“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.” – Anais Nin
Minimalism is about attitude. Perhaps it’s also about being honest. We don’t need all the stuff we think we do. And when it comes to travel, there’s nothing else that dampens the spirit of adventure like dragging a cargo load of overpacked suitcases around.
Over my various traveling expeditions, I have attempted to down-scale my suitcase size and the stuff I pack. Never once have I experienced a frightening, under-packed ‘situation’. In fact, quite the opposite. I return home with clothes not worn and gadgets that I never once took out the suitcase.
So as we plan to embark on another journey, I am already preparing myself to travel light. This trip is tricky. Firstly, a conference where I need to look somewhat put together. Then a holiday, in which I will predominantly live in hiking gear. My plan is black. Black is brilliant.
I will take 2 pairs of black pants that can be used for the conference with a couple of nice tops. These pants will then be converted to hiking pants with long flannel shirts (hey, don’t judg
e the flannel). A light, black cardigan and black boots can be useful in both settings. I will wear my hiking boots on the plane. Black down vest when it gets chilly. The necessary gear for wet, cold weather – jacket, beanie, gloves, scarf. Not forgetting underwear, socks, bathers, a tiny emergency kit and toiletries. Done!
e the flannel). A light, black cardigan and black boots can be useful in both settings. I will wear my hiking boots on the plane. Black down vest when it gets chilly. The necessary gear for wet, cold weather – jacket, beanie, gloves, scarf. Not forgetting underwear, socks, bathers, a tiny emergency kit and toiletries. Done!Now a few things that I have found useful:
– Don’t Leave Your Packing to Last Minute.
You will stress and overpack. Or you will stress, overpack and forget stuff. Why not open your suitcase a week early and begin to throw in all the useful things you want to take: cords for your phone, giant hair curlers, coffee machine, nose-hair clippers, whatever takes your fancy.
– Have a ‘To Do’ list in Place for Travel
If you travel a lot, why not write a list that you can follow in order to make the preparation time stress-free? Mine includes things like making sure that the humans that remain at home are cared for and informed, that the fur children are sorted, and that visas and passports are in order.
Talking about passports: Remember that some foreign governments require visitors to carry passports with at least six months validity beyond their planned stay. You may be refused entry if you fail to comply. So don’t be stuck on the doorstep of some exotic place, with your nifty, tiny suitcase, only to find you need to turn around and go back home! As the Penguins from Madagascar would say: “Well, that sucks!”
– Think Looooooong Plane Trip
My partner thinks flying is a most wondrous invention (check out his blog on travel hints here). I hate it. I hate airports. I hate the long lines at passport control. I hate cooped up planes. I hate all the human noises on the cooped up planes. And there are not enough hours in the day to hate the plane toilets. Other than that, I am actually quite a positive person. So amidst all this hating, I have to prepare myself mentally before a flight!
My hand luggage includes something to knock myself out on for long, overnight flight (I mean legal stuff, right?!), a water bottle, face cream, deodorant, eye cover, EAR PLUGS (!), iPad and camera. I don’t wear makeup on flights. I am 50 years old and have earned the right to look as pale as Morticia if I want to. Also, if by chance you ever sit next to me on a plane – don’t talk and don’t make eye contact and we’ll be great friends.
– Money, Honey
Have you got enough cash for all the coffee table books you will buy and never look at again? You will pay a lot on extra charges using your credit card. You can also use a travel card. Just keep it all safe. There are many others who would love to share your earnings!
– Trying out Suitcase Organisers
A friend recommended these clever little suitcase organisers. It appeals to my sense of German and order. And I bought them on sale which appeals to my sense of ‘tight arseness’. Will keep you posted on their success rate.
– Essential Packing: A Sense of Wonder!
When all is said and done, let us consider what a great privilege it is to be able to travel and explore new places (take note, grumpy-travelling-self!). Our ancestors would not even have imagined such possibilities. So let’s journey with a sense of wonder. And, friends, let’s not allow ourselves to be robbed of our moments and experiences by trying to catch everything on camera or feeding the relentless social media machine. Wonder can’t really be captured that way. Rather, it is a gift that only the heart can hold.
May your journey be blessed!
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert
6 thoughts on “Travelling Light!”
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Having just travelled for three months with our family we managed to depart with minimal luggage where the check in lady complimented us on our minimalist approach…..unfortunately our return was not quite so minimalist with laden suitcases. Must work on the return aspect!
hahaha – yes, the temptation of overseas shopping can be quite overwhelming.
Great article. We are off to Europe for 7 weeks and have each packed down to a mid size case. We smile at our U.S friends who each tote two large cases plus carry on bags and constantly search Europe for laundromats.
Yes – I have to confess to gleeful satisfaction when I bustle around with limited luggage and observe others who choose to take their ‘house’ with them. In German we call it “Schadenfreude” 🙂
“What would Morticia wear?” has long been my guiding light in fashion choices so I am so on board with your ideas here. 😀
She is sheer, underrated elegance, Fiona 😉