Work sucks. So you go on vacation. Someplace exotic with white sands, tropical drinks, and hot foreigners. You’re now lying on the beach enjoying the warm sun, when you get a call on your Blackberry. It’s about work.
Your client has an emergency. You can’t say no, and before you know it, your vacation turns into a “working vacation.”
Frak.
That’s the curse of the digital nomad.
Since we’re always connected and always working, we’ve trained ourselves to automatically sign in to the grid—even when we’re supposed to be taking a break. We’ve also trained our clients and coworkers to expect us to be on and available at all times.
It’s time to go-off-the-grid. Next time you go on vacation, here’s how:
1. No Email
Whatever you do, don’t check email. Sounds painful? Try this: before you leave, send emails to everyone you know telling them you won’t be checking email, and that you won’t be responding. Set-up an auto-responder in case people didn’t get the hint to not bother you. Finally, let someone you absolutely trust change your email password before you go on vacation. Now you’re locked out. Once you’re back from vacation, your trusted friend can grant you access again.
2. No iPhone/Crackberry
Ideally, you won’t use a mobile phone at all. But if you must use one, ditch your regular smartphone and buy a pre-paid phone at your new destination. You can find them for cheap, less than $20 at most mobile service centers. Use it only for coordinating vacation activities with others with you. It’ll have fewer features like e-mail and web. Since it’s cheap, it’ll have a crappier interface so you won’t be tempted to use it all time. Plus, no one back home will have the number, so you avoid those “emergency” work calls.
3. No Newspapers
Digital Nomads are information junkies. It’s hard, but it’s time to let go of current events and tech news while you’re on vacation. If you’re dying to know what’s up, ask a local person and start a conversation.
4. No TV
You paid all that money just to be in a hotel watching TV? Avoid TV compulsion by setting your DVR at home to tape your must-watch shows. They’ll be ready for you when you get back. Even better, pick accommodations with no TV. The more remote the location, the better.
5. No computer
Really? No computer? Yep. Since you won’t be working, reading email, or checking news, you won’t need it. Do all your vacation research and scheduling ahead of time. Instead of the internet, use your Lonely Planet guidebook for tourist information. If things don’t go as planned, it’s now an adventure. Talk to real people in real life to find what you need. Refreshing, isn’t it?
Okay fellow digital nomads, what other ways do you ensure an off-the-grid vacation? Please share in the comments.
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Nomad Contributors
by Erik Giberti / November 21, 2008
If you’re leaving the computer behind, make sure you bring extra media cards - or bigger ones. It sucks to decide which photos to keep and which to delete when you’re looking at a 2″ screen.