On the road.

So this month I am taking With Many Roots on the road. Why? Because technically it needs only a laptop and a wifi connection to sustain it. And as its sole employee I would like to test that theory out. Properly.

Diving into the challenge of running your own affairs must allow some perks and I by no means think I am alone in wanting something a little different from the norm out of my career.

Google ‘Digital Nomad’ and you will find heaps of blogs, forums, articles in all mainstream press, a trending hashtag even a Digital Nomad Academy!

I didn’t know anyone personally who was doing the same thing but leapt on a great suggestion from the Exploring Alternatives blog;

So two months before d-day I started following these Facebook pages. It meant the news of new lives, new houses and new life commitments of my peers were regularly interspersed with travel inspiration, tips, honest accounts of daily life on the road and some fantastic photos. A healthy balance I would say.

• Exploring Alternatives – two Canadians who are living large with less
• One Step4Ward – a guy called Johnny who is trying to reach every country in the world, he’s currently on 166/193
• The Minimalists – Joshua & Ryan write essays about living a meaningful life with less stuff for more than 4 million readers. Great for helping you emotionally detach from your stuff
• The Man in Seat 61 – his website is great but only just discovered his daily transport quips, I love them
• The Professional Hobo – Nora Dunn writes on the road 

And of course my favourite source of inspiration these days

• Brene Brown – Vulnerability and Shame researcher and all-round inspiration. See earlier blog post.

These guys are a great springboard into the world of the unknown, making that gut fear you have about doing something that seems crazy to your friends (and often in your own head) feel a little bit more achievable.

I would recommend anyone else to do the same.

So here I sit in a London bedroom that is rapidly returning to the white box it once was 3 years ago with dwindling belongings, thinking about what life might be like in 2 weeks time.

I am not setting my expectations too high, this might only last 2 months. But I am planning for 7 and hoping for a year plus. A lot depends on bringing in the work.

My first stop is Slovenia, a small attic apartment in the Triglav national park, then Paris. A month in each.

Perhaps my work will be influenced by the countries I visit. But if nothing else I hope I will establish a more sustainable work/life balance and when I do switch off work mode I will have the option to explore the nature and the culture of my new local surroundings. I feel very privileged to have this opportunity. I am scared but the prospect of festering in London was scarier.

So, follow me on my journey if you like. The ups and the downs.

This shit just got real.