What you'll learn from Taylors story
Meet Taylor Jackson
I’m Taylor, 26 years old, from Melbourne, Australia, and I work for myself fully remotely in the marketing and mental health spaces.
What I do for work
I work in marketing and mental health training, balancing both roles remotely. My week is quite diverse, involving around 25 hours in marketing and another 15 in mental health and well-being workshops. Marketing-wise, I handle social media, website content, email campaigns, and blog posts for a few different clients, including my mum’s business and EQ minds - a wellbeing company helping corporate professionals take charge of their mental wellbeing. Every Monday morning, I have meetings to set my tasks for the week and agree on deliverables, which I can complete from anywhere.
The other side of my work is deeply rooted in mental health. I conduct breath work, meditation, and mindfulness sessions aimed at reducing stress and anxiety. These sessions are mostly online, but I also visit businesses to run workshops in person. Recently, I added mental health first aid training to my repertoire, where I help workplaces recognize and respond to mental health issues, creating a supportive environment.
Join me for a typical working day
A typical day for me starts at 6:30 am. I begin with meditation and breathwork to set a calm tone for the day. Then, I head to a Pilates class, which helps me stay physically active and mentally refreshed. After Pilates, I grab my coffee and go for a walk. This time is precious as it allows me to check my emails and plan my day without the rush of a morning commute.
Once I’m back home, I have a shower and make myself breakfast. My work location varies depending on my mood and tasks for the day. Sometimes, I work from my apartment, which is set up with a comfortable desk and plenty of natural light. Other days, I might go to a café to enjoy a change of scenery. One of my favorite spots is CreativeCubes, a co-working space in Melbourne. It’s vibrant and filled with like-minded professionals, which keeps me motivated. When I need a break from the city, I head down to my parents’ holiday house on the coast, where I can work with a view of the ocean.
In the morning, I dive into a focused work session, tackling the most pressing tasks first. I break for lunch around noon, usually making something healthy at home. After lunch, I either continue working from the same location or switch it up. The afternoon might include running an online breath work session, conducting a mental health workshop, or having a few meetings with clients.
One of the best aspects of my job is its flexibility. I’m not confined to a 9-to-5 schedule, so I can fit in personal activities throughout the day. If I feel like going for a walk on the beach or a midday hike, I can. This freedom means I often work in the evenings, but I don’t mind because it allows me to enjoy my day more fully. Plus, I can handle errands like grocery shopping or laundry without worrying about a rigid schedule.
Welcome to my “office”
I can't sit in the same spot all day. I get really depleted and agitated and feel like I need to move and go somewhere else. Sometimes I'll work from my apartment. Sometimes I’ll work from a friend's place. I recently came back from working in Adelaide where I was visiting friends I went to university with. I also have my parents place down the coast and of course coffee shops and coworking spaces.
I’m able to do a swap with the coworking space in Melbourne so I don’t have to pay to access that. If you have a service to offer, you can reach out to these places and just propose a special arrangement. For example I run breathwork and meditation classes in exchange for being able to visit their space a few times per week.
Last year, I also worked from Bali, which was amazing. I found a lovely place with a private room, a desk, and a pool for about $70 AUD a night. I’ve also worked from Sydney, Adelaide, and soon, I’ll be heading to New York. Managing different time zones can be tricky, but I make it work by scheduling emails appropriately and communicating my availability clearly with clients.
Financial transparency
Financially, my work is quite rewarding. In marketing, I earn between $30 to $60 AUD per hour.
For mental health first aid training, I can make around $1,500 per course. The earnings from breath work and meditation sessions depend on the client base, but the potential is huge, especially if you’re working with businesses. I know so many digital nomads who charge premium rates for their services, and I believe the key is knowing your worth and setting your rates accordingly.
On average, I spend around $1,000 AUD a week on my lifestyle, which includes travel, accommodation, and daily expenses. I actually spend less than I would if I were commuting to an office every day. I love cooking at home, which saves money, and I don’t have the daily costs of buying lunch or commuting.
Challenges of remote working
Self-motivation can be tough, especially on days when I’m not feeling particularly driven. There’s also the issue of isolation. To combat this, I’ve joined a community called Feel Good Dips, where we meet for ocean swims and coffee twice a week. I’ve also connected with other digital nomads through an Instagram group called. We meet up weekly in cafes to work together, which is a fantastic way to stay connected and inspired.
