Travel & Hotspots
MINIMALISTIC TRAVEL
How to pull it off
When you’re at the airport you always see two types of people: the types that are going to get a freaking hernia from their luggage (aka me) and the modest type that have no problem packing things for 3 to 4 days in a small trolley.
I’ve always been impressed with the latter and will probably never be a part of the minimalistic club. I prefer paying a couple extra euros to avoid packing stress than have to limit what I take with me. But still, I know that my boy would be way more excited if he doesn’t have to carry around 3 bags of mine and anytime I show up for a press trip I get plenty of eye rolls when they see that I’ve tagged along my entire life. I know, I KNOW; I always bring way too much. Even when I’m not abroad I’ll show up at the office with a suitcase. They feel like an extension of my arm. I can’t help it.
‘ Only bring two pairs of shoes? Jesus, I’d rather stay at home.’
I promised this time around it would be different. As you might have read yesterday, I spent my weekend in Barcelona and my boy and I had decided to not to check in any suitcases. “Oh, I’m sure I’ll be fine just this once”, I said. “I’ll just bring a couple of light dresses, a bikini and flip-flops and I’ll be fine.” As soon as he smiled I knew I had made a gigantic mistake.
The night before we left I had a panic attack. Howdafuck was I going to stuff all my sets into that tiny thing? Did that piece of junk SHRINK? And my laptop? I have to be able to work too. Only bring two pairs of shoes? Jesus, I’d rather stay at home. I decided it was time to give my boy a call. If it was okay if I uhh… because the suitcase is so small… pretty new shoes… I could sense the disappointment. So, plan failed and the morning of our flight I booked extra suitcase space. I have no backbone.
Are you boarding a plane sometime soon and all you’ve got on your menu is hand luggage? Then as ironic as this is, I’m going to help YOU out.
– Change your mentality. Don’t think in terms of ‘What would be useful on my trip?’ but: ‘What can I live without?’ Those that don’t help, is excess you can do without. Do you want to travel light? Then don’t be as hard on your suitcase as the guys are on you at passport control.
– Accept your natural hairstyle when you’re abroad. That blowdryer and hair straightener can stay behind. All it does is take up room and weight. Give your hair a break.
– Mini is the magic word. Mini deodorant. Mini shampoo. Mini makeup bag. Or for those who dare: hardly take any bathroom necessities with you. Bye it when you’re there.
– Leave your home looking like a snowman. Put on the clothes that take up the most space on your way there, and back.
– The golden minimalistic rule: two of each is plenty: one to wear and one to wash. Okay okay, if this is too nerve wracking, three is fine too.
– Piling everything up in your suitcase is so 2015. The real wanderlusts amongst us roll up their clothes. Apparently it saves up plenty of space. Google the term ‘packing cubes’, they’re travel bags that make packing more efficient.
– Last but not least: accept who you are, the amount of cute shoes in your closet won’t show who you are as a person to those around you. And if you’ve got a few euros left to spend, just buy that extra suitcase weight.
