Ways to Pack Light
There’s an old adage that when you travel you should pack half as much as you need but double the amount of money you bring. After backpacking around the world twice, I couldn’t agree more. It’s very important to pack very little on your adventure. Packing light helps you save space, and gives you less stuff, and more freedom.
When we go on vacation, we plan for every little accident that may occur. We pack everything just in case even if we know deep down we will never wear them. We only end up wearing half our stuff anyways so we should learn how to only pack half as much as we think we need. Packing light is an art.
When I travel, all of my possessions can go into tiny daypack and a larger backpack or duffel bag. I traveled without ever needing anything more. In fact, I often find I still take too much!! When friends come and visit me, I am amazed that they packed so much stuff. They ask me my tips on packing light. Here’s how I pack light and how you can too:
First, create of list of everything you think you might need. Everything and anything. From clothes, to toiletries, to electronics, to jackets, and everything in between. This packing list usually ends up pretty long. But that’s ok, we’ll get it down quickly.
Now, look at your list. Do you really need all of that stuff? Probably not. Think about your list in relation to where you are going. If you are going in mid summer, you don’t need a jacket. If it gets really cold, buy one there. It will make for a good souvenir anyways. Eliminate all that is not absolutely necessary.
Next, you should have reduced your packing list down a lot by eliminating those items that didn’t really have much to do with your trip. Now, let’s take a gander at your toiletry list. Why are you packing so much? In this age of over caution, people tend to pack every medicine known to man just in case. Let’s be realistic- do you ever use most of 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.
What about the non-medical supplies your packing? Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razor, and shaving cream is all you need. If you are staying at a hotel, you don’t even need soap or shampoo since it is provided for you. You’re going on holiday, not to a corporate function so ditch the cosmetics and facial products.
Now, look at your packing list. What can you buy there if you really need it? Probably lots. Toss the bug spray, the suntan lotion, and whatever else you are bringing. You won’t be able to carry it on a plane.
Thee final step is to just cut out another half of your list- the stuff we didn’t cut. You are holiday, relaxing and your clothes won’t get that dirty unless you spill something on them or sweat a lot. Take half as many clothes. You can wear them for more than one day. Most people do anyways. If you are just sitting in the sun, you won’t even be wearing a shirt. Juts get rid of it- you never wear it anyways.
That is the secret to packing light when you travel- cut, cut, and cut some more. Most people just throw things in a bag but you must be organized if you are to know where you can cut because you need to know what you are taking and what you will need. Be realistic about packing and don’t be tied to what ifs. Anything can happen on the road and if you have an emergency, you can simply buy what you need.
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