By Amy Suto
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The podcast currently has 165 episodes available.
As part of my job as a freelance memoir ghostwriter, I was recently flown out to Vienna, Austria by my client as part of the book writing and researching process. Glamorous? You bet. It’s one of the reasons why I love my work, and why I also teach other writers how to kickstart their own freelancing careers
While I can’t discuss any of the work I did for my client, I can talk about the days I spent as a solo traveler exploring the city of Vienna and my recommendations for what to eat, where to stay, and what to do in Vienna, Austria for digital nomads, remote workers, and other travelers coming to visit this gem of a European city.
Imagine working remotely from an island where lush forests meet dramatic coastlines, where you can swim in natural saltwater pools during your lunch break, and where the produce is so fresh it might as well have been picked that morning.
Welcome to Madeira, a Portuguese island that's quickly becoming a digital nomad hotspot!
Kyle and I picked Madeira because we wanted to have a combination of both adventure and quiet deep work and creating time. During my time on the island, I met several other writers who had also picked Madeira for the “writing retreat” element inherent in its peaceful but stunning atmosphere.
I ended up leaving the island a week earlier than planned for a writing trip, but I’d still recommend you spend a month on the island so that you can really unwind and enjoy a surreal daily existence of ocean swims, foggy hikes, and endless waterfalls.
In this post you’ll learn…
✍️ The mindset shift that unlocked so much for me
📚 How limiting beliefs hold us back
✨ Plus: a free webinar on memoir ghostwriting this Monday!
✍️ Free Webinar on Monday About Memoir Ghostwriting [Mon, September 23rd at 3pm ET]
Marion Roach so kindly invited me as a guest on her “Let Me Introduce You” series to chat about all things memoir ghostwriting.
You can register at the link below — it’s free to join!
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
📖 3-Minute Story: The 1 Limiting Belief Holding You Back
In my early 20s, I thought that the world “owed” me something.
I thought that if I showed up in the way that society told me to, I’d be deserving of the outcome I was told I’d get.
They tell us to follow the formula:
Climb the ladder > get the promised prize > live happily ever after.
But because you’re reading this Substack that I’m typing to you beachside from Madeira, Portugal, you know that my journey was much better when I took my fate into my own hands.
Most writers — and people — are plagued by a victim mentality. Bad things happen to us, so we operate from a place of fear and scarcity. We fall into patterns thinking “this is just how things are” while stewing on how badly we’ve been treated or how deeply we’ve been wronged.
In 2021, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. As someone who has struggled with fairly unfounded medical anxiety most of my life, this was my greatest fear.
But after my diagnosis, I felt fairly calm. Steady. I didn’t feel like a victim: I felt like I was being given a unique test. A challenge that would help me grow.
So, I faced it as that. Days later, I found a nutritionist to help me, I was doing my own research about the type of diet and lifestyle changes I needed to make, and I went against “common sense” and started traveling the world.
Three years later, I’m in remission — something I don’t think could have happened had I fallen into a “woe is me” victim mentality. There are a lot of factors that helped me heal, but they all were built on the foundation of this mindset shift: I am not a victim. I am responsible for my life and I can change it.
Radical responsibility gives us agency. If we take responsibility and “own” where we’re at in life, we’re suddenly in a position where we can change everything. From this new vantage point, depression and anxiety and anger fall away, and a path forward is illuminated.
In what ways in your own life have you fallen into the victim mentality?
Enjoyed today’s post? Please give it a “heart” ❤️ and share or restack it.
More posts of mine I think you’ll love…
✨ Products I’ve Loved This Week…
Each week, I highlight 2 of my favorite picks in the categories of travel gadgets, clean beauty, fashion, and more.
Here is this week’s list:
* SafetyWing Travel Insurance.* I recommend using SafetyWing if you’re a digital nomad or a traveler. Having this insurance saved me quite a bit of money last year, and it’s one of those things that helps with peace of mind!
* Ororo Heated Jacket.* I’m obsessed with this heated jacket and recently posted a TikTok from the foggy forest in Portugal about why I love it.
*Affiliate links.
💻 New Blog Posts on AmySuto.com
* Working Remotely in Spitalfields, London, England (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
* Working Remotely in Edinburgh, UK (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
* Working Remotely in Krakow, Poland (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
📸 Photo of the Week: Dragon Tail Hike in Madeira, Portugal
The hiking in Madeira is unreal. Full travel guide coming soon for this gorgeous island :)
Follow me on Substack Notes and Instagram for more!
Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,
-Amy
When you wander through the streets of Spitalfields, you're immediately struck by the perfect blend of historic charm and modern urban energy. This vibrant neighborhood in East London, reborn from its dark “Jack The Ripper” past is nestled between the financial district and the trendy Shoreditch area and offers a unique experience for digital nomads looking for a dynamic place to work and explore.
From the bustling Spitalfields Market with its array of artisanal goods and diverse food options to the eclectic mix of vintage shops and street art along Brick Lane, there's always something new to discover. As a hub for creatives and entrepreneurs, Spitalfields provides an inspiring backdrop for remote work, with plenty of cafes, boba shops, and interesting things to do to keep you motivated and engaged.
