••• The International Writers Magazine - 23 Years on-line - Creative Lifestyles

Designing Your Van’s Home Office • Indiana Lee Creative Lifestyles on the move

Remote work has been on the rise for years, but never more so than throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, many Americans have combined their remote work efforts with van living. After all, part of van life includes working while on the road – gas is expensive!

While the beauty of remote work is that you can do it from anywhere – including a cafe during a pit stop or the back seat of your van or RV — it can be helpful to set up a designated office space for your work. Doing so will help with your productivity, boost your wellness, and create a healthier work-life balance.

However, you might be scratching your head wondering how you can maximize space and make the most of a van office while still having enough room for the rest of your belongings.

Thankfully, designing your van’s home office is easier than you might think as long as you have a few necessities in place, and you’re willing to get creative. Let’s cover a few tips that can help you create the ideal office while you’re on the road.

Make Your Van Meet Your Needs

If you know you’re going to be living and working out of your van for a long time, it’s a worthwhile investment to get some customizations done. That might include buying a brand new vehicle that you’re comfortable with and provides you and your fellow passengers with enough space.

If you already have a van, there are upgrades you can have added for you that will make life easier and more comfortable, especially while you’re working. Some of those upgrades include:

1. Fan installations
2. Insulation
3. Window replacements
4. Heater installation
5. Exterior accessories

The most important thing is to have an office space that is “different” from the rest of your van. Setting a designated space will make you more focused while you’re working. It can boost your productivity and make it easier to establish a work-life balance.

You’ll also have an easier time getting into a healthy daily routine, including waking up at the same time each day, working for several hours, enjoying your free time, and establishing a bedtime routine. Having a nighttime routine in place will help you get the sleep you need and maintain your energy throughout your workday.

Get Creative With Your Furniture

Even if you have a big van, space can be an issue when you’re using it for work and play alike. It’s important to make the most of your space so you’re not feeling cramped or cluttered while you’re trying to work, or when you’re trying to relax.

One of the easiest ways to avoid things feeling so “tight” is to declutter as often as possible. Seta dedicated space for everything, purge things you don’t need, and utilize wall space for shelves and hangers. Too much clutter can cause stress and worry, and make it harder to feel productive while you’re working.

No matter how clean your space is, there are still some “swaps” and changes you might need to make so you’re comfortable while you’re working or riding.

Consider, for example, turning your existing couch into a remote workstation. Use pillows to support your back and make it more ergonomic, and you won’t have to struggle with a sore back or strained muscles every day. Using what you already have in your van keeps you from having to buy an office chair that only serves one purpose and can take up a lot of space.

Make Sure You Have the Right Digital Essentials

In addition to setting up your office space with the right furniture and essential tools, it’s also crucial to ensure you have the right digital tools at your fingertips, too. One of the potential challenges of working on the road is that not every part of the country has reliable Internet service.

You might not always be able to go into a coffee shop to work when you’re in the middle of nowhere or spending the night at a campground.

Your digital essentials for working and living on the road should include:

1. Reliable Wi-Fi
2. A reliable power source
3. A laptop
4. Cloud storage

It’s also a good idea to have backup chargers and batteries in case something doesn’t work the way it should. The last thing you want is to lose a day of work or miss out on an important deadline because your devices are on the fritz. If you’re worried about space for things like wireless routers and a laptop, plan ahead and dedicate a specific storage area to all things digital. Chances are, you’ll use your laptop and tablet for things besides work, so make sure they’re easily accessible, but stowed away properly when not in use.

There are so many benefits to working remotely, and even more so while traveling and seeing the country. You can make the experience even better by setting up a home office in the comfort of your van. With a few adjustments, it’s easy to do, and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthy work-life balance no matter where your home on wheels takes you.

  © Indiana Lee 5.26.22
indianaleewrites.contently.com

How Technology Has Changed the Writing World
Indiana Lee
Writing has always been technological. From papyrus paper to printing presses, writers have used the latest technology for thousands of years to record stories, poems, memoirs, and musings.

Developing Self-Growth That Revolves Around Creativity
Indiana Lee 5.2.22
Creativity is subjective, and so is personal growth. The relationship between these two things is more apparent than most people realize.

Helping Writers Find Solace in Sobriety
Indiana Lee 6.7.22
As a writer, you’ve probably heard the maxim commonly associated with Hemingway “Write drunk, edit sober”. In fact, this kind of thinking may have led you to think that drinking alcohol will, in some way, improve your creative practice.

More lifestyles & comment

Share |