The Impracticalities Of Working From Anywhere
I bet that isn’t a title you expected to read on a blog where we mostly talk about how *possible* it is to work from anywhere, is it?
When it comes to the “live anywhere, work anywhere” lifestyle of a modern nomad, the usual images of tanned entrepreneurs tapping away at their laptops on the beach under a palm tree spring to mind.
The reality however is quite different.
Have you ever really tried working from a beach with your laptop? - where it’s so damn hot that the rivers of sweat pouring down your face make it impossible to see your screen, if that is, the sun weren’t causing such a glare that it’s practically invisible anyway.
Unfortunately, the not-so-glamorous truth of working from anywhere as a location independent professional is quite different…no cushy, comfortable home office space with ergonomically-designed desks and chairs for us, oh no, instead here’s where we get to work from…
The poolside
Looks nice but the laptop gets as hot as hell on your lap, you can’t see the screen from the glare even in the shade and in this tropical heat even our eyes steam up. But it’s okay because at least it looks cool and once we’ve stubbornly persisted for long enough until the sweat is pooling round our lounger, we can move inside to the comfort of…
A makeshift desk (formerly a dressing table)
Whilst at first glance this doesn’t look too uncomfortable, the ‘desk’ is only just high enough for our legs to fit under and the printer sits (precariously) on a luggage rack. No matter though, at least it’s a little more comfortable than…
A makeshift armchair (formerly a garden chair)
…which also doubles up as a washing line when it’s raining a tropical storm outside. But again, we can’t complain because at least it’s got back support unlike…
A makeshift sofa (formerly two top mattresses for a bed)
And whilst there’s no actual back nor arms to this sofa, it’s fine because the double padding protects our bottoms from the hard, tiled floor.
But if we’re really feeling the strain and fed up with working surrounded by drying underwear, pyjamas and virtually all the clothes we have with us…
…We can always head here to the haven of a comfy sofa, a creamy hot chocolate (which obviously helps with the tropical heat) and a table each - so we can at least pretend to work. Oh Starbucks how we love you.
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Comments
@mark - LOL!! You’re right…I only ever last about 5 minutes in that position before everything goes numb and I get a major neck and headache. You too, I guess!!
I just stumbled upon your website I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!! It is kismet that I found you because I was just expressing to someone how I would like to live my life “out there in the world” rather than the traditional live in a house in one place with the majority of your existence centered around said house.
THIS IS GREAT!!!!! 
I just have a question… Do you have a home base where live when you are not out in the world? Do you have all the furniture, appliances and trappings of “the usual” route of living? I ask because, though I already work for myself, the last vestige of attachment I have to a location is my “stuff”. Once that is stored, sold or given away the sky’s the limit.
And one other thing, how about banking and accessing your money? Did you find it necessary/prudent/expedient to have an international as well as domestic bank account?
Any advice?
Thank you!
Stephanie
What about working from a cyber-cafe or the hotel conference facilities? That seems like it might work out a bit better………
Hahaha…how I do feel sooooo soooory for you all. Not! Oh the tests of working on the go. You guys crack me up.
Oh nice! Though I think I win with the laptop on the lap sitting in on bed in the tent in the dark with a headlamp on to see the keyboard! How do you find it connecting thru the local ISPs or do you just choose an apartment/hotel with internet already setup?
Oh how I can’t even wait to be able to write a blog post from the comfort of a sandy beach.
@Mark: I’ve had to try that one at home, I can’t even imagine on the road. The side seems to work a bit better but then you still get a sore arm propping yourself up!
Ha ha, I love this post. I wouldn’t have ever considered the impracticalities of laptop working. Maybe a cheap massage will help those aching muscles. =)
There is also the sitting in the local bar, trying to steal the wifi signal from the starbucks next door. It’s a careful balancing act. Sipping beer, balancing laptop on your lap while perched on a bar stool… Oh how we suffer.
@Stephanie - Funny how the universe works sometimes isn’t it? 
In answer to your question, no we don’t currently have a home base where we live when we’re not doing this - this is it, full time! Most of our stuff is in storage in the UK (in a tiny little storage room which we downsized once, since we got rid of most of it systematically).
We currently have UK bank accounts - tried (and failed) to set one up in Panama which is where our business is currently incorporated but have literally (as of yesterday) set up what is going to function as an offshore account in HK - which was effortless to do (took 10m and got my bank card there & then) but largely because I have a HK ID card and am classed as a permanent resident. We generally just use our cash cards to get cash out wherever we are. We use paypal for business income plus have cheques sent to the in laws to pay in for us. Or we get clients to make direct bank transfers - so they have a range of options for whichever is easiest for them.
Cyber cafes in Asia are usually full of teen-boy gamers and *not* ideal for working in!! But in South Africa we did use internet cafes which were fine. Would love to use hotel conference/business facilities - but not sure they let vagabonds like us in, especially if we’re not staying at the hotel
This is so true. The first time you try to work from a beach with you laptop is usually the last. It just ain’t that comfortable or practical.
@Monika Mundell - I knew you’d be sympathetic to our cause…we really do have to rough it sometimes, you know LOL!!
@lissie - Errr yes, I think you might just have one on us there! We don’t usually connect thru local ISPs and have strict criteria for where we stay so our apartments always have high speed internet included. Don’t think we could really run the business if we didn’t have high speed internet where we stayed - altho the data limitations in SA made us get creative about that!!
@Cody Robert - “comfort of a sandy beach”…watch you don’t get sand in the laptop - oh yes, and watch out for the sun lotion too
@Anne-Marie - Good idea…if only I didn’t mind people faffing with my body (I know, I’m weird). Will have to get over that! Seriously considering a massage here in HK…working from our hotel desk is ok (great view of HK skyline) but not ergonomically “sound”!
@Christine Gilbert - LOL it is a tough life, isn’t it? Plus if you’re also trying to eat at the same time…don’t know how we manage.
@Rob Wood - it just looks so cool in photos doesn’t it though?!
Hi Lea,
imagine a “resort” on a nice island, with “special” workplaces at a nice pool with full wlan-connection and all the digital nomads could work from nearly any nice place in that “resort”.
This “resort” would be build or furnished in a special style and spread all over the world with the same high level. Like you see it at starbucks or mcdonalds or or or.
Would’nt this be a good place to stay?!
Hi Lea! Sorry, off topic, but would like to know more about the coach you hired — was the process worth it? What did/do you get out of it?
Hey they can all be done. I admit pool-side in Florida only works until about 11 am, then you have to either get in the pool or inside to cool off.
@Hartmut - if you tell me where this place is, we’ll be there in a heartbeat
@Rey - I’m currently writing a post on coaching/mentoring which will hopefully answer your questions. Do drop me an email however if you want to know more - projectwoodward@gmail.com is the best one in the first instance.
@Michael - oh to have waterproof laptops
Ya that whole working on the beach thing is a con! I tried it and never again. I tried a hammock too and that wreaks havoc with your neck as much as any of the other crazy positions you’re forced to work in. Coffee shops pimped out with wifi are a lifesaver as are hostels with good common rooms.
Great post!
As a fellow LIP, my back and I know these positions all too well. You forgot “laying on your stomach trying to work while getting sore” though