During our stay, we indulged in some of the best cuisine London has to offer, from authentic Neapolitan pizza to mouthwatering Indian breakfast wraps. We explored the area's rich history, enjoyed its vibrant art scene, and even ventured out for a day trip to Cambridge. Whether you're looking for a quiet corner to work or a lively atmosphere to network, Spitalfields has it all.
In this post you’ll read about…
✍️ What a week in a sleepy village in Madeira looks like
📚 How I spend my time as a freelance memoir ghostwriter, creator, and fiction author
✨ How I balance fiction writing with all of my other projects
📖 3-Minute Story: A Week in a Writer's Life Working Remotely in Madeira, Portugal
Note: this post contains affiliate links*, which help support my newsletter at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting my writing!
This month, we’re staying in a co-living digital nomad hotel known as Outsite*, and their Ponta Do Sol, Madeira location has been my favorite so far.
While Kyle and I have been running around the island and visiting the foggy forest and some gorgeous hikes on the island, I also wanted to share a “realistic” deep work week in my life here in our quaint little village.
Sunday | My Sunday Reset Routine
10am: Dip in the Ocean and Breakfast. My partner Kyle and I wake up, swim in the ocean, and then make eggs for breakfast. We meet some new people who have checked into the house — always a nice perk of the digital nomad life.
11:30am: My Sunday Reset Rituals. My focus is on my weekly Sunday Reset rituals, such as journaling, getting to inbox zero, and writing my Substack posts for the upcoming week or two. Kyle and I didn’t sleep super well as there was a local festival going on, so we spend a few hours working before calling it a day and meal prep some vegetable soup for the week.
Monday | Deep Work & Meeting Day
10am: Breakfast and Deep Work. I skip the ocean swim today because I have some exciting projects to kick off! I spend my morning doing some less-than-fun admin work, but I feel so much satisfaction when the hard boring parts of running a business are completed and taken care of.
2pm-6pm: Client Kickoff Calls and Discovery Calls. It’s a big meeting day today, so I’ve got a little less than 4 hours of calls with some wonderful new clients and potential clients who are interested in having my help with their book projects. I’ve been really enjoying my work as a book ghostwriter and editor for the past 8 years, and the kickoff calls today were so much fun. I love supporting other authors with their books. This process is hard, and writing and publishing a book is more of a team sport than people realize!
6pm-7pm: Post-Call Follow-Ups. After my calls, I do some wrap-up work such as sending off contracts and invoices. Then, I eat some dinner with my partner Kyle. There aren’t many great restaurants in our part of the island, so we’ve been cooking in the gigantic kitchen in the Outsite for most of our meals, which is a nice change of pace.
Tuesday | Deep Work, Social Posts, Podcast Interview
9:30am-noon: Breakfast and Social Media Post Editing. I’m up a little earlier than normal because I’ve got a lot I want to accomplish today, starting with some short-form video editing. Last week, Kyle and I shot some short TikTok videos in the Madeira foggy forest to promote my favorite travel gadget ever — the Ororo Heated Jacket, which is discounted on TikTok shop or you can grab it from my Amazon shop here.* I take some time to edit the footage, and I’m thrilled to share it with y’all as I genuinely believe this is the secret to staying warm everywhere I travel, and it allows me to be a minimalist who travels full-time with just a carry-on suitcase with a wardrobe that works great with all 4 seasons. Ororo was kind enough to offer to ship me one of their new jackets to try out and review, so I’ll keep you posted on what I think of their latest jacket whenever I’m able to get back to the States for long enough to receive mail. 😊
Noon-4pm: Deep Work. I spend the rest of my deep work time doing writing work, filming Substack audits for two amazing writers, and staying on top of my inbox (which sometimes feels like its own full-time job!)
4pm-5pm: Podcast Interview. I wrap up my work for the day by doing a podcast interview to promote my new fiction book, The Nomad Detective: Volume I which has been getting glowing reviews. I’ve been working on the stories for Volume II, so can’t wait to share those with you in early 2025!
5pm-11pm: Dinner, Waterfall Hike, and Fiction Writing. After work is done for the day, my partner Kyle and I grab some dinner from a local restaurant (Kyle gets a burger, I get a cauliflower steak) and then we embark on a waterfall hike as the sun sets. When we get back, I still have some energy, so I spend a few hours writing my new romantasy novel that is inspired by the setting of Madeira.
Wednesday | Deep Work & Fiction Writing Day
10am-noon: Breakfast and Emails. We start the day with some breakfast, and I make my morning hot chocolate with cacao and some oat milk. I’m still caffeine-free and feeling great (no coffee, no chai, no matcha, no caffeinated tea!) but I’m a sucker for a sweet treat so my little hot chocolate in the morning is my gift to myself for crushing my inbox each day. (Also, I don’t believe chocolate counts as caffeine. Fight me in the comments if you disagree!)
Noon-5pm: Deep Work and Cooking Green Curry. Kyle and I spend the day doing the “boring” part of this lifestyle that never hits the ‘gram. We spend the day working, cooking some epic green curry with whatever vegetables we find left in our fridge shelf, and do some laundry. Perks of being able to work from “home” is being able to throw laundry into the wash in-between emails.
