There’s an ancient saying that when you travel you should pack half as much as you need but double the amount of money you bring. After traveling around the world twice, I couldn’t agree with that statement more. It’s really important to pack very little on your holiday. Packing light helps you avoid fees on airlines, saves space, and gives you less weight to carry, and allows you more freedom.
It is often said that the stuff we own, ends up owning us. When we travel, we plan a lot. We typically take lots of clothes and stuff because we think you never know what might happen. So we go on a two week holiday with a backpack stuffed with half our wardrobe. However, the secret to travel is packing light. We often go on a trip and only end up using half of what we brought, angry we brought so much in the first place.
When I travel, all of my belongings fit into a tiny daypack and a larger backpack or duffel bag. I have traveled for over a year without needing anything more. In fact, I often find I still take too much!! When friends come and visit me, I am amazed that they brought so much stuff. They ask me my secret to packing light. I’ll tell you what I tell them.
Here’s my secret to packing light and how you can too:
First, think of a list of everything you think you might want. Everything and anything. From clothes, to toiletries, to electronics, to jackets, and everything in between. This packing list will usually ends up pretty long. But that’s ok, we’ll get it down fast.
Next, look at your list and think about it in relation to your trip. If you are going to the islands, do you really want pants or jeans? If you are going to Rome when it is warm, do you really want to pack long sleeve shirts?
Now, you should have reduced your packing list down a bit by eliminating those items that don’t really have much to do with your destination. Now, let’s take a peek at your toiletry list. Why are you taking so much? In this age of over caution, people tend to pack every medicine known to man just in case. Let’s be real- do you ever use any them? Can’t you buy them at your destination? So go minimal. If you do get sick, you can always by Tylenol or diarrhea medicine there. Take only the bare essentials. A few pills that take up only a little space- you don’t need the whole box.
What about the non-medical supplies your packing? Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razor, and shaving cream are what you need. If you are staying at a b &b, you don’t even need soap or shampoo since it is provided for you. You’re going on an adventure not to a corporate function so get rid of the cosmetics and facial products.
Now, think about your packing list. What can you buy there if you really need it? Probably lots. Get rid of the bug spray, the suntan lotion, and whatever else you are taking. You can’t take it on the plane anyways.
Ok, final step on the way to packing light. We’ve probably cut out a lot of your list now. The last step is to just throw out another half. You are holiday, relaxing. Things don’t get that dirty and you can wear the same shorts a few days in a row. Ditch the towel- just use the one from the hotel. Take half as many clothes. Wear a few longer or don’t wear any! You never wear everything you bring and unless drop something you or sweat through your shirt, you can use it for more than one day.
That’s it. That is the trick to packing light. Cutting, cutting, and cutting until you get to the important items you need to pack. If you follow this opinion, I guarantee you will be packing light and make the whole packing process much easier.
Matt is an avid traveler who has mastered the art of traveling light. You can find more about how to travel the world and packing for your trip at his website.
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