Digital Nomad Interview – Cristina Toscan [Freelancer]
Cristina Toscan is a 28 year old digital nomad originally from Italy. She describes herself as ” a very eclectic human being”.
She is not only a freelancer, but also a photographer, content creator, social media manager, life coach, and surf instructor.
Right now, she is also developing a swimsuit line and trying to be the first Italian woman to visit every country in the world.She’s been already to 70 countries so far in 5 continents and hopefully, by the end of the year, this number will be 78. Her family is still based in Italy where she spends some months during the year, but her main base is mostly in the Dominican Republic, by one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world as she likes to say.
1) When and why did you become a Digital Nomad?Â
I have always considered freedom. on of my top values in life and since I was in high school I started reading and studying how could I have a job that was not location dependent. After my studies, which are a bachelor in Marketing and Communication and a Master in Social Entrepreneurship, I had a few years of transition where I would both have remote digital projects but also some work where I was living in the moment. It was a long way of learning, making mistakes, failing, and learning again but now I can say I have a solid salary and can work completely remotely for almost a year now.
2) We know from our own experience that being a remote worker is not only milk and honey. What are the main benefits and downsides that you’ve encountered as a Digital Nomad?
As per the benefits, I think that as a freelancer my greatest joy is to be able to organize my work life as I want and who to work with. I love nature so during the day you are more likely to find me surfing or enjoying the daylight, I prefer working in the evening where my day is almost over. Secondly, the freedom of needing just a wifi connection to get things done is incredibly fulfilling.
A con maybe is that you don’t create a work environment unless you use coworking spaces and that sometimes you can never really switch off from work cause there is no one else getting your shit done. So you are always on holiday but not really and you are always working but not really.
3) What’s the most frustrating thing for you as a Digital Nomad (except bad Internet 🙂 )
I think that it is hard to find like-minded people in my group of friends of a lifetime. They don’t understand what it is like to live like this and sometimes might judge my choices or ask me when I think about stopping. It is easy to get in contact with other DN through online groups but it is not easy to build real connections.
4) What are your top 3 favourite countries to work from as a DN and why?
1. The Dominican Republic, where I live most of the time has a good mix between modern and local, the ex-pat community is great and it is paradise on Earth. If you live a simple life it is very cheap too
2. Ecuador: More or less everywhere in South America where Selina chain is. They have hostels but with a chic vibe with coworking spaces with great wifi and events and such a cool crowd.
3. Spain & Portugal: Really awesome weather all year round, great people and quite cheap for European standards
5) Can you tell us about your professional experience and how did you build yourself up to this point?
I’m sure a lot of our readers would like to understand how they can do the same.
 As previously said, the beginning was more exploration of the option, figuring out what I liked best and trying to build a portfolio for the future, then there was a phase where I was trying to get specialized in something in particular and to find my first clients, then month after month I got better and better and more people were asking me for my services. I think the key is trying to understand what we really like and how to be able to monetize that, every successful road is paved of failures, mistakes, and trials that didn’t go as planned.
6) What’s your favourite remote working setup when you are not working from “home” and why?
I love coworking spaces cause they keep me focused and give me the chance to meet incredible people during work breaks, but my favorite setup is in a bar/restaurant by the beach, where my breaks are surfing and suntanning while drinking coconut water. I also love jungle lodges but the wifi connection always gives me trouble
7) How does a typical productive remote workday look like for you?
I wake up and do some exercise, surf or a long walk normally, then shower and work a couple of hours before lunch, after that I cook and have my lunch break with my boyfriend, work another couple hours when the sun is too hot to be outside and then around 4/5 I stop working, have some time for myself or with friends and more nature and beach until dinner time. I have dinner and then get back to another couple of hours to finish things off and plan the next day.
8) How do you manage to stay focused and productive? Can you give our readers few tips for being in top shape whilst working remotely?
I try to use lists. I find it very effective for me to have something to tick off and everything I need to get done written down on a piece of paper. I have a list with tasks that I can do in less than 5 minutes and a list with longer ones.Â
I also try to make most of my work for the week in the first days, even if it means working a little harder, so the closer I get to the weekend, the least I have to get done. I know my limits and I try to trick me into hyperfocus so I can have more free time.
9) Do you have any favourite software tools which are key in your life as a digital nomad?
I use Later for scheduling all the social media for my clients and Lightroom to get the best edits on my photos. I also love Canva for simple and easy designs that I can access everywhere and finally I use Onedrive to share folders with my clients and Drive for all the documents.Â
10) Can you name a few major challenges you have running a remote business as a remote entrepreneur?
Sometimes the challenge is to make people understand the value of your work. They think they can get good photos and great content without knowing anything of the platform and they always try to get cheaper prices.Â
Also sometimes I give out suggestions and advice for free and then the client chooses a competitor, but I guess this is normal.
11) Can you share a few advices about safety for our solo female digital nomads?
I have been to countries like India alone for a long time and never had a problem. I advise female solo travelers to be as careful as you are in your hometown, ask locals for information to understand what to avoid and you are good to go. From what I could see, most of the places are safer than your mom thinks they are, but never underestimate the potential danger. Avoid getting drunk and get home alone, avoid being alone in town and showing off technology or possessions.Â
12) And lastly….What is your best advice on a few practical steps for someone who’s dreaming about starting to work remotely?
In this era we are living in, there is space online for literally anything. Don’t compromise what you love for money and you’ll be the happiest person on this planet. Try a lot of things, pick what you enjoy and try to get the best at it, there are so many resources available even for free that is incredible.Â