When COVID hit, our whole world shifted. We had just become parents to our first daughter. Our businesses were in flux. And we made the bold decision to leave California and move to Italy with one suitcase, a 9-month-old, and no clear plan. We had to rebuild our lives closer to family.

Starting over in a new country, while parenting and working remotely, was disorienting. It was a full reset, and everything felt uncertain. Training my mindset became essential when everything else changed. 

Remote work gave us the flexibility to make that leap. But navigating that level of upheaval was mentally draining, and I realized I needed more than structure. I needed inner steadiness. That’s when I turned to mental fitness as a consistent daily practice. 

Mental fitness helps you respond, recover, and refocus when the day doesn’t go as planned. 

Like physical training sharpens endurance, practicing mental fitness strengthens clarity, energy, and resilience through change, rewiring your brain. Each repetition lays down neural pathways that make calm, clarity, and self-trust more accessible—even in the messiest moments.

How I strengthen my remote mindset

Before the day starts, I carve out a moment of stillness to create clarity and begin with a positive perspective. Throughout the day, I rely on repeatable practices that help me reset when things feel off.

I embrace micro-practices. I notice without judgment. I maintain connection rituals. I celebrate adaptability.

My top three practices:

• Tuning into the sensation of touch—like fingertips on a mug or the texture of fabric

• Taking three slow breaths between tasks to clear mental clutter and reset focus

• Naming whatever emotion is present, without labeling it as good or bad

The beauty of mental fitness is that it compounds over time. Each small practice builds neural pathways that make resilience your default. 

Why it matters for remote work

A strong remote mindset is built, not found. Mental fitness helps me stay focused, recharge faster, and reconnect with what matters—especially when routines break or life gets loud.

Remote work offers space, but leading yourself through it takes intention. These small practices create a steadier path forward, one day at a time. 

What mental fitness practice could you start today? Your future self will thank you.

RESOURCES

Friends of Thrive

• Healthcare and financial stability shouldn't vanish when you ditch the cubicle. The Association for Entrepreneurship delivers what remote workers need most: affordable health plans, retirement options, and financial tools designed for location-independent professionals. Stop cobbling together your own benefits patchwork. Join thousands already protecting their remote lifestyle where traditional employers can't follow. Access Remote Worker Benefits →

• Leverage Remote Rebellion to step forward in your remote working career.
  First: Read the their article: The "Pre-Apply" Audit: Your 10-step Remote Job Application Checklist for 2025
  Second: Attend their virtual Remote Job Fair & Expo, May 9&10 2025

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