Digital Nomads Are Not ‘Living Out Of A Backpack’

Inevitably, when someone asks how long I’ve been traveling, they look at my backpack.

“Wow, so many years living out of that backpack! How do you do it?”

I didn’t think much of this question, until I realized that the assumption (and my own belief) that I am living out of a backpack is entirely wrong.

A Backpack Is Just Where We Keep Our Toothpaste And Underwear

Would I lose my ‘life’ if I lost my backpack?

No. I would lose almost nothing…

• My knowledge and skills are not in my backpack.

• Exercise routines, cold showers, and habits aren’t inside my backpack.

• My memories and journal and blog are not in my backpack.

• My business is spread across warehouses, servers and bank accounts.

• My stocks and Bitcoin aren’t in my backpack.

• The Internet is, clearly, not in my backpack.

• My family, friends, mentors, network… they wouldn’t fit!

• The food I eat (the coffee I drink) rarely enters my backpack. Unless I’m tent camping, my shelter isn’t in there.

• I listen to music, but I don’t carry a guitar.

What Is In My Backpack?

Tools for access and replaceable necessities. That’s it.

My laptop and phone are in my backpack, but the Internet, my language learning materials, and the tools to control my business are not. (All I need are my passwords.)

My passport is in my backpack, but my citizenship isn’t.

The clothes in my backpack are easily replaceable. (Though, I admit, I could use some help choosing the style.)

Nobody is really living out of their backpack today. It just might appear that way.