Get ready to go remote

So as it stands, we’re now in a third lockdown, here in the UK. Non-essential shops and businesses have been told to close and we’re not allowed to travel outside of a five mile radius of our homes.

However, this is not going to prevent me from getting ready to go fully remote and travel when borders do eventually open up again and we can get back out on the road. It’s been a tough a year for the world, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t stop, reflect and spend a little extra time than normal getting ourselves ready for the life we really want for ourselves after all. So here goes, to go remote it was important to:

HAVE A CLEAR OUT

For the last couple of years, I’ve been living back in Surrey with Mumma T and we’ve been slowly selling, clearing and recycling things we no longer want. From old books, clothes and tech to old photos, toys and furniture. We’ve gradually chipped away at the many things we’ve taken along the way over the years. It has definitely been a cleanse, that’s for sure. From diplomas I no longer need to show physical evidence of to GCSE Textiles work, it was surreal and reenergising to let these things go.

Reducing the amount of ‘stuff’ I have has felt like such a release and has removed so much headspace somehow. For me - but please don’t feel like you need to go to this length - I want to feel like I’ve only got things that will move me forward and belong in my future. So I’d say that I’m at the point where I could almost fit absolutely everything I own in my car - maybe two with the paddle board.

Luckily I have a place I can store my things, but the idea is that you are not thinking about these things while you are away. You’ll have enough to think about.

STREAMLINING, FULL STOP

So we’ve streamlined the physical belongings. Now it’s time to streamline the rest of your life. Originally I read about this idea from the book “Chillpreneur”. The general idea is that you take a look at what actually works for you in your life right now, from habits to work and relationships. From whether they need doing now or in six months. Whether you’re actively avoiding something and need to do it, to considering delegating to someone else - which is what I did for a CV I needed to write (as an example).

It’s simply another way that ideas are put into action or not. Work streams are evaluated and habits are tweaked. Removing or improving little things that will feel less like a burden on the road. A key to success in remote working is essentially “condensing”. Condensing the amount of gear in my bag (which we talked about in our “remote lifestyle must haves” blog), condensing the amount of things that are going on in our head, condensing our systems for work, admin, everything! The era of ‘the hustle’ is over and it’s now about simply living ‘smarter’.

There’s no shame in not putting that burrito business idea into action because it’s actually not something you want to carry through for years to come. Or donating those items that you bought with your first full time pay check. Or cutting down a revenue stream because the input versus the output is actually not worth it in the long term. We aren’t meant to carry everything through life.

GET READY

So I know we just talked about streamlining, but you are human and you have needs. Whether it’s clothing, toiletries or your tech for work. While you’re streamlining, I would have this step in mind. Do you have sturdy luggage to carry you around the world? Do you have packing cubes? Or a handheld scale? And will you be ready for things like tropical rain or jungle climates (hey hey Brazil)?

There will be certain essentials to either keep to one side or start investing in. Me, I went through my travel things first from the last decade or so and then I scrolled through Pinterest to find other helpful bits. Things I never particularly thought about before, but would actually (again) just make life a little easier on the road. Things as simple as casing for my tech and jewellery, fibre towels and buying any new books on the Kindle app.

Going fully remote will be a longer term journey. So rather than panic last minute and fly about throwing random things into my suitcase two days before the journey (and also end up with a large bag of things from duty free on the day), it makes sense to start adding things in now.

This longer term approach has meant that i’m thinking about things like the packing cubes, the extra casing and even things like a travel soap box. Rather than panic buying things that might not make it back through customs in duty free on the outward trip. No need to worry about waste or not having some of the necessities eventually. The key here really is about thinking long term and sustainably. Ensuring that the products I do use are “smart” and made to last but also don’t harm the environment.

NEXT?

Get work up, plan where to go and go for it! If travel experts have it right, we’ll be able to travel in the UK first and then by May we’ll be able to make it to at least mainland Europe.

Currently my plan is to head to Portugal in May and then eventually either Bali or Brazil. But it entirely depends on the COVID situation as a whole, of course. So we’ll see.

If you’d like the full remote worker checklist, you can grab your copy here.

Until the next step of the journey,

Han x