That used to be me, the one with a bulging suitcase that was ready to compete in a lifting contest. All the stuffing made it seem as though I was preparing for an expedition to the north pole, the suitcase turned out to be full of all the shoes that I would pack ”just in case”. So with standard raincoats packed in there too, my luggage always seemed to be overweight.
Let me recount how one day, my habit of packing went incredibly out of hand. At the airport, I had to struggle with my unusually heavy suitcase which I packed way more than necessary, with the weight being a nuisance. You could scan the crowd and instantly tell that onlookers were confused and judgmental, waiting to see what broke next.
As if sensing my struggle, the crowd behind me began to murmur against the idea that it was worth approaching the scale. My suitcase was then lifted by the airline rep, and to my surprise, the people who stood behind couldn’t control their shock, but the worst was yet to come. Forget a few pounds of luggage, I was fifteen pounds over the weight limit.
Embarrassment was all that I was left with because soon enough my stuff began falling out of my suitcase whilst I was struggling to figure out what stuff I was supposed to throw away. All of this was happening while a small crowd was not only watching me but also laughing and mocking the situation I was in.
It was a moment that let me realize that I had given in to my suitcase’s bullying, and made a vow at that very moment to myself that it would never happen again.
A New Perspective: The Allure of a Minimalist Approach to Travel
I participated in the pleasures of easy travel as soon as I made a firm decision to do away with my slouching overpacking habits. At first, it was simply a way of avoiding spending more than I had on overweight baggage fees and sparing myself more embarrassment in public.
However, it dawned upon me that going minimalist with my luggage also gave me a sense of liberation and provided mental clarity. My overpacking luggage clogged my brain with unnecessary worry; for the first time, the burden of completing errands before my vacation was overshadowed by the excitement of embarking on a trip.
How do you feel about the fact that I am making my first overpacking attempt? If I may point out, there is hope for you as well. So, without further ado, let’s look at the steps that empowered me to move away from stuffing my suitcase to more reasonable carry-on-only trips.
The Transition Towards Minimalist Packing
What’s the Big Deal About Traveling Light?
- Easier Mobility: No checking in luggage means getting by through security and checking in much quicker, getting on buses or the tram system, or even on the cobblestones without being all out exhausted (or with a sore shoulder).
- Saves Money: Say goodbye to paying too much for checked-in bags and paying for overweight luggage. Not to add, fewer items are less to be forgotten.
- Decreased Anxiety: Out of the items left only the most important ones such as your toothbrush are basic to carry and remember are there to forget. So, everything has its place and is packed in an orderly manner so the chance of forgetting any essentials slows down.
Fundamentals of a Minimalist Approach to Packing
- Need Over Want: Take only the stuff you will certainly use, no more, no less. That third pair of sneakers, for example. You are most likely going to leave that in your suitcase, because let’s be honest, you have never worn even two of them on the same trip, so why would you want to bring a third?
- Versatility: Select clothes with multiple purposes, such as a scarf that works as a blanket too.
- Quality Over Quantity: Use lightweight and durable equipment to save space in your bag.
The ‘One-Week Rule’
If you are planning to go for a trip and you intend to stay for a specific period of time, this is a life-saving hack, pack only for a week, regardless of the length of your trip; because, come on, there is laundry. This concept, however, helps in making the right decisions and changing behavior.
Several Important Packing Techniques
Capsule Wardrobe
The winning formula to pack light while traveling is having interchangeable clothes, here are some of the items on my list:
- 2-3 pairs of Jeans
- 4-5 Tees
- 1-2 Pullovers
- 1-2 pairs of Sneakers
Pack a pair of shoes that are of neutral colors and light fabrics. You’ll appear smart without carrying your entire wardrobe around.
Rolling or Folding
This has been the greatest debate in history, here is the answer: roll your casual clothes to save on space and to avoid them from creasing. Fold the more structured clothing to maintain its fresh look. It is also important to remember that rolled clothes should be stuffed into shoes to save space.
The Best Travel Hacks
Try buying travel-sized containers instead of buying a whole new set of perfumed salts or liquids. You can try miscellaneous items, such as a sarong that acts as a beach towel, scarf, and pillow, the three-in-one combination.
Mobile Application that Optimizes Traveling
Packing light isn’t just about having small baggage, but rather obliterating any unneeded hassle while on the go: enter technology.
Trip It: Get Itineraries Organized
- Google Maps: Save documents to be able to still read maps while being offline.
- Cloud Storage: Easy uploading of scanned photos into Google Drive or Dropbox keeps important documents safe.
Common Mistakes and Lessons Learned
The 'Just in Case’ Floodgate
I remember how, once, I put 5 of my favorite jeans into the laundry basket just to be covered and ready just in case a spontaneous combustion occurred. It all made sense at the given time, after all, denim emergencies do exist. However, carrying that weight around made me more aware of its uselessness.
Just as a spoiler alert: none of those jeans got burned, and during this trip I wore just one pair for most of the time, sometimes even going with only two for the whole trip.
Emotional conclusion: There are no boundaries when it comes to relying on common sense, especially not when it comes to being over-prepared. But carry my jeans: remember that at your destination stores will always be available to buy any of the accessories you may forget.
Practical Tips
- Packing List: The best practice is to remain undecided when it comes to certain posts and instead follow through with your plan.
- Packing Cubes: Great for governance and organization
- Compression Bags: Great for small jackets.
Minimalism in Traveling
When you step onto the airplane, it still stays with you. It also has travel components, like minimalism that takes an emphasis on sorting the gadgets you utilize for activities, or strategies that focus on less rather than more. For example, if you plan for limited activities, you only get worthwhile ventures instead of flooding your schedule.
This way, not only do you have fewer bags to carry, but you also enjoy your travels more. Have a designated area for your belongings and do a daily bag inspection to make sure you have everything necessary to avoid an over-packed bag. Take pictures of the sights you want to buy as a souvenir instead.
How to Travel Wisely and Not the Other Way Around
Traveling with a minimalistic approach to traveling has changed the way I experience the world. I was that person who was ready to check in a suitcase the size of a newborn, now thanks to the experience I carry only the necessary items with me when traveling which include only the essentials.
So next time you think of carrying an extra pair of shoes, think of the embarrassment that I went through at the airport. It will save you from back pain and feel good in your pocket. The experience is much more about the way you traverse than the destination you reach. Happy Travels!
Saket Kumar, Travel Writer, Canada Hustle