Five Unconventional Items I Lean On As A Freelancer

Working as a freelancer presents its own perks and challenges. Most successful freelancers know they cannot treat their venture as a regular 9-to-5, so preparing for long and irregular hours is critical to enjoying the journey. 

However, a major piece of the puzzle is overlooked when defining what makes a successful freelancer: How to equip ourselves. Our selection of equipment determines the ceiling of our effectiveness.

Mindset is also critical in freelancing, especially in hard times. However, the equipment used in our ventures must be carefully selected. Since freelancing is an unconventional path, we must use unconventional equipment to get us through our abnormal days. 

My Five Unconventional Items

Here are five pieces of unconventional equipment that have made a difference in my freelance journey. Remember that everyone has different needs, and what works for my ventures may not work for yours.

However, you may spur some new ideas from my list. Please note that none of these items are sponsored; I picked them because I truly got more value from them than I paid.

Mobile Charging Station 

Most of my work is created, refined, and delivered electronically. Naturally, using computers is not optional. I have great electronics at my disposal, but a single charge will not get my most power-hungry devices through the day.

Unfortunately, I've encountered a repeating bottleneck with my electronics: lack of access to outlets. Most coffee shops and libraries already have other users swarming around available outlets. Additionally, these places do not permit the use of extension cords because they are tripping hazards. 

To counter these problems, I use an EnginStar Portable Power Station to provide my own outlets. This lightweight battery has saved me hours from hunting down outlets and expanded my ability to work outside in parks to enjoy some fresh air.

This power station provides juice for an entire day. I can plug a brick into the direct outlet or one of the charging ports for smaller electronics. Both sources can be used simultaneously when multiple devices need to be charged.

This power station was also built for survivalists. If the lights go out around me, the back is equipped with a survival LED. Occasionally, I even use this light to remove shadows in photoshoots.

When I return home after a long time, I plug it into my wall outlet and let it charge overnight so it is ready for the next day.

Adjustable Tablet Stand 

Working on electronics is difficult on our necks. Built-in keyboards in laptops and compatible keyboards with tablets are useful, but don't address long-term ergonomic challenges. 

This is where a good old-fashioned tablet stand comes in. The LISEN tablet elevates my 12.9" iPad Pro to an optimal height for my neck. Not only does it make working on projects easier, but it also makes the camera angle far more flattering during video calls.

Additionally, it can be oriented in portrait or landscape mode. This allows me to work in the best orientation for my work. I prefer to work on writing projects in portrait mode while editing photos in landscape mode.

Tablets aren't the only thing this stand can hold. Smartphones and calculators easily fit in the jaws of this stand. When I use my phone for a video call, I put it on this stand while using my tablet to take notes, make edits, or conduct research.

Tablet stands are best paired with Bluetooth devices such as keyboards, mice, and trackpads.

Ziploc Bags

When we think of Ziploc bags, we normally think of them as ways to store snacks and other food items. Their use is usually singular since food tends to leave residue inside the bags.

Outside of food storage, Ziploc bags are a cheap tool for organizing items into more easily accessible departments. I pack what I need for the day into smaller bags and then compartmentalize all the smaller bags into larger bags. This way, when I’m looking for an item, I pull out the bag instead of fumbling around in my backpack.

Additionally, Ziploc bags provide a layer of weatherproofing in the event of surprise rain. My backpack might get soaked, but my electronics are shielded against water. This strategy is also great for folders with important papers. 

Pocket Notebook

Even in the digital age, there is something zenful about using a little pocket notebook with a pen. As the name suggests, it goes in a pocket and can be taken out at nearly any time to take a note or two. 

Despite electronics' advantages, such as storing mountains of ideas, a little pocket notebook unlocks something that appears to be at a premium these days—focus.

We live in a time when our attention is divided among many different ideas, people, and sources of entertainment. Consequently, these little things siphon attention from important matters.

When you open a notebook, all those distractions fade away as you pour your thoughts onto the paper. Filling a blank page with your own thoughts and ideas is a thrill that cannot be paralleled on electronic devices.

Some things are timeless, and writing in a little notebook will always be one of them. With important ideas, developing muscle memory burns them deeper into our psyche, unlocking more creative juices and ownership of the idea before ramping up for digital production.

Wheeled Suitcase

When we think of suitcases, we usually think of going to the airport or driving long distances. However, how often do we actually use our suitcases? Could suitcases be meant for more than traveling on our chosen airline? 

Instead of letting my suitcase collect dust between flights, I employ it as a mobile storage bunker in my vehicle. A suitcase is handy for properly packing and sealing all of my important items for the week.

I've fit multiple items in the suitcase each week, which makes it easy to ensure everything is ready to go, including backpacks, camera bags, dry food containers, and totes for grocery shopping.

However, care must be exercised when turning the suitcase from horizontal to vertical. I strongly recommend using some cheap blankets as padding to secure items in place.

When I park my vehicle far away from my destination, having a wheeled suitcase makes transporting materials manageable compared to hauling everything in a backpack.

Unconventional Items Produce Remarkable Results

These items were acquired and deployed in response to daily issues while freelancing. While most items can be acquired on Amazon, I strongly recommend checking out things in a brick-and-mortar shop to ensure they best suit your needs.

There's nothing wrong with using a couple of unconventional items to get through our long days. After all, who is going to remember? Even if they remember, they may wish they had done the same thing.

What unconventional items are your go-to in your day-to-day? Leave a comment below!