My profession is unusual: I restore antique and damaged books. Back home in Europe, this meant working in dim workshops, surrounded by fragile paper and strict humidity controls. The work was precise and meaningful, but the lifestyle felt heavy and isolating.
When digital archives started outsourcing restoration assessment and documentation, I realized my work could be done remotely—at least partially. That opened a door I hadn’t considered before.
I chose Thailand for its calm pace of life and affordability. Using https://thailand-real.estate/, I found a quiet apartment in Chiang Mai with enough space to set up a small restoration desk and proper storage conditions.
Now, I evaluate manuscripts for libraries, advise on preservation methods, and only travel when hands-on work is truly necessary. Outside of work, I walk, read, and live much more lightly than before.
Moving to Thailand didn’t change my profession—it changed how gently I get to live with it.
