The Best Gadgets and Tools for Digital Nomads
The most extreme example of lifestyle design is undoubtedly becoming a digital nomad. A digital nomad is someone who works on the move while travelling the world.
Digital because they earn a living using nothing but a laptop and a WiFi connection, nomad because they travel from country to country and never stay long enough to call anywhere home.
There are countless benefits to this kind of lifestyle.
Not only do you get to see the world and have incredible experiences, you also get to enjoy complete freedom with nothing tying you down to any one place.
But of course working constantly on the move can be a challenge sometimes.
Things like batteries running out, translation problems and lack of space in a backpack can all be an issue.
Read on then and we’ll look at some of the best things to pack that will make life that little bit easier…
Microfiber Towel
A microfiber towel is a full-sized towel made of a unique material.
This thin material can be folded into a small ball that’s compact enough to fit in a pocket and it dries in minutes.
That means you can stuff it into a backpack with your other items and not have to worry about it getting things wet or taking up space.
Otherwise though, it works just like any other towel!
Microsoft Folding Keyboard
There are many good keyboards out there but the Microsoft Folding Keyboard has a ton of advantages for anyone who travels a lot.
This keyboard folds in half and is slim enough to fit in a pocket. It has a battery that lasts for ages, can sync to two separate devices and is even water resistant against splashes.
All this makes it perfect for bringing on a trip and then using with your smartphone when your laptop battery runs out.
Portable Charging Block
One crucial item for anyone travelling while working is a portable charging block.
This is a small device that you can charge up and then use to restore power to a range of other devices.
That way you can stop your phone or even a small tablet computer from dying while you’re on the move!
Surface 3
Not the Surface Pro 3, but just the plain old Surface 3. This is an ideal choice of laptop/tablet that is incredibly thin and light and has great battery life.
At the same time though, it is also able to run legacy Windows software, so you get all your usual Microsoft Office apps and even things like Photoshop will run.
Notepad and Pen
The notepad and pen is sorely overlooked when it comes to lists like this. But it can save your neck in more than one situation!
Not only does a notepad and pen give you a ‘second screen’ essentially for taking notes etc. while working but it also gives you something you can play games with, draw with and even communicate with.
Struggling to order chicken in a restaurant? Get out your pen and paper and draw a chicken!
How to Use Lifestyle Design Without Upending Your Life
When you hear the words ‘lifestyle design’, you will probably find yourself thinking of digital nomads.
These are people who take their laptop under one arm and go travelling around the world to spend time in other countries.
They work on the go and this gives them the freedom and flexibility to see amazing sights, meet new people and generally live a completely untethered life.
But there are downsides to this kind of lifestyle.
Apart from anything else, it means that you don’t have a home and you don’t have the option to go back and enjoy a nice hot drink and your favorite TV show.
If you have a family, then working online really isn’t an option.
So what do you do instead? Here’s how you can use lifestyle design in other ways to increase your freedom without sacrificing security or comfort.
The Halfway House
If you work online, then you can work from anywhere and you can work when you want to.
This means you don’t have to be tied to anyone place but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to travel the world!
Think instead about all the places near you that you might like to visit. I personally live in London.
Most days I just work in the coffee shops local to me and I love hearing people chat around me and go about their business while I drink in a warm and creamy Americano.
But then some days I’ll go and visit the rest of London. Sometimes I work at the amazing Madison’s roof bar where I have an amazing view of St Pauls.
Sometimes I work on Southbank and watch all the commotion along the Thames.
Other times I work in the British Library which has amazing facilities and a very studious feel.
And if I’m tired? Then I just work from home and enjoy the ability to work in my pyjamas.
Flexibilty and Freedom
From time to time though, I do make better use of the freedom my work affords me.
Sometimes for example, I go and visit Europe using my pilot friend’s staff travel and I can stay there for a long weekend while working. If my wife is away, why not?
Other times I’ll travel to other parts of town where friends work and meet them for lunch or a beer.
I work out every morning from 9-10am because I don’t have a commute and can finish at 6pm.
I have zero problem getting haircuts or visiting the bank either because I can book appointments in work hours.
I can eat big meals at home, or just pop into a shop to grab lunch to enjoy with a view.
In short, you don’t need to be travelling the world to live a freer lifestyle. In fact, most of us would probably choose to stay where we are.
But simply not having to commute to a busy office 5 days a week is more than enough reason to give lifestyle design a try.
