How to Pack Light: Essential Tips for Minimalist Travelers
There's nothing more frustrating and infuriating than arriving at your dream destination only to find out the airline has lost your luggage. Want to know a secret? The smartest travelers only bring a carry-on with them. If you pack light, you don't have to go through the grueling queue. Less is more but how is it possible to survive out of one small bag? Read on to know more!
Create a detailed packing list.
One basic step to take before traveling is making a packing list. This list can help you make sure you're only packing what you really need. Through this list, you won't be able to miss a single item ever again. You can write everything you think you'll need on your upcoming vacation, like:
- Power banks
- Clothes
- Toiletries
- Medications
- Electronics
Utilize packing cubes.
Digging deep into your travel bag for that specific item can take a significant amount of time and can cause more stress during travel. This is where travel cubes will come in handy to avoid digging to the bottom of your bag trying to find a pair of socks.
Categorizing and familiarizing tops, bottoms, and underwear can save you a lot of time. During airport inspections, you won't need to pull out every item. Not only does it make finding items a breeze, but it's also a great way to separate your clean clothes from the dirty ones.
Avoid overthinking.
Do you really need that extra sweater? Research the places you're going so that you won't have a "just in case" mentality when packing. For instance, you don't have to bring that bulky jacket if you're going to a tropical country.
The fewer clothes you pack, the easier it is to stay within the airline's carry-on limitations. For instances that you really need a specific clothing, you can always find one on your destination.
Wear bulky clothing items during travel.
To free up even more space, you can one of your heavy clothing like a vest, jacket, long pants, or hiking boots instead of packing them in your carry-on bag. Doesn't feel like wearing them? You can use that vest, jacket, or even your long pants as a pillow or throw them in your bag once you're onboard.
Don't bring all your shoes.
Review the activities you plan on doing at your destination and choose which shoes are the most suitable. You can bring the most versatile shoes you own so they can be used for exploring the city, lunch out, or even at a dinner party. If you're planning to bring a heavy type of shoe, you can wear them during the flight so that they won't take space and weight in your carry-on bag.
Invest in adaptable/quick-drying clothes.
The key to packing for extended vacations is bringing with you your adaptable clothing. Take some of your high-quality items of clothing that serve multiple purposes rather than a bulk of single-use items. Also, invest in clothes with quick-drying technology so you can wash and let it dry quickly to wear it on your next destination.
Leave most of your devices/cables.
Be honest, you've been here before—you pack your bag and suddenly it feels like you're bringing the whole house with you. But one of the biggest culprits for excess luggage weight are those devices we insist on packing. If you want a minimalist and hassle-free travel, you should start considering on leaving that bulky laptop unless you're actually working on the road.
Do you really need a separate media player or Kindle? You can just load up your phone with movies and books, and you're all set! If you're really into taking photographs of moments and sceneries during your vacation, you can bring with you one good camera (but at least ditch the tripod) while keeping the cables to a minimum as well. Or better yet, embrace the minimalist life and use your phone for all your vacation photos and videos. Trust me, your back (and the baggage handlers) will thank you later.
Choose the right bag.
Last but the most crucial of all—choosing the right bag. As airlines implement stricter rules regarding weight and dimension limits for overhead luggage, this is a step you'll never want to miss before choosing your next destination. Aside from fitting into the compartment, make sure your back can:
- Make backpacking comfortable;
- provide multiple compartments for packing small gears;
- be easy to carry around;
- make packing easier and;
- be durable enough to survive falls or even rough handling.
Another factor to consider when choosing the most suitable bag for your next trip is its materials. Make sure it's made of soft materials so that it can easily fit and mold into tight spaces. Having a soft fabric bag can also make packing more efficient by making it easy to compress down extra stuff.
Lighten up and Enjoy the Journey
Packing light is mainly about being mindful of your choices and prioritizing versatility over excess. With these tips, you can travel with ease and embrace a minimalist mindset that can go a long way beyond your travel. Keep in mind that the true meaning of travel lies within your experiences along the way, not the weight of your luggage and the style you're trying to achieve. Lighten up and enjoy the journey!