5pm-midnight: Reading, Waterfall Hike, and Fiction Writing. After dinner, we go on a waterfall hike at sunset again, stopping by a local self-serve banana farm on our way. When we get back, I finish reading Quicksilver, and despite immediately falling into a reading slump and trying to find my next book hit, I get some great inspiration for the romantasy novel I’m working on. I spend the rest of the evening working on my book!
Thursday | Deep Work & Podcast Interview
10am-5pm: Breakfast, Deep Work, Fiction Writing, Admin Work. Today is another eclectic work day because there’s been so much client activity and new projects lately. I juggle my client work with my fiction writing and admin work, and take stock of what I want to finish before the end of the year — and what I want for 2025. The best time to plan for the new year? It’s not on December 31st. It’s at the start of Q3.
5pm: Podcast Interview. I wrap up my day with a podcast interview — more promotion for my book! — and then it’s time to cook dinner and turn in early as I’ve had some late nights lately.
Friday | Last Work & Beach Days
9am-3pm: Emails, Breakfast, Client Work, Admin Stuff. I’m up earlier than normal today because our room is getting cleaned, so Kyle and I start our workday down in the co-working space. I’ve got a lot of “admin” tasks this week because new clients are starting, so the initial invoices and contracts are all getting finalized. My memoir ghostwriting projects sometimes require travel, so I’ve got to do some admin work by sorting out and finalizing travel dates and interviews with clients and their friends and family. I don’t mind it — I love making new travel plans, if you can’t tell! — and I do think the in person component can add some extra flavor and texture to a book (depending on the project.)
3:30pm: Podcast Interview. My work day ends with another podcast interview — this one discussing the benefits entrepreneurs can get from the book publishing process — and then it’s time to chill!
4:30pm: Ocean Swim. Kyle and I are feeling a bit low energy, so what better way to spend a sunny Friday than on the beach? We hop into the ocean for a swim, and the whole town is out suntanning and enjoying the last rays of summer. We’re still getting gorgeous days that are 70 degrees and sunny, but I know it’ll start to cool down in our seaside village soon.
Saturday | Farmer’s Market Trip & “Rest” Day
10am-11:30am: Farmer’s Market and Vegan Brunch. It’s my favorite day of the week! Kyle and I go to the farmer’s market where we run into one of our nomad friends at the kombucha booth. We purchase our weekly fresh kombucha and organic produce that is grown by local farmers on the island. Then, we head to a vegan restaurant nearby that’s only open two days per week and order some fresh juice and absolutely heavenly open-faced vegan sandwiches with homemade vegan cheese and carrot “lox.” We round out our errands by stopping at the only grocery store in town to pick up some last groceries for the soup we make each week here.
11:30am-Noon: Laundry, Emails. When we get back, I put our laundry into the wash and then sit down to do some emails — a very Sisyphean task, according to my weekly Toggl log that I keep for myself to see how much time I’m spending on different things.
Noon-3pm: Writing This Substack Post, Deep Work. I saw that y’all enjoyed my previous post about a week in a writer’s life working remotely in London, so I thought I’d do that for this week in Madeira! After writing this post and dropping it into Wondercraft AI* to make a podcast episode for my podcast feed, I switch gears to some other deep work.
3pm-7pm: Rest Time, Reading, and Ocean Swim. I just started reading The Witch Collector and am really digging this very beautifully written romantasy (and I’m trying to get over my Quicksilver reading slump!) so I take the afternoon to rest, read, and swim in the ocean.
7pm: Podcast Interview. Another day, another delightful podcast interview with a great host to promote my book The Nomad Detective: Volume I! I’ve got quite a few interviews coming up in the next few weeks, then I’ll have a bit of a break from the PR rush and I’ll begin to switch gears back to fully immersing myself in the writing process.
That’s my week! If you want to build a freelance writing business and travel the world, I have a spot left in my 30 Day Coaching Program: Freelancing Foundations that’s my signature one-on-one program that helps writers build and grow freelancing careers so they can work from their PJs or the island of Madeira.
Enjoyed today’s post? Please give it a “heart” ❤️ and share or restack it.
More posts of mine I think you’ll love…
✨ Products I’ve Loved This Week…
Each week, I highlight 2 of my favorite picks in the categories of travel gadgets, clean beauty, fashion, and more.
Here is this week’s list:
* Taft’s Silk Pillowcase.* Every time I forget to put my silk pillowcase on my pillow, my skin and hair look a little worse for wear. I used to struggle with acne, but sleeping with a silk pillowcase helped so much to clear my skin that I travel with 2 of these so I’m never without it on laundry days!
* Noise Cancelling Airpod Pros.* I ditched my over-ear headphones for these bad boys, and they’re my go-to for plane flights and daily work sessions. When co-working spaces can get a bit noisy, these are great antidotes so I can truly work anywhere without getting distracted.
