As a digital nomad, I can say that I live my life on the go and we ideally have to pack everything compactly in one suitcase. I can speak from my experience that if you are a digital nomad or a frequent traveler you must keep your essentials close at hand and organized. You certainly should not travel with too many suitcases.
I have enough traveling experience to compile a touring essentials list, so let’s dive into this basic essential guide
Why a “Week Pack”?
If you travel frequently you must have heard people telling you to just pack for a week. Being a digital nomad myself I have heard it so many times that I find it a bit annoying but at the same time, I can’t deny that this approach has been pretty useful. The idea behind this approach is to travel light and omit everything that isn’t necessary which helps you move around with ease and comfort.
The All in One Backpack
The first essential to have as a digital nomad is a compact backpack that will allow you to put all your work items in one place. Like most digital nomads I also work between places, on flights, on trains and buses, etc. Even if working on the go all the time is a bit challenging, being able to immediately access all your gadgets and stuff makes a significant difference.
A smart backpack is every digital nomad’s dream which makes remote work easier. With the right backpack, you will not have to worry about your items being lost or broken. My backpack allows me to travel without worrying about these issues and lets me enjoy both my work and exploring experiences.
Cable organizer
A cable organizer in my opinion is a must-have in a digital nomad’s backpack. I don’t like my cables all tangled up and lost in my bag, so I keep them in a separate smart tech pouch. I keep my chargers, adapters, USB cables, and other essentials in this pouch.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
For me, noise-canceling headphones are a lifesaver as I sometimes find it hard to focus amid all the sounds and noise around me. Thanks to these headphones, I can also communicate effectively during my work calls without getting distracted.
Adapter
If you don’t want your money to be wasted on an emergency purchase of an expensive, poor-quality adapter, get yourself a universal adapter before you start your journey. A good adapter proves useful when you are traveling from country to country.
Water bottle
Digital nomad or a plain traveler, a water bottle is a must in either case. I like to keep myself hydrated on my expeditions.
Ear plugs
If you are a light sleeper you should definitely get yourself some earplugs. It’s a must item in my packing list as I need my sweet sleep to function fully and be able to work on the go.
These are available in different materials, foam, wax, and silicon. I prefer silicon ones as they are easy to use and clean.
Tech Emergencies Essentials
The location-free lifestyle has its perks and cons. Where on one hand you get to explore the world and experience different cultures you need to be mindful about what you are carrying with you. I have already covered most of the travel essentials but below is the list of some items that you might want to pack in case of any tech emergencies.
Hard drive, backing up your data is a wise thing to do especially if you are a digital nomad. I always save all my data on an external hard drive in case my laptop gets damaged or stolen. Plus it doesn’t hurt to keep an extra copy of all your hours-long work. Yes I know I can also save it on Google Drive or other cloud storage options but I can only rely on a hard drive where the Wi-Fi isn’t very stable. In addition to a hard drive, you can also keep SD cards with you.
VPN, A virtual private network can save you from a lot of troubles. You can mask your location using a VPN and can access sites that are restricted in certain countries.
Blue Light Glasses, every day I spend hours working on my laptop so I keep a pair of blue light glasses with me. The laptop screen light exposure along with other potential dangers can cause severe headaches, and fatigue and can also affect eyesight. I suggest you get yourself a pair if you don’t already have one.
Powerbank, as a digital nomad I spent hours on flights, and sometimes my devices need charging while I am still on the flight. My power bank is what saves me from dead batteries and allows me to work conveniently. It can also prove useful on your day trips, where you might need to charge your phone.
Laptop Stand, a laptop stand might come in handy in different situations. I occasionally need a break after spending hours sitting on flights and at times I prefer working on my laptop while standing. My laptop stand allows me to work comfortably in this scenario.
Below are some items that you need on your travels even if you aren’t a digital nomad
Clothing
Clothes take up most space in the bag so make sure you pack only what you need. I like to keep plain T-shirts and one or two formal shirts considering that you never know when you might require one. I also only pack clothes that I am most comfortable in. Even though I suggest bringing fewer items, I also believe that packing an extra pair of socks and underwear is a wise thing to do.
Air tags
Well, I am mentioning air tags because I like to feel assured and this tiny gadget is ideal for making you feel secure. Air tags are basically tracking gadgets that ping a location on the cloud whenever an Apple device crosses its proximity.
Conclusion
Finally, packing smartly and wisely is the most important thing. Only pack things that you really need. Personally, I like to travel light. Although I have included the tour essentials, I would advise you to do your research before packing as every location and job have its own set of requirements. You should also keep in mind the weather conditions of the place you are traveling to while you do your packing.
That concludes the article, have a safe and happy trip!