How I replaced my notebook, camera, laptop, phone, and sketchbook

It used to be that when I would travel, I would take along a journal to write, a sketchbook to draw, a laptop to work, a camera, and a small planner to keep in my bag. I had to remember to bring each thing, and to make sure they had enough clean pages to keep me going for a while. If my plans changed, I'd have to erase or cross out in the planner, and the limited space would sometimes be messy. These paper things would wear out and fade.

All those are gone now, replaced by much less. I do carry a combination sketchbook/notebook to sketch and jot things down in ink. But now I just use my iPad Pro to do everything, even take photos. I love the big viewfinder (the whole screen). I take lots of videos. And selfies.

I heard about how you can use tablets for art, and knowing that a tablet is like my smartphone with a tons of apps, I started looking online for a site that explains drawing tablets, and I found this one: http://www.tabletsforartists.com. Wow, there were a lot more choices than I had imagined. I picked the iPad Pro because I love my iPhone. And, the review said the iPad Pro is ideal for taking notes and drawing.

Like many of us, I have side gigs going that I do with a good Internet connection. These require communication with the client at any time of the day or night and sometimes from different time zones.

Because it's pressure-sensitive, the harder I press down, the darker line or color I get. I use apps that are versions of Photoshop and sketching and painting apps, and notetaking apps. So my writing looks like real writing. I can get a sketch done in very little time and make it look like watercolor, well, sorta. Photo editing is quick too. I can make fun little cards to send my family.

I still use my cell phone, but I also make calls on the iPad Pro, where I can see faces close up. Since the tablet isn't good for texting, I still use the phone for that.

When I do my editing of documents, I use the Apple Pencil as the old red pen. Then I can just email the work to the office. I can use any color and make any kind of tool. I use a new layer so I don't need to touch the original document. Of course, I can also open up the document and edit the typing. Plus, I can make a PDF out of it. It couldn't be more convenient.

If I don't have Wi-fi, I use my cell phone Internet sharing.If you don't know about that, here's a place you can look. http://www.howtogeek.com/213329/how-to-share-your-smartphones-internet-c...

In some instances a laptop is still best. It can do a lot more, but I don't always need that kind of multitasking. For shorter trips, the iPad really can replace my laptop. There is such a thing as laptops you can draw on, too, and maybe I will get one of those, for when I need to multi-multitask. But for now just having the tablet will do.

Traveling just wouldn't be the same without it. I now even carry a smaller bag. My kids finally think I'm cool—well, almost. They were the ones who convinced me to get it.

Watching Netflix is easy on it too. You just open the app. And I can order food or shop online. And buy plane and train tickets. The only thing it can't do is actually transport me from one place to the other, but I can do virtual meetings on it. Any tablet would do most of these things, but the drawing capabilities are really good on this one. I also like that it has a warm pink light, it takes out the blue light that keeps me awake..

It can be easy to lose track of what I'm eating, so I use a journaling app and a food diary for all that. And a yoga video site. And to-do list apps. It's like a full-time job to keep up with the apps I use! (It's really not hard--there is so much choice it's kind of addictive to try them out).

It's almost too much fun and I have to remember to get work done. Oops, it's time to upload this document! See you in the next time zone!