One Suitcase, One Laptop, One Awesome Career

Today I parted with an entire closet-full of business casual clothes, a sizeable library of books collected over the years, a few pieces of original art painted during my “absolute beginner” period, a sewing machine, several stuffed animals, and DVDs I’ll probably never watch again.  If it sounds like I parted with nearly everything I own, you’re completely right. Around six weeks ago I made the decision to move to Hawai’i, using income earned through freelance writing to get me there. Since that time I’ve been moving at a breakneck speed towards obtaining that goal, and I’m happy to say I’ve quit my day job, donated nearly all of my belongings, and joined the growing population of laptop nomads around the world.

The Snail’s Approach to Conservative Living

I’ve condensed all of my personal possessions into a small carry on suitcase and a shoulder bag.  Now I can carry everything I need in two bags, and wherever I happen to lay my head at night is the place I’ll call home.  For all intents and purposes, I’m homeless and living out of two small bags, but I’m certainly not without an income or at a loss for exotic work locations. In less than six weeks I’ve gone to feeling stuck in a dead-end job to feeling as though the world is my oyster. Next week I’ll be in California, and the week after that in Hawai’i.

From there, who knows where I’ll end up, maybe New Zealand, perhaps Scotland.  Ireland and Greece have always topped my list of places to visit, so you know those two are rounding out the top ten.  The point is, I’m limited only by my imagination and the cost of airfare.  Proper planning makes airfare a non-issue, and in this line of work, imagination is my bread and butter.  To demonstrate the ease of this transition, allow me to share my very basic packing guidelines.

What’s in My Bag

• 3 t-shirts/tank tops - Versatility is key here.  Rather than packing several weeks worth of clothes, I’ve chosen garments which coordinate with one another for easy mixing and matching.  
• 3 long-sleeve shirts or sweaters - For chilly mornings and cool evenings layering is a great way to stay warm, which is why I’ve got a few options for long-sleeved shirts and lightweight pullovers.
• 1 pair jeans - Jeans are one of those garments that just goes with everything and never goes out of style, plus they’re just comfortable.  
• 1 pair slacks - I don’t plan on doing a lot of fancy dining while in Hawai’i, but I’m sure an occasion will present itself when I want to look slightly better than casual.  A versatile pair of slacks will help me look put together without requiring a lot of room in my carry-on.
• 1 bathing suit - Some folks suggest at least 2 or 3 bathing suits, and though I will be able to see the ocean every day, I sincerely doubt I’ll be making the four-mile trek on a daily basis.  One bathing suit is plenty.
• 7-10 socks - When it comes to socks, I don’t need many, so long as they’re clean and free of holes.  A week’s worth of socks is more than enough, but a few extra is nice in case of rain and mud puddles.
• 10 pairs of underwear - Similar to socks, enough for a week is plenty, but a few extra never hurt when laundry day rolls around.  Plus it’s nice to have some spares when the weather is humid and sticky.  I’m sure you can catch my drift without the need for graphic depictions!

Use a Shoehorn if Needed

To conserve space, I bagged up my small toiletries and stuffed them down into my shoes.  I did this same process with any little nook and cranny I could find in my bag, filling every centimeter of space before I asked my cat to sit on the lid to make zipping the bag a little easier. Somehow I managed to condense my most important possessions into two small bags, and I have to say the pride I felt afterwards was very similar to the day that I passed my Cisco CCNA courses with flying colors.

Freelance writer Rachel Cook recently started listening to her creative urges, finding the inspiration to quit her corporate job in the education sector as a result.  Feeling stifled in her home office, she has donated many of her possessions in exchange for a carry-on and a laptop.  An avid supporter of all things related to self-improvement and personal development, Rachel can usually be found browsing the information available at http://www.ecourseclassroom.com/ when she’s not studying the subtle differences between Kona coffee beans grown at different volcanic elevations.