We’ve been in a State of Emergency here in Portugal for a month now, although we began self-isolating a bit earlier. Despite the world’s upheaval, we’ve found a sense of calm. Most of the world is at a standstill, and it feels surreal. Wild animals are wandering into cities, pets have their owners home full-time, kids aren’t in school, and everyone is spending all day together. Jobs and lives have been lost, creating a mix of emotions that’s hard to process.
Nick and I have gone through many stages during this time, and when compared to earlier updates, it’s striking how much can change in just one month. Maybe you relate? In this article, we’re sharing what we’ve been up to, how we’re feeling, and you’ll also hear from other travelers and digital nomads who are currently abroad in places like Colombia, Thailand, and India.
At first, we felt a lot of fear, panic, and uncertainty, much of it driven by outside factors. The Canadian government urged its citizens to return home. Flights were getting canceled, borders closing, and insurance coverage was being withdrawn. Our 90-day Schengen Zone allowance was about to expire, and we worried about what would happen next. Traveling was risky for health reasons, so we chose to stay in Portugal, hoping things would work themselves out.
As days passed and COVID-19 spread in Canada and Grenada, our concern for loved ones grew. We hadn’t heard back from Portugal’s immigration office about extending our stay, and our expat insurance claimed we were no longer covered due to the pandemic. Work-wise, our website traffic plummeted, leading to a significant drop in income. People were more interested in home remedies and not travel-related content, impacting our ad revenue and client retention.
After navigating through fear and stress within a couple of weeks, a sense of calm and gratitude returned. Our Airbnb host allowed us to extend our stay, our expat insurance policy was amended to continue coverage, and the immigration offices in Portugal automatically extended stay documents until June 30. Business-wise, while income is still lower than before the pandemic, things are beginning to improve, especially in the remote work section of our website.
During this downtime, many people, including us, are using it productively by earning side incomes, taking courses, or starting new projects. Nick is adding weekly videos to our YouTube channel, and we have new website ideas underway. We’ve found ourselves more focused and productive.
In Portugal, we’re grateful we can go outside to exercise. We take twice-daily walks to a nearby park and have virtual workouts with friends. Grocery stores have ample food, and costs are significantly lower than in Grenada. High-quality Portuguese wine for just €2.50 a bottle is an added perk.
Deciding to stay in Portugal feels like the right choice. Many travelers and digital nomads are facing similar situations, unsure of where to go as borders close and countries call their citizens back. We know people without a set “home” who are navigating these uncertain times, sometimes needing to stay apart if they hold different passports.
Our friends Tom and Anna in Mexico, Sarah and Nathan in Budapest, Justin in the Philippines, Sasha and Rachel in Colombia, and others have shared their experiences. They all face different challenges but are making the best of their situations.
Here in Portugal, we are currently allowed out for daily exercise, grocery shopping, and visiting pharmacies. Restrictions are in place, but we appreciate the freedoms we have. We’re optimistic that businesses will begin reopening soon.
One month down, who knows how many more to go. We’re grateful for how well Portugal is handling things and feel safe here in Lisbon. We’re comfortable working online, a routine we’ve kept since 2008. For those struggling, my advice is to do what feels right for you in those moments—whether it’s resting, spending time alone, cleaning, planning future trips, or starting a new project. Stay active and healthy, both mentally and physically. Keep in touch with others, help when you can, and be kind to yourself.
Thank you for being part of our community. We love sharing our story with you and hearing from you. Stay safe and well.
