Why Would a Grandmother Adopt the Laptop Lifestyle? Here Are 4 Terrific Reasons

Culzean Castle, Scotland

Doesn't being a grandmother make you a bit old to adopt the laptop lifestyle? Probably. Nevertheless, that's what I did. Just before my 60th birthday, when lots of my friends were pondering retirement,  I started a new career. I got my laptop, went to the Upwork app, completed my profile, and officially began a career as a freelance content marketer/copywriter. I didn't realize it then, but I also took my first step toward adopting the laptop lifestyle, which simply means that my main tools for running my freelance copywriting business are my laptop and a reliable internet signal.

As a married real estate agent and Airbnb host with 4 grown children, I already had irons in several other fires and a family--including 7 young grandchildren--spread from Wyoming to Scotland. My life was busy.  However, for several years I had pondered trying my hand at freelance copywriting. I figured I better not wait much longer to start.

The grandchildren played a role in my decision-making, too. They all lived at least 400 miles away. Since traveling long distances with young children is tedious and expensive, my husband and I figured that--if we wanted to really know our grandchildren--we were the obvious ones to do the lion's share of the traveling. But, even for 2, traveling isn't cheap. I figured that any income from freelance copywriting would help feed the travel fund. Freelance writing, the laptop lifestyle, travelling, and playing with the grandchildren--it all seemed to fit. 

​After a few early miscues, most of them related to technology, I found my footing as a creator of freelance content and copy. Now, about 3 years later, this grandmother is really glad she jumped into freelance writing and adopted the laptop lifestyle. Here are 4 terrific reasons why. 

The laptop lifestyle means the office can be anywhere.

The laptop lifestyle makes work portable

"Have laptop, will travel--and work when I need to." That's not my official mantra, but it fits my lifestyle sometimes. For example, in the last 3 months my husband and I have:

• Traveled through 3 of the 4 continental U.S. time zones, and hopped over 5 more when we crossed the pond to Scotland. 
• Made memories and took pictures with all of the grandchildren (There are 13 now.) and their parents. 
• Shared 3 lovely days in Kentucky with my parents, so we could visit the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum.

During that time period, I averaged higher-than-normal earnings. Yes, I was busy, but the portability of the laptop lifestyle was the catalyst that made all of that possible.

Mobile hotspots, lap desks and my trusty laptop are now the tools of my trade. Their portability is what makes everything click. A few times I did need to turn down opportunities to pursue new clients. I just didn't have bandwidth for working my way down the learning curve of a new gig. However, that sometimes happens when I'm at home and life is "normal." 

Geilston Garden, Cardross, Scotland

The laptop lifestyle lets you control freelance content workflow even on the road

For several years now, my husband and I have listed a couple of vacation rental units on Airbnb. For us the pros have greatly outweighed the cons. Both apartments have high occupancy rates. Additionally, we have met lots of interesting people from all over the world, and established friendships with a few of our guests. One drawback is that we have to be at home to do the cleaning or else hire someone to clean for us. This can be a hassle, especially around holidays. Cleaning is so integral to hosting, that we have found it's easier to block the days than it is to arrange cleaning. This means foregoing income, but we believe it's worthwhile.

Adopting the laptop lifestyle for my freelance copywriting business allows me to control my workflow--and income stream--even if decide to take a day and visit Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott's home, or stroll through Geilston Garden  with the grandkids in Scotland. I don't have to make the "delegate or forego earnings" decision. I am where my work is, and my work is where I am--where ever that is.

Creating copy via the laptop lifestyle affords flexibility

,Another benefit of utilizing the laptop lifestyle when you create copy is the flexibility you have with your work location, work schedule, and clients. I mentioned portability earlier. That's a huge factor in allowing a flexible work location. A desk, a couch, an easy chair, a truck seat, an Airbnb apartment--these have all served as satisfactory work stations for me. I'm learning to settle in and work wherever I am.
 
A work schedule that works around your schedule--that's also what this lifestyle produces. Do you do your best work in the early morning? Great! Start work at 5:00 a.m. Are you a night owl? Then work at night. Does your most productive 3-hour time slot start 5 minutes after the kids are asleep? Schedule your time and go for it. Do you need one day each work to rest and reboot? Block it off, and keep it clear. One of the great things about the laptop lifestyle is that it can be molded to fit your schedule. 

Finally,  the laptop lifestyle makes it easy to acquire and retain clients. Freelancing apps--like Upwork and Fivver--help you find work. Workflow apps--such as Asana and Slack--enable you to keep track of deadlines and workflow, while your clients verify that your work is on-time and satisfactory. When a question or problem arises, you can join a Zoom call and talk it out. 

The laptop lifestyle provides the freedom to do "retirement" activities before you retire

I'm not quite officially retirement age. Even so, I've had opportunities to see places and do things I never expected to be able to do, at least not for a few more years.  Deciding to pursue freelance content marketing and copywriting fostered the idea of being able to "go and do" a little sooner than anticipated. Using an online platform and committing to a laptop lifestyle empowered that option. The result is that I've toured places steeped in history, and roamed through zoos, castles, cowboy museums and Roman ruins. Along the way, I've treasured up dozens and dozens of memories with loved ones who live hundreds of miles away.

Roman Sculpture and Gardens at Vindolanda, Northern England

The laptop lifestyle isn't perfect, but it works for me and my family

I will quickly admit that starting a new career as a grandmother presents some drawbacks:

• Many things compete for my attention. 
• Most of the time, I bring work with me, even when we're "on vacation." That can be distracting.
• My daily stamina isn't what it was when I was a 20-year-old.

Still, I don't regret leaping into freelance content marketing and copywriting--and by  extension--the laptop lifestyle. I'm:

• Learning new things every day.
• Progressing in a field dominated by people half my age.
• Doing and seeing things I never expected to do or see until after I was retired, if ever. 
• Enjoying the portability, flexibility, and control that the laptop lifestyle enables.

It's--almost--all good.