Paint night
• Italian food festival
• Thrift shopping
• Frozen yogurt runs (which, honestly… is better in the U.S. than Mexico 😅)

Where I Am Now

Now it’s the end of April, and I finally feel like I’m getting back into a rhythm.

Work, content, health, routines… all slowly coming back together.

Not perfectly.

But steadily.

Travel Tip: How I Manage Phone Data in Multiple Countries

One question I get all the time is:

How do you manage phone data when traveling internationally, especially across multiple countries?

After years of trial and error, here’s exactly how I approach it.

Step 1: Estimate Your Data Needs

If you’re working remotely:

• A 1-hour Zoom call using hotspot = ~1 GB of data

So I calculate:

• Number of meetings
• Length of stay

If you’re just traveling for fun, you’ll likely use much less:

• Maps
• Rides (Uber, etc.)
• Quick searches

In many cases, 1–2 GB total is enough for a short trip.

Step 2: Check Coverage (More Important Than Price)

Before choosing anything, I research:

• Which carrier has the strongest coverage in that country
• Especially in the specific area I’m visiting

This matters more than price.

For example, in Dahab:

• Wi-Fi was unreliable
• Only ONE carrier worked well

Once I switched to that provider, everything worked perfectly.

Step 3: Compare Your Options

1. eSIM (Most Convenient)

I often use Saily

Pros:

• Buy before landing
• Instant connection
• No physical SIM

Cons:

• Usually more expensive

That said, small plans can still be cheap (around $8 for 1 GB).

2. SIM Card at the Airport

This is what I do most often.

Pros:

• Usually cheaper
• More data

Cons:

• Not always obvious where to buy

Example: In London, SIM cards are often sold inside shops like WHSmith, rather than in dedicated mobile phone stores.

3. SIM Card in the City

Sometimes cheaper than the airport but not always.

I always check both.

Step 4: Research Logistics Ahead of Time

This is the biggest mistake people make.

Check:

• Is the SIM store open when you land?
• Is it in your terminal?
• Do they accept card or only cash?

In places like India, SIM cards can be difficult for foreigners to get, and I learned that the hard way.

Step 5: Always Bring Your Passport

Most countries require it to register a SIM.

Sometimes:

• It must be the physical passport (not a photo)

Step 6: My Personal Travel Hacks

These have saved me so many times:

• Keep a SIM card tool in your phone case
• Tape your home SIM inside your case
• Store old SIMs there when switching countries

Simple, but incredibly effective.

How I Decide

I choose based on:

• Time vs. money
• Data needs
• Country logistics

I use eSIM when:

• Short stay
• Complicated country
• I want convenience

I use physical SIM when:

• Staying longer
• Need lots of data
• Want best value

Thinking about working remotely while traveling? Check out my blog post, Top 5 Things to Look for When Working Remotely & Traveling as a Digital Nomad, where I share the key factors I consider when choosing destinations, from internet reliability and cost of living to safety, accommodations, and overall quality of life.

Final Thoughts

April wasn’t about adventure.

It was about showing up, for my family, for myself, and for the life I’m building.

And now…

I’m slowly stepping back into both life and travel.

Want More Real-Life Travel Tips?

If you’re navigating:

• Life abroad
• Remote work while traveling
• Or balancing travel with real-life responsibilities

You’re not alone.

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