💻 New Blog Posts on AmySuto.com
* Book Review: Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy Book #1) by Callie Hart
* Working Remotely in Spitalfields, London, England (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
* Working Remotely in Edinburgh, UK (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
📸 Photo of the Week: Chasing Waterfalls
The waterfall hikes in Madeira are next level. Can’t recommend working here enough! A full travel guide is coming to my blog AmySuto.com at the end of the month.
Follow me on Substack Notes and Instagram for more!
Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,
-Amy
p.s. I create my newsletter voiceovers and my podcast episodes using the tool Wondercraft AI, a text-to-speech tool that speaks in YOUR voice. 🎙 Use my code SUTO50 or this link* to get 50% off your first month on Wondercraft!(paid/affiliate link)
In this post you’ll read about…
✍️ The "2-Minute Rule” — your new secret weapon against procrastination
📚 How to sneakily guide your brain into a productive flow state
✨ The simple daily habit that can transform your work and writing life
📖 3-Minute Story: Hack Your Way into Flow State (A Procrastinator's Guide)
We've all been there: staring at a blank page, watching the cursor blink mockingly, while our minds wander to literally anything else.
Procrastination is the arch-nemesis of creativity, but what if I told you there's a way to outsmart it?
Today, we're diving into the world of flow state — that magical zone where work feels effortless and time flies by — and how even the most dedicated procrastinators can hack their way into it.
Understanding Flow State
First coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, flow state is a mental condition where you're fully immersed in a task.
During flow, people report feeling energized, focused, and fulfilled in the process. It's the secret sauce behind those miraculous writing sessions where you look up and realize hours have passed in what felt like minutes.
The Procrastinator's Dilemma
Procrastination often stems from overwhelm or fear of imperfection. We avoid starting because the task seems too big or we're afraid our work won't meet our own high standards. The key is to bypass this mental roadblock and ease into work mode without triggering our avoidance instincts.
The 2-Minute Rule
Here's where the hack comes in: the 2-Minute Rule. The concept is simple: commit to working on your task for just two minutes. That's it. Two minutes is so short that your brain doesn't have time to protest. It doesn't trigger the overwhelm or perfectionism that leads to procrastination.
How It Works
* Choose your task: the one you've been avoiding.
* Set a timer for two minutes.
* Start working, promising yourself you can stop when the timer goes off.
* When the timer dings, decide if you want to continue or stop.
The beauty of this hack is twofold. First, often just starting is the hardest part. Once you begin, you might find yourself wanting to continue past the two minutes. Second, even if you do stop, you've still made progress, which can build momentum for your next session.
Riding the Wave Into Flow State
As you repeat this process, you're likely to find yourself working for longer stretches. This is where the magic happens. By gently easing into your work without the pressure of a long commitment, you're creating the perfect conditions for flow state to occur.
Remember, flow state typically requires:
* Clear goals
* Immediate feedback
* A balance between challenge and skill
The 2-Minute Rule helps establish these conditions by setting a clear, achievable goal (work for two minutes), providing immediate feedback (you did it!), and balancing the challenge (your task) with your skill (anyone can do anything for two minutes).
Making It a Habit
To maximize this hack, try to make it a daily habit. Set aside a specific time each day for your two-minute sessions. Over time, you'll likely find that these sessions naturally extend as you slip into flow state more easily.
The Takeaway
Procrastination doesn't have to be a life sentence. By using the 2-Minute Rule to trick your brain into starting, you're paving the way for productive, flowing work sessions.
Remember, the goal isn't to shame yourself into working longer: it's to gently guide yourself into a state where work feels good.
So, the next time you're tempted to put off that writing project or creative task, tell yourself: just two minutes. You might be surprised where those two minutes take you.
Enjoyed today’s post? Please give it a “heart” ❤️ and share or restack it.
More posts of mine I think you’ll love…
✨ Products I’ve Loved This Week…
Each week, I highlight 2 of my favorite picks in the categories of travel gadgets, clean beauty, fashion, and more.
Here is this week’s list:
* OmList. This is my favorite movie recommendation app built by Kyle Cords. If you want to find your next favorite movie by simply swiping left and right, then download this app!
* Airalo E-Sim.* (affiliate link) When traveling, I use Airalo’s E-Sim service for my phone. You can just download an e-sim onto your iPhone using their app, and it’s super easy to install — and very reliable. Great for long-term travelers.
💻 New Blog Posts on AmySuto.com
* Working Remotely in Edinburgh, UK (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
* Working Remotely in Krakow, Poland (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
* Working Remotely in Istanbul, Turkey (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
📸 Photo of the Week: Sunsets in Madeira
Taking my tea to the beach is one of my favorite ways to watch the sunset here in Madeira!
Follow me on Substack Notes and Instagram for more!
Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,
-Amy
p.s. I create my newsletter voiceovers and my podcast episodes using the tool Wondercraft AI, a text-to-speech tool that speaks in YOUR voice. 🎙 Use my code SUTO50 or this link* to get started on Wondercraft! (paid/affiliate link)
In this post you’ll read about…
✍️ A week in the life of a writer working remotely from London
📚 What a week’s worth of book publicity looks like for a self-published author
✨ Some of the things I’m grateful for in the wake of my fiction debut of The Nomad Detective: Volume I
📖 3-Minute Story: A Week in the Life of a Writer Working Remotely from London
One of my favorite types of posts to read here on Substack are “day-in-the-life” or travel diary posts from fellow writers. I’m always curious how other professionals structure their days — especially in the wake of book launches or other big career events.
