Working from a New Home
When we first arrived in Muscat, I gave myself a week off — a rare luxury — to unpack, get my bearings, and find my feet in this new chapter of life abroad. But once the boxes were cleared and the cats had settled, it was straight back to work. As a digital marketer and SEO content writer, my job travels with me wherever I go. That’s one of the best parts of working remotely — but it also means creating a space that actually works. After a few weeks of trial and error (and more desk rearranging than I’d like to admit), I finally found my rhythm — and my perfect workspace in the desert.
Finding My Space
At first, I didn’t have an office of my own. I borrowed my husband’s desk in the sitting room, using it while he was out at his company office. It worked—technically—but sharing a desk isn’t ideal when you’re juggling client meetings, deadlines, and SEO reports. I’ve always preferred having a dedicated workspace with two screens, a proper keyboard, and my trusty mouse. Working solely from a laptop just doesn’t cut it for long writing or analytics sessions.
So I moved into the Majlis room, which had the best natural light in the house and a peaceful view of the desert beyond the garden wall. To make it work, we swapped around the furniture, moving the dining table and office setup until it felt right. Now, this bright, calm space has become my little creative haven.
Building a Setup That Works
I brought my electric height-adjustable desk and walking pad from the UK — easily the best decision I made. It means I can alternate between sitting, standing, and walking throughout the day, keeping the energy flowing! I bought a second monitor locally in Muscat, along with a Wi-Fi extender and Ethernet cables to keep the connection stable during online meetings with UK clients. Oman’s internet can be patchy depending on where you live, so getting that right was essential.
There were a few tech hurdles to overcome: apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime don’t work here, which makes quick client catch-ups tricky. But after some experimenting, I found that Google Meet, Slack, and Microsoft Teams work perfectly. My employer was really supportive and helped me find a system that made sense for both sides of the time zone.
Making It Feel Like Home
Once the practical setup was sorted, I wanted the space to feel warm and personal. There’s a small sofa tucked behind my desk for when I need a break or a change of scene during calls. I added a few prints and travel posters from places we’ve lived, Portugal, the UK, and now Oman, so the room feels like a patchwork of memories rather than just a workspace. And of course, I have company most days. Dory the cat loves to join my online meetings, often appearing in the background mid-Zoom, while Flash prefers to nap on the sofa.
My Working Routine
I’ve gradually adapted my routine to match the rhythm of life here. I tend to start early in the morning, often by 7 a.m., when the light is soft and the house is quiet. By 1 or 2 p.m., I usually finish for the day just in time to head to the pool, gym, or out for dinner later on at sunset. The natural light streaming through my office window is my favourite part of working here. There’s something grounding about looking up from my screen to see the desert, cars and the rest of Muscat stretching out in the distance.
Art from our past homes and holidays ready to hang in my workspace in Oman.
My Own Space
Working abroad has been full of small challenges like getting reliable Wi-Fi, adjusting to blocked apps, and re-learning what “office hours” mean in a different culture. But those same challenges have inspired me to create a workspace that supports how I want to work. I much prefer having a separate office that I can close the door on, as it really helps create a separation between work life and home life.
It’s proof that remote work really can follow you anywhere — with the right tools, flexibility, and a bit of creative problem-solving.
If you’re setting up your own home office overseas, my advice is simple:
Prioritise comfort and light. You’ll spend hours in the space — make it somewhere you actually want to be.
Invest in good tech early. Reliable Wi-Fi, the right cables, and a second screen are game-changers.
Make it yours. Add things that remind you of home — a print, a plant, or a sleepy cat on the sofa.
Because wherever you’re working in the world, your workspace shouldn’t feel temporary or it’s so much harder to settle into a productive routine.
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