Finding Community in Unexpected Places: From Pilates in Canggu to Remote Work Connections

Last week, I joined a Pilates class at Pilates Project in Canggu. What struck me most wasn’t the workout itself — it was the way the instructor kept addressing us as “Team.”

“Keep going, Team!”

“Well done, Team!”

It was such a small detail, but it left a big impression. That one word transformed a room of strangers into something collective. Suddenly, I wasn’t just doing Pilates on my own — I was moving with a team.

And that feeling of belonging, even for just one hour, reminded me of something I often forget as a digital nomad and introvert: community matters more than we realize.

Why “Team” Meant So Much

I should probably explain that I’m a very introverted and individualistic person. I have only a handful of close friends, and even with my family — who live across the world — I sometimes find it hard to stay in regular contact.

I genuinely love alone time. I enjoy wandering new places on my own, spending hours reading or working quietly, and creating routines that don’t depend on anyone else.

But here’s the paradox: life as a digital nomad can be lonely. You may thrive on independence and freedom, but eventually, solitude can feel isolating. That’s why being called “Team” in that Pilates class touched me so deeply. For just an hour, I wasn’t only me — I was part of a group moving, breathing, and struggling through planks side by side.

The Transient Side of Nomad Life

Living in Bali — and in other places that attract digital nomads — also means living in a very transitional community. People come and go constantly, staying for a season before moving on to the next adventure. It’s exciting because you meet people from all over the world, but it’s also bittersweet. Over the years, many of my closest friends have left.

For this very reason, finding community becomes even more important. When people are always coming and going, the small connections — the ones that make you feel like part of a team, even for a moment — become even more meaningful.

Community in Unexpected Places

That Pilates class reminded me that community doesn’t have to look traditional. It can be small, fleeting, and sometimes virtual.

I’ve found one of my strongest communities in an unexpected place: my remote job. I work for a law firm where none of us have ever met in person, yet I feel a real team spirit with my colleagues, who are spread across the globe. We don’t just talk about deadlines and cases — we check in on each other’s lives, share when someone feels overwhelmed, and celebrate little wins together.

Even though our connection exists only through screens, the atmosphere is supportive and real. It’s a reminder that community isn’t about proximity; it’s about presence. Even for remote workers, that sense of belonging is crucial.

Final Thoughts

That Pilates class was a gentle reminder: you don’t have to do life alone, even if you love solitude. Sometimes all it takes is one word — Team — to make you feel connected.

As digital nomads, expats, or remote workers, we have to be intentional about finding our “teams.” They might not look traditional, and they might not last forever, but they’re powerful in helping us thrive.

So, whether it’s in a Pilates studio in Bali, a supportive Slack channel with colleagues around the world, or even a fleeting friendship with someone who soon moves on — seek out your team. Because even the most introverted among us need connection.

What about you? Where do you find your “team” while living abroad, working remotely, or building a life on your own terms?