I’ve been so grateful for the positive reception The Nomad Detective: Volume I has gotten so far — so thank you to those of you who have taken the time to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads for the book.
Here’s what a week looked like working remotely from London — especially as I’m amidst the flurry of book PR and podcast interviews right now!
// Sunday - Rest & Writing Day
11am - Green Juice and Wandering. I’ve just arrived in London a few days ago from Edinburgh, and I’ve just settled into our new flat for the next two weeks here. My partner Kyle and I have already done all of our “new destination chores” as digital nomads. This includes activities such as finding a grocery store and stocking the fridge, doing laundry, and unpacking our suitcases. We sleep in and start our day by wandering through the Spitalfields Market nearby, where we acquire green juices (a key part of our routine.)
12pm - Writing Session. As a digital nomad and full-time writer, my “workweek” looks different each week. Because of that, I use a few afternoon hours on Sunday to get prepped for the week and also fit in a few hours of writing.
6pm - Dinner. My partner Kyle and I go out to an amazing dinner at a tapas place down the street from our London flat, and I remember how much I love watermelon and feta.
8pm - Alien Romulus Screening. We finish dinner early, so we decide to spend the next hour taking a leisurely sunset stroll all the way down to the BFI theater to catch our screening of Alien Romulus in IMAX. It’s a totally fine movie that makes me remember why I love books more than films these days.
// Monday - Writing Work Day & Press Interviews
10am - Deep Work Session. The workweek begins! Kyle and I stop by the market for our morning green juice. Kyle’s got plans elsewhere in the city today, but I’ve got interviews and work to do so it’s back to the flat for me! I relish the time to do some deep work and dive into a Substack Audit I’m doing for a fellow writer’s Substack to help her monetize and earn more from her writing. I switch gears to work on another client’s Substack, and then afterward I cook a small brunch at home before diving back into some ghostwriting for a memoir ghostwriting client of mine.
2:30pm - The Nomad Detective: Volume I Press Interviews. I spend the rest of the day doing interviews for my new book. I have some great conversations with podcast hosts and interviewers that I’m excited to share with you once they come out! One interview I’m particularly excited for you to hear is my conversation with Doreen Cumberford for the Nomadic Diaries podcast. Doreen is an expat living in Mexico who is from Scotland, and she’s got a great podcast series coming out soon on the topic of what it means to return home as a nomad. We discuss my book The Nomad Detective: Volume I as well as what it means to be a digital nomad and what “home” means to us.
5pm - Dinner and Last Emails. I wrap up the interviews shortly after 5pm. I go out and grab some tacos and enjoy the nice weather before returning to finish up some writing and emails and then start to wind down for bed around 9pm as we have an early start for the next morning.
// Tuesday - Day Off to Visit Cambridge
8am - Leave for Cambridge. Kyle’s family is visiting, so we’re up early at 8am to head to the train station so that we can make our way to Cambridge for a day trip. We do a "punting tour” where we’re on a boat and a college student shares the history of all the old colleges as we coast through a little canal that passes underneath stone bridges. After that, we get lunch at a pub and explore the city. We get home around 7pm and I answer some emails before calling it a day. Fun day trips like this are one of the perks of living the nomad life!
// Wednesday - Friend Meetups & Writing Work Day
8am - Deep Work Session #1. I start my day with a green smoothie and then dive into my work for the day. I clear emails, rewrite a personal essay for my editor at a major publication, and share the guest post I’ve written called “3 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Hire Ghostwriters” for my friend Renee Puvvada’s amazing Substack Smokin' Hot Book Funnels — which you should absolutely be subscribed to if you have any interest in writing a book and getting it into the hands of your readers! Renee has sold over 10,000 copies of her self-published book, so she’s truly an expert. I take a break at 12:30pm to eat some lunch at home.
1pm - Tea with Friends. In the afternoon, Kyle and I break to get tea with a few friends at a cafe on Brick Lane. As nomads, it’s always nice to catch up with friends in the different cities we’re in.
3pm - Afternoon Snack and Deep Work Session #2. On our way back to our Airbnb, we stop to eat some dumplings at a street food market by the vintage shops on Brick Lane. Then, I’m back at my computer for my second deep work session of the day. I mainly focus on doing some writing for myself and my ghostwriting clients, but also queue up some social posts for my Substack post on How to Make Writing Your Job.
5pm - Immersive Theater Show & Meet Up with a Fellow Nomad. We met up with a fellow nomad to see Viola’s Room — a crazy immersive show here in London put on by Punch Drunk (who also did Sleep No More) where you take off your shoes and wander through a maze while an audio story happens all around you. Words can’t describe how unique this haunting story was, so if you find yourself in London you’ll just have to go yourself. After the show, we grabbed pizza at a local pub before heading home.
