One of the best perks of my job is the freedom to work remotely—no office holding me hostage five days a week. So when September rolled around, I figured: why not turn “Work From Home” into “Work From Anywhere”? Credit where it’s due, the spark for that idea came from my fiancé. With his nudge, I packed my bags, grabbed my laptop, and took off to Naro Moru for a full week.
The Airbnb I landed in was the definition of hidden gem: perched in what felt like the middle of nowhere, but with views so gorgeous they could’ve been postcards. Think rolling hills, crisp mountain air, and sunrises that made my mornings feel like National Geographic moments. Sunsets that made me forget about my phone and my life outside of that moment. It was part adventure, part productivity hack, and honestly… the best kind of “office with a view.”
I picked the best time, FHL week. FHL stands for Fix, Hack, Learn. It’s a dedicated time where we put regular meetings and work on pause and instead focus on building, experimenting, and sharpening our skills. The quiet of Naro Moru became the perfect backdrop for this—where the stillness of nature matched the mental space I suddenly had without constant calendar pings.
Mornings in Naro Moru had their own rhythm, and I quickly fell into it. I’d wake up and let the sunlight pour into my new little home through its many big windows—it always felt like the day was inviting me to start fresh. First order of business: the percolator. It brewed exactly one perfect cup of coffee, just enough for me, and somehow that ritual made it feel even more intentional.
Cup in hand, I’d step outside to greet the sunrise. The sky always seemed to put on a show—shades of pink and gold spilling across the horizon while the resident animals wandered nearby like curious neighbours. Birds sang, the air smelled of lavender my favourite scent btw, and for a few quiet minutes it felt like the world had paused just for me.
Then, once my mind felt settled and caffeinated, I’d tuck myself into the cutest vintage writing desk with my laptop, ready to dive into code. That week’s focus was my FHL project: building an AI agent to take over some of the mundane little tasks that usually eat up my day. In that space—quiet, natural, distraction-free—I found a flow that was rare back in the city. It was productivity wrapped in peace.
But life in Naro Moru wasn’t just about work. I love nature—how could I not, when I grew up surrounded by it? At the same time, I can’t deny my fondness for modern comforts. My routine that week blended both. Every day, without fail, I carved out time for a swim at midday and again in the evening, just to get my heart pumping. Afterwards, I’d sink into the jacuzzi or, on some days, step into the sauna for twenty minutes. Those moments of steam and heat felt like pressing reset, sweating out the stresses and anxieties I had—unfortunately—dragged along from the city.
One of the quirks of being in the middle of nowhere—and whether this is a good thing or not depends on how you look at it—is the complete lack of Uber Eats. For someone like me, who doesn’t exactly light up at the thought of cooking, this was a challenge. Normally, I cook because I have to, not because I want to.
But that week pushed me out of my comfort zone. With no delivery apps to fall back on, I rolled up my sleeves, planned out a little menu, and actually followed it to the letter. And here’s the plot twist: I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it. There was something strangely satisfying about making my own meals, sitting down with food I had put together, and realising it wasn’t half bad. My man would love that—he always lights up when I cook. Now the real challenge is carrying that same energy back home—without the mountain views as motivation.
My nights had their own little ritual, the kind that made every evening feel intentional. I’d light a fire, make myself dinner, pour a glass of wine, and curl up with a good book—all before slipping into bed by 10 p.m. It was simple, it was cozy, and honestly, it felt like the kind of rhythm I didn’t know I was missing.
I even managed to avoid social media and Netflix for the most part, which felt like a digital detox I didn’t know I needed. That is… until I turned the last page of the only book I’d carried with me. With no more chapters left to savour, I gave in and started watching Adolescence. Highly recommend, by the way—if you haven’t seen it yet, you’re in for a treat.
Disconnecting from the world is something I’d honestly recommend everyone try every so often—it’s refreshing in ways you don’t expect. I’m definitely doing it again… just maybe not for quite as long next time. Let’s be real, it can get a little lonely out there with only birds, bugs, the occasional pets, and my own thoughts for company.
Some past FHL weeks:
With that said, enjoy these snaps from my week away—the views, the little routines, and the moments that made Naro Moru feel like exactly the escape I didn’t know I needed.
