What do you hate most about traveling? For many travelers, only one answer comes to mind: packing. There’s something about trips that activates a person’s inner hoarder, tossing things into their suitcases “just in case” they need it. A lot of us overpack without meaning to, and then we’re stuck bringing everything you packed with you for days, weeks, or even months. Trying to keep track of all those things and wasting energy on bringing everything with you dampens the travel experience. This is why many people are trying out minimalist traveling.
MInimalist traveling cuts down everything you don’t need and strips your packing list to the necessities. Less packing means less weight to carry around and puts your luggage in the backburner of your mind. Then you can freely enjoy your trip without worrying about your suitcase. But how can you shift to this new way of packing? Here are the basics of minimalist traveling, so you can focus less on your luggage and more on your trip.
Stick to a backpack.
It’s time to say farewell to your rolling suitcases. Not only are they more inconvenient to use, but they also encourage overpacking. Backpacks give you a good limit to work around, forcing you to really consider everything you want to bring before you put it in your bag.
Plus, if your backpack is small enough you can pass it off as a carry-on at airlines. You’ll be able to save money by skipping out on baggage fees. Remember to check your airline’s carry-on baggage rule. For example, Philippine Airlines will only allow carry-on bags that are 22in x 14in x 9in with a maximum weight of 7 kilograms.
Research your destination and plan accordingly.
Knowing everything about your destination will help you figure out what to pack. First, how’s the climate and weather? Can you get away with only bringing light and thin clothing, or do you need to bring layers? Will you need sunscreen and sunglasses for the harsh sunlight, or an umbrella for the rain? Will there be enough insects to justify bringing repellant? Is the humidity dry enough to need lotion? These are all things to consider for a comfortable trip and an easier packing experience.
Next, figure out your itinerary. Having an outline of the activities you want to do can narrow down your list. You don’t even have to plan everything down to the last minute. For example, if you plan on going hiking, think about what you need for it: hiking shoes, navigation tools, a multitool, and a first aid-kit. Likewise, if you don’t think you’re going to go swimming during the trip, it’s best to leave your swimsuit at home.
Pack versatile, multifunctional items.
Multifunctional items will save your trip and the space in your backpack. For example, there are multifunctional clothes that you can bring with you. There are pants that you can turn into shorts, dresses that can function as skirts, and shoes that you can turn into flats or heels depending on the occasion.
Other multifunctional items you can bring are multifunctional soap, makeup, multitools, or cutlery.
Maximize your space.
Did you know that folding your clothes is actually an inefficient way of packing? Folding ends up taking up more space that could have been used for packing other essentials. Instead, lay out the outfits you plan on wearing and learn how to “ranger roll” them. Ranger rolling is a folding technique wherein you fold clothes into thirds and roll them together.
Besides clothing, make sure your other items are organized and placed strategically in your bag. Keeping toiletries in one bag can help you with organization, for example. It’s also a good idea to bring a lightweight dirty laundry bag to separate your clean and dirty clothes without wasting any space.
Think of what you can buy yourself.
There are plenty of things, mostly consumables, that you can leave at home and buy when you’re at the destination instead. The best example is toiletries, which you are encouraged to leave behind anyway due to your airline’s liquid limit. You can also buy a first-aid kit as soon as you arrive instead of bringing one with you. Finally, snacks are definitely worth buying rather than bringing yourself, as they can quickly take up a lot of space in your bag.