// Thursday - Book PR & Writing Work Day
9:30am - Deep Work Session #1. I acquire green juice and hot chocolate and sit down at my desk to jam through emails, complete a Substack Setup for a client’s new publication, and continue to clear things off of my to-do list.
Noon - Lunch at Brick Lane Market. I take a break to get lunch with my partner Kyle at the food market on Brick Lane. We scope out a great Ethiopian food place with lots of good veggies for lunch.
1pm - Deep Work Session #2. I switch gears, working on some ghostwriting work for a book client. I’m really excited for the world to read their book — it’s been coming together so well so far!
3pm-7pm - Podcast Interviews and a Discovery Call. I switch gears for the afternoon, which is filled with more podcast interviews to promote my book. I love chatting about my writing process for this book, and I have some great conversations with podcast hosts. Then, I hop on a discovery call for a potential client who wants help with writing a book.
7pm - Dinner at Spitafields Market. Today is an “eat-food-at-local-markets” day and we stop by Spitafields to get sushi burritos for a quick bite.
8pm - Deep Work Session #3. I have a bit more writing to do, so I head back to wrap up the day with one last deep work session. I don’t usually work this late, but things have been busy lately, so I put in a bit more elbow grease to end the week!
// Friday - Light Work Day
10am - Deep Work Session #1. It’s Friday, so I sleep in a bit before going out to get green smoothies. I finish writing my travel guide for Working Remotely in Edinburgh, UK and post it on my blog. After, I answer emails from potential clients who want help with their books. I wrap up work around 3pm and take the rest of the day off to unwind and read a book.
// Saturday - Book PR Day & Rest Day
10am - Croissants and Hot Chocolate. It’s Saturday, and even though it’s raining here in London we head to a croissant spot a friend of ours recommended that supposedly has the most French croissants in town. They do — I can taste the butter on the flaky pastry, and the hot chocolate I get as well is perfection. When we get home, I spend the afternoon reading and hanging out — it’s been a busy week!
6pm - Podcast Interview, Ghostwriting Work, & Emails. I don’t usually work on Saturdays, but I end up doing a great podcast interview for my book and wrap up some last ghostwriting work for a client. I don’t mind doing some weekend work as I know we’re headed to Madeira this upcoming week, so I want to clear more off my plate so I can really enjoy the island when we arrive! At 9pm I wrap up and call it a week.
Enjoyed today’s post? Please give it a “heart” ❤️ and share or restack it.
More posts of mine I think you’ll love…
✨ Products I’ve Loved This Week…
Each week, I highlight 2 of my favorite picks in the categories of travel gadgets, clean beauty, fashion, and more.
Here is this week’s list:
* My LARQ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle.* This water bottle is not only stylish and lightweight — the self-cleaning UV system is ingenious. My previous water bottles would get yucky fast, but my LARQ stays fresher longer.
* LumeCube Mobile Content Creator Set.* Since I’ve been doing tons of podcast interviews (many of which are on-camera) I use this creator kit to help position my lighting. It’s compact and great for travelers and content creators of all kinds!
💻 New Blog Posts on AmySuto.com
* Working Remotely in Edinburgh, UK (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
* Working Remotely in Krakow, Poland (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
* Working Remotely in Istanbul, Turkey (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
📸 Photo of the Week: London Sunset Strolls
Enjoying summer strolls in London 💛
Follow me on Substack Notes and Instagram for more!
Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,
-Amy
p.s. I create my newsletter voiceovers and my podcast episodes using the tool Wondercraft AI, a text-to-speech tool that speaks in YOUR voice. 🎙 Use my code SUTO50 or this link* to get started on Wondercraft! (paid/affiliate link)
📖 3-Minute Story: I Quit Caffeine and I Hate How Much Better I Feel
Listen.
I did not want to write this post.
I just wanted to be proven wrong.
But it has been a month since I quit caffeine. And I regret to inform you that, yes, life is actually better with decaf.
I have been a latte fiend since I discovered Starbucks at the tender age of 15, and then started becoming an espresso snob at home ever since. My whole family commits to the caffeine bit: we have a history of brewing tea in the sunshine to get maximum caffeine intake, and coffee is a love language.
However, when I quit caffeine for the first time a few years ago doing a full reset on my health while reversing my autoimmune condition, I found that I had quite an iron deficiency that was being masked by (you guessed it!) my insane coffee intake. (1-2 French presses worth of coffee per day was normal for me.)
After being forced to go cold turkey on coffee for a few months, I returned to the caff — but this time, with just matcha lattes, AKA: coffee’s baby sister.
This was all fine and dandy, but after some time I slipped-and-fell back into the arms of Starbucks Sweet Cream Cold Brews and a smattering of flat whites and even straight espresso: the coffeeist of all coffees out there.
And while I’ve maintained my health even while drinking caffeine, over the past few months I started to notice a rise in anxiety and jitteriness. I was having severe afternoon slumps, and my productivity and energy levels were not looking good.
I knew it in my heart: it was time to quit caffeine — yes, all caffeine — for good.
As a fellow writer, you’ve probably been exposed to the Big Coffee Agenda: all those lovely stock photos of books and typewriters next to some epic latte art.
