How Remote Work Changed My Life as an Expat in Dubai
From job struggles after Covid to building a new career online, this is my personal journey of resilience and freedom in Dubai.
When I landed in Dubai at the start of 2022, the world was still healing from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. For me, it was both a dream and a challenge. I had always heard about Dubai as the city of opportunities, where skyscrapers touch the sky and people come from all over the world to build their futures. But the reality was not easy.
Finding a job during that period felt almost impossible. Companies were recovering from financial losses, and competition was extremely high. I applied everywhere workshops, offices, marketing firms but rejection became a daily routine. There were times I questioned my decision to leave my hometown. I missed my family, my comfort zone, and most importantly, I missed having stability.
Discovering Remote Work
One day, while scrolling on my phone, I came across people talking about freelancing and remote jobs. At first, I thought it was only for IT professionals or people with advanced skills. But slowly, I realized that the digital world is wide, and there is a place for everyone willing to learn.
I started small. Since I already had experience in auto workshops and customer service, I began helping businesses with social media management and digital marketing. I learned how to create engaging content, run Facebook ads, and design promotional material. It wasn’t perfect in the beginning, but with every client I worked for, I improved.
Freedom and Flexibility
The best part of remote work was freedom. I was no longer tied to strict office hours or waiting for approvals from managers. I could work from my apartment, a coffee shop near Sheikh Zayed Road, or even while traveling. This flexibility gave me something priceless control over my own time.
I also noticed that remote work saved me from many hidden costs: transportation, eating out every day, and even the stress of long commutes. Instead, I invested that energy into learning new skills, building connections, and exploring Dubai’s vibrant life.
Challenges Along the Way
Of course, remote work is not a magical solution. It comes with its own challenges. Discipline is the biggest one. When nobody is watching over you, it’s easy to get distracted. I had to train myself to set daily goals and stick to them.
Another challenge was finding consistent clients. Some months were excellent, while others were slow. But I learned that this is part of the freelance lifestyle. The key is to diversify work with different clients, offer different services, and keep improving.
Lessons Learned
Looking back, I realize that Dubai didn’t just give me struggles; it gave me the strength to create opportunities for myself. Remote work taught me three valuable lessons:
1. Skills matter more than degrees. In today’s world, if you can solve a problem online, you can earn.
2. Flexibility is a blessing. The freedom to choose where and when you work is priceless.
3. Growth comes with patience. Remote work doesn’t give instant success, but over time it builds stability.
Conclusion
When I first came to Dubai, I was searching for a traditional job. What I found instead was a new lifestyle one where work and travel can exist together, and where opportunities are not limited to one office or one city.
Remote work has truly changed my life. I may not have a fancy office, but I have something better: the freedom to work anywhere, the chance to learn daily, and the ability to design a future on my own terms.
And that, for me, is the real Dubai dream.
✍️ Author’s Note
This is my personal story and experience of moving to Dubai and discovering remote work. I wrote it based on my real journey, but I used AI tools only to help me improve the structure and flow of my writing. Every event, feeling, and lesson shared here is 100% my own.
About the Creator
Izhar Ullah
I’m Izhar Ullah, a digital creator and storyteller based in Dubai. I share stories on culture, lifestyle, and experiences, blending creativity with strategy to inspire, connect, and build positive online communities.
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