How I got started
My journey into remote work started back in university. My mum, who’s an artist, was a big influence. She works from her studio, but a lot of her work, like marketing her art and managing social media, can be done remotely. This gave me a glimpse into the possibilities of remote work.
Back in 2018, while studying media marketing at university in Adelaide, I started to see the potential of social media for businesses. Social media had been around for a few years, and it was clear that companies were beginning to harness its power. So, I decided to start my own social media business. I emailed a variety of businesses, explaining how I could help promote their brand through social media, all done remotely.
Soon enough, I was working with a few hospitality companies, a wine label, and a non-profit organization. We agreed on an hourly rate, and I did all the work from my laptop. It was perfect because it fit well around my university schedule. I’d study at the library and then switch to my freelance work, managing to put in around 20 hours a week. This experience opened my eyes to the growing opportunities in digital marketing and remote work.
After finishing university and returning to Melbourne in 2021, I decided to pursue a career in music for a couple of years. However, during this time, I also interviewed for full-time marketing roles in Melbourne. The thought of being tied to a 9-to-5 office job felt incredibly restrictive and made me anxious. I actually accepted a job, but quit after just two days because it wasn’t for me.
That’s when I decided to revisit my university strategy. I contacted various companies and started doing marketing work on a contract basis, just like before. I built a client base, charging per hour for my services, and continued to work remotely. Over time, I expanded my business and added more clients.
In addition to marketing, I ventured into the mental health and well-being space. I started a business offering breath work, meditation, and mindfulness sessions. I was determined to keep this remote too, so I began offering free sessions to get my foot in the door. I’d promote these sessions on social media, inviting people to join for free. These initial sessions helped me gain referrals, and soon, I had contracts with businesses for my services.
Starting with free sessions was crucial for building my reputation. It allowed potential clients to experience the value of my services firsthand, which led to paid opportunities. This approach helped me establish a solid client base.
My work with mental health first aid came about through my long-term client, EQ Minds. They wanted to train me as an instructor to deliver mental health first aid training to workplaces. This is a new addition to my skill set, but it’s already proving valuable.
In terms of setting up my business, it involved a lot of emails and networking. For marketing, if you have a degree and some experience, you should charge for your time right from the start. But for services like breath work and meditation, starting with free offerings can help you build a client base. From there, you can transition to paid contracts as your reputation grows.
My message to the world
When it comes to advice for others aspiring to live a remote lifestyle, I can’t stress enough the importance of breaking free from conventional paths. We’re often taught there’s only one way to succeed—through traditional, office-based jobs. But that’s simply not true. If you’re feeling drained and uninspired by your current work environment, remember you don’t have to live that way. Especially after the pandemic, it’s clear life is too short to be spent in a place or job that doesn’t fulfil you.
I encourage everyone to go after their dreams while living the life they want. Whether that means traveling the world, relocating frequently, or simply having the flexibility to work from anywhere, it’s possible. It’s all about taking that first step and recognizing that you can create a career that aligns with your personal goals and passions. Open your eyes to the possibilities and be willing to take risks. This mindset shift can be a game-changer.
To those worried about balancing career progression with a desire to travel or experience life more fully, remote work offers a perfect solution. You don’t have to choose between advancing your career and exploring the world. I’ve seen firsthand that you can achieve both. Backpacking and long-term travel are incredible, but they can be financially unsustainable.
Remote work allows you to maintain and grow your career without having to take long breaks or burn through your savings. It’s a sustainable way to live a fulfilling and adventurous life while still making professional progress.
My plans for the future
One of the coolest parts is the freedom to relocate without disrupting my career. For instance, my partner splits his time between here and Bendigo, so I can easily work from Bendigo whenever I want. This flexibility is amazing and allows us to consider even bigger moves. We’re thinking about spending six months in Queensland, six months in the Northern Territory, maybe six months overseas, and another six months in Sydney. For my partner, different states offer different job opportunities, but for me, I can continue my work seamlessly no matter where we are. I don’t have to worry about starting a new job for a short period or going into an office daily. I can keep growing my business and enjoying the flexibility that comes with remote work.
I definitely plan to escape Melbourne winters more often!
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