But despite coffee being a part of my personality, I knew I needed to quit if I wanted to have a more balanced day.
I just didn’t expect it to be SO much different.
Since quitting caffeine, here’s what I’ve experienced:
* More consistent daily energy. I have more energy for longer. Even though the mornings are a bit slower, I’m more energized. I drink peppermint tea or homemade ginger tea with lemon in the mornings if I need a bit of a decaf zing to start the day.
* No more afternoon slumps and higher productivity. I don’t feel drained in the afternoon anymore, which is pretty shocking. In my coffee era, I used to treat my afternoon slump with more caffeine — or I’d just find myself zoning out and unable to focus. Now, I’m productive all day and don’t feel like staring into the void when 3pm hits.
* It’s easier to stick to my workout schedule. I’ve found that it’s actually easier to stick with a workout schedule without caffeine: I’m more energized, so going to the gym is more appealing. Maybe I’ll become a morning workout person.
* Pretty much no more stress, anxiety, or jitteriness. Some things do still stress me out, but I’ve seen a huge decrease in anxiety that comes out of nowhere (i.e. did I leave the stove on/forget something important/what if [crazy catastrophic bad thing] happens?) My mood is a lot more stable and I feel so much more calm. Who knew?
* I save money (and time!) not going out of my way to find a caffeine fix. My daily fun drink habit cost anywhere from $5-$12 per day. That's $1,825-$4,380 per year 😱 Not to mention all the time it takes to go run out and track down coffee while traveling, or to grab supplies to make it at home. Instead, I can use this time and money for healthier drinks like green juices and smoothies.
* Better sleep. I’ve always slept pretty well, but I’ve been more rested since quitting caffeine.
If you’re considering quitting caffeine, welcome to the club! I’m glad you’re here. Just know that the first week will feel like a garbage fire, but just allow yourself time for more afternoon naps when possible. Get your coffee alternatives (such as herbal tea, ginger tea, or turmeric lattes!) ready for when your cravings strike, and promise yourself to at least make it a month without caffeine. Then, see how you feel.
I’ve made a ton of healthy changes over the past few years. Every time I’ve gotten rid of something like alcohol that I had never pictured removing from my life, I’ve seen a cascade of benefits flow into my life.
Part of our jobs as writers/creators/entrepreneurs include taking care of ourselves. I’d be curious to hear if you’ve given up something like caffeine or alcohol and how that has affected you in the comments.
More posts of mine I think you’ll love…
✨ 2 Things I’ve Loved This Week…
Each week, I highlight 2 of my favorite picks in the categories of travel gadgets, clean beauty, fashion, and more. Here is this week’s list:
* Shoes: Blundstone Boots. When we were in Edinburgh last week, everybody and their mother was wearing a pair of Blundstone boots. I have the lace-up kind that has great ankle support, and they’re not only perfect for hiking, but they also are nice enough to wear out to dinner — perfect for nomads. They’re also waterproof, which is essential for rainy places like Edinburgh.
* Drink: Peppermint Tea. I used to have pretty bad hormonal acne, but one of the many changes I made that helped me get clear skin was incorporating peppermint tea. It improves your skin by encouraging cell turnover and reducing sebum production. A combination of peppermint tea with a very minimal skincare routine (micellar water for cleansing, and a simple moisturizer and Korean sunscreen) allowed me to go makeup-free and have the clearest skin of my life. Just make sure to get an organic peppermint tea and stay away from bad brands that have glyphosate in them or other pesticides. Loose leaf is best!
✍️ 1 Journal Prompt
* Mood Changers. Write about a day in the life of you and your changing moods. Is there anything that is affecting you positively or negatively that you could maybe remove or re-examine?
Feel free to share anything that came up for you in the comments:
💻 New Blog Posts on AmySuto.com
* Working Remotely in Edinburgh, UK (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
* Working Remotely in Krakow, Poland (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
* Working Remotely in Istanbul, Turkey (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
📸 Photo of the Week: Peru #Throwback
A little over a year ago, I embarked on the 4-day, 26-mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu — which inspired one of the stories in my new detective book The Nomad Detective: Volume I!
Follow me on Substack Notes and Instagram for more!
Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,
-Amy
p.s. I create my newsletter voiceovers and my podcast episodes using the tool Wondercraft AI, a text-to-speech tool that speaks in YOUR voice. 🎙 Use my code SUTO50 or this link* to get started on Wondercraft! (paid/affiliate link)
When you stroll down the streets of Edinburgh, it feels like you’ve entered a magical world of wizards, bagpipes, and horse-drawn carriages. This stunning medieval city is also home to the world-renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where hundreds of thousands of theatergoers descend on the city to see indie theater productions and musicals put on in both high-end theaters and local pubs.
My partner Kyle and I visited for this Fringe Fest, finding ourselves watching musical adaptations about Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski accident case as well as a well-made one-woman show about a weather girl losing her mind as wildfires sweep California and she searches for her homeless mother.
