December 2025 update – Two years later, still a nomad! Still “Life in Storage”! Can’t imagine settling down again.
A full three and a half years into this digital nomad life.
Many of my “Reflections of a Nomad” still hold true. https://secondchapternomad.blog/2023/01/12/reflections-of-a-nomad/ I have more Nomad Nuggets to add after even more experiences.
July 22, 2023 Summer in the City continues at the moment in Brooklyn, New York.
1. Letting Go
This has been a tough one, but I’m getting much better at it. That, and having faith that things will work out. New York in particular has proved to be a challenge with accommodations. I had hoped to have one place for eight glorious weeks. Cut to my fifth pad in as many weeks! (Plus a quick return to LA for my mom’s surgery). This makes my organized packing all the more important.
2. Packing/Living out of Suitcases
The worst is packing for an airplane. When it’s just bouncing around, it’s much easier. Reusable shopping bags are my best friend. One for laundry. One for vitamins, collagen, coffee, hot sauce etc. Just bought a few inexpensive organizers for my treasures and toiletries at Marshall’s. It saves time and is comforting to know where everything is, no matter the living situation.marshalls.com
My parents bought me a beautiful small Samsonite suitcase that is now my rolling office. I keep all books, files, office supplies, microphone, chargers, adaptors, etc. in there wherever I go. It saves time and is comforting to know where everything is, no matter the living situation. samsonite.com
The Suitcase Shuffle – Besides my storage unit, I leave suitcases all over the world. The amount to pay to lug them about plus the sheer nuisance of my collection causes me to ask friends for favors. I have left one in Dublin, Scotland, all over London, in a friend’s attic in New York. Then there’s the retrieval often involving Ubers, taxis, underground. These beasts have seen the world, moved about like chess pieces. Currently my winter gear sits in Surrey, England with my writing partner.
Broken Bags – Related topic of how many of my suitcases have taken a beating. Broken zippers and wheels being top issues. I drag them about for as long as possible, but then I ditch the poor reject and get another, usually a cheapie from Ross (thus why they don’t last).
3. Laundry
Being somewhere with laundry facilities is a luxury. To think I lived twenty years in a home with a state of the art washer and dryer, and I complained about the daily chore of endless laundry!Now I collect quarters like a child collects Pokemon. Store Tide and Bounce as important as any possession. My new splurge is either drop off wash and fold services (using one in Brooklyn as we speak – $15 for the whole shebang!). When time is of the essence, the convenience of services such as LaundryHeap (link) that not only wash and fold, but pick up and drop off, are fantastic. http://laundryheap.com
4. Travel Apps
Strava is fun to track walks/bike journeys (this is how I followed my son on his four month cycle trip through West Africa) http://strava.com, TripIt imports all of the reservations for tickets, flights, hotels, etc into one spot tripit.com. I’ve loved Polar Steps for years. http://polarsteps.com It tracks individual trips including photos you import. I love it for its global map feature. It even shows exactly where a flight has flown. I’m obsessed with my steps on the Apple health app. (link)
5. Mental Health
Journaling is one of my favorites for my sanity. Lists and calendars are imperative for me. Once it’s on the page, it’s out of my head. I always have a “self help” book in my collection. Three of my favorites are: The Four Agreements, Super Better, and How to Do the Work . For actual therapy on the go, I tried Better Health which is very convenient when traveling. betterhelp.com
6. Leisure Activities – Books and Music
My books are a source of comfort and grounding. Besides a self help one, I always have an Audible, a Kindle one, and a hard copy. I adore visiting a book store, inhaling the aroma of real books, and choosing one worthy of carrying about on my travels. I keep track religiously on Good Reads goodreads.com.
I’ve added a portable speaker to my luggage to enjoy my beloved playlists. Music is the soundtrack to my life.
7. Coffee and Tea – And Me!
Love my morning coffee. Coffee’s a given when I have a kitchen of course. When there’s the good stuff in the hotel room, that’s stellar. Lobby coffee, then diner coffee all are runner ups. Iced Tea. I’ve always loved it. I don’t drink sodas or juices. Unsweetened, iced cold, iced tea. My lunch time staple. In the UK and most of Europe, impossible to find, and downright sacrilegious to request. I’ve tried everything from begging for a glass of ice to pour hot tea on (almost always declined) to giving specific instructions to a bartender. A no go. In New York, it’s hot this summer in the city, and I’m delighted that my iced tea flows like water. New discovery: Dunkin’ Donuts does a great, inexpensive one!
8. Self Care
I try to get my hair done back “home” with my trusted hairdresser. I’ll splurge on a blow out once in a while as hair suffers on the move. Dry Bar always consistent. I’ve also invested in good hair products like Olaplex http://olaplex.com. Using cheap hotel shampoos are so damaging over time. I try to get my nails done. I look at reviews and hope for the best.
A very rare splurge is a massage or facial. Last week in New York I got reeled in by the “Happy Back Rub” sign. I was a little concerned about the strong pressure and cleanliness of facilities, but I sort of enjoyed it. Not the swindling out of a $20 tip!
9. Hotel Room Numbers and Addresses
“What’s your room number?” How in the world I keep track, I don’t know! Remembering what floor I’m on in any given hotel. Uber must be confused with endless locations. Maps: “90 minutes to home”… where is home??
10. Jewelry
Since I can only cart about limited possessions, inexpensive jewelry has become special to me. Africa, Mexico, Panama, Jamaica, I’d wear bracelets and anklets until they fell off. Without my beloved wedding ring, I’ve taken to five special rings: Spoon ring from Scotland, a little heart from Solvang, a specially designed “divorce ring” in Mexico, another independent woman ring from my home town, and a Claddagh ring from Galway, Ireland. I got matching string bracelets for my daughter and me in Lithuania. I did a reel on my Instagram page on the “Story of a Necklace”, the triskelion symbol from Ireland mixed with a “Love” pendant from my mom. A gorgeous Lorimar (blue stone) bracelet from my friend/business partner in the Dominican Republic. These all have a story and bring me closer to loved ones and special memories.
11. Gyms/Fitness
Hotels with a gym are a huge plus. Otherwise I join inexpensive gyms with numerous locations such as Planet Fitness and Golds. Pools are another luxury. I often seek them out in my accommodations if possible. I use them as an extension of my hotel room, as an office, a place to make phone calls, and relax. Hot tubs, game rooms (pool!) are a rare treat.
Two places I go specifically because of their sauna/relaxation pools are the Sheraton Edinburgh (I joined their spa/gym One Spa for two months there; the nicest one I’ve ever seen!) https://www.onespa.com/ and Radisson Blu Heathrow (see my story below). http://www.thespaandgym-heathrow.com/
The Boxer, Blokes, and Border Patrol: Notes from an airport hotel spa. My bridge between UK and US life. Come for serenity and peace, and to read my book. First, went to the gym where I love that I can get sweaty boxing gloves and bust out my old moves. However a Real Boxer beat me to the bag, but I prevailed when he finished and I attempted my punches and kicks in front of him. I don’t care anymore about looking silly.
Then went to my sanctuary of the spa. What are the odds that the same young blokes that were so outrageous last time that Teacher/Mama Kim came out and reprimanded them. Immediate recognition. Awkward sharing of the hot tub. Could only laugh about it.
The final fellow, also in the hot tub, turned out to be Border Control in the UK and I got all the scoop! Priceless info.
Did not get to read my book I must say.
Reflections of a Nomad (currently in London)(Opens in a new browser tab)
About Me(Opens in a new browser tab)
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