This festival gave birth to shows like Fleabag, but it’s also a wild time to be in the city. You’re clamoring past crowds as buskers and street performers try to grab your attention by throwing fire or doing magic tricks. You’re trying (and failing) to avoid spending $20 on a sandwich. And as you wind through a narrow stone alleyway past the castle, a lone bagpipe player serenades you under the twilight as torches burn from the top of the towers of the castle.
We threw paper airplanes in pubs that held contests for just this type of activity. We ate amazing naan breakfast rolls at Dishoom and delighted in their creamy chai lattes. We ducked into bookstores to avoid the “summer” weather of rainstorms and wind.
Edinburgh is a special place, but it’s also expensive and cold. If you know what to expect and pack a pair of waterproof boots and an umbrella (yes, even in the summer!) then you’re likely to have a great time in this city.
In this post you’ll read about…
✨ How writing connects us to our past — and future
✍️ The importance of telling your story
⚡️ Musings from a summer day in Shoreditch
📖 3-Minute Story: How to Achieve Immortality With Your Book
"To experience time travel, read.
To achieve immortality, write."
—James Clear
It’s a sunny day in London. My partner Kyle and I have just escaped the frigid Edinburgh “summer” (read: lots of wind and moody rainstorms) and have spent our morning wandering around Shoreditch.
We buy fresh fruits and track down our favorite chai latte at Chai Baba above the Brick Lane vintage market.
I’ve tempted fates with this caffeine splurge (I’ve been almost entirely caffeine-free for the past month!) and get mildly jittery but it passes as we continue our stroll down Brick Lane.
It’s seventy degrees and sunny: a soft breeze tosses my hair as we dip in and out of cute shops and I finally find the perfect corduroy tote bag I’ve been on the hunt for since my last bag I bought a year ago in Athens fell apart at the seams. Kyle buys it for me like the thoughtful partner he is, and we round out the rest of our groceries and pick up smoothies on the way back to our sun-drenched flat.
As we head home, my phone pings with a message: one of my nomad friends has just shared my new book The Nomad Detective: Volume I with our Costa Rica group chat:
A super sweet comment — and something that, as a writer, I love to hear.
(Especially as the book just came out — it can be so terrifying waiting to hear what people think once your work of fiction starts being read by wider audiences!)
As many of you know, the first book in The Nomad Detective series is (very loosely) inspired by my travels as a digital nomad.
While the book is a work of fiction with made-up characters, I still wanted to transport my readers into this globetrotting mystery as Detective Violet Chase solves cases while trying to find her missing sister.
It’s my hope that this book helps people travel — even if they never board a plane to any of the places I write about. And that’s one of the many unexpected benefits of fiction — and of being an author.
That’s why being a writer, as author James Clear so eloquently puts it, helps you achieve “immortality.”
If your work is good enough, it will line bookshelves for decades (and sometimes, centuries) after your death.
But in order to achieve this immortality, you have to put pen to paper. (Or hire a ghostwriter or editor to help you.)
And then — sometimes the scariest part — you have to hit “publish” in some form. (You can read my free guide on how to publish your book on Amazon here!)
So what are you writing today?
More posts of mine I think you’ll love…
✨ 2 Things I’ve Loved This Week…
I’m changing this section and rounding out my favorite clean beauty products, travel gadgets, and other faves each week. Here’s the list:
* Clean beauty pick: this biorock deodorant* is my new favorite nontoxic product that I picked up while working remotely in Istanbul a few months ago (and it’s done wonders in the European heatwaves I’ve been in lately!) It’s a crystal-based deodorant that kills odor causing bacteria, and you use it by putting water on it before applying. What I love about this nontoxic deodorant is that it doesn’t stain your clothes or have an artificial fragrance. These things supposedly last a year, which also makes it budgetcore.
* Clothing/travel gadget pick: my heated jacket* came in clutch in Edinburgh “summer.” Everyone always asks me about this jacket when I’m out and about, and it’s easily the best gift I’ve ever been given. (Shoutout to Kyle for finding this!) If you get cold easily or need a jacket that’s perfect for multiple temperatures, this is an absolute gamechanger. It’s changed my life as a digital nomad (and freed up so much space in my carry-on!)
*These are affiliate links, FYI! I earn a small commission at no cost to you if you choose to purchase. Thanks for supporting this newsletter!
✍️ 1 Journal Prompt
* Your Immortal Words. If you could share one message with the world that would outlive you for generations, what would it be?
Feel free to share anything that came up for you in the comments:
💻 New Blog Posts on AmySuto.com
* Working Remotely in Krakow, Poland (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
* Working Remotely in Istanbul, Turkey (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)
* Best Travel Credit Cards for Digital Nomads
📸 Photo of the Week: ReadingCore ❤️
I’ve been spending a lot of time in bookstores, reading, and writing my next book! Looking forward to sharing more with you soon ❤️
Follow me on Substack Notes and Instagram for more!
Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,
-Amy
p.s. I create my newsletter voiceovers and my podcast episodes using the tool Wondercraft AI, a text-to-speech tool that speaks in YOUR voice. 🎙 Use my code SUTO50 or this link* to get started on Wondercraft! (paid/affiliate link)
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