“The first principal of packing light is to choose a small bag and stick to it.”
* * * *
The first principal of packing light is to choose a small bag and stick to it. When I travel abroad, I prefer to take just one small suitcase, the carry-on size. This is more than enough space for me and the ability to walk on and off the plane without parting with my bags takes a load off my mind. It also allows me to navigate the airport far more efficiently by skipping the luggage check-in counter and the crowds at the baggage claim. The second principal is using space efficiently. The best way to do this is to roll one’s clothes rather than folding them in the traditional manner. I pack each item tightly into mesh packing cubes which keeps my clothes compact and organized. I never pack a pair of shoes other than what I wear to the airport and if I will need a coat, I wear it onto the plane to save space in my bag. An expert tip is to choose each article of clothing so that it can be worn in combination with any other article. This way the permutations of possible outfits far outnumber the total articles of clothing you decide to pack. When I travel, I pack very few non-clothing items. The list of essentials includes my passport, wallet with ID and money, house and car keys (pack these in an inside pocket of the suitcase as you will not need them and this way they don’t get lost), sunglasses, a phone, charger, and a power adapter (these are often country specific so make sure to bring the right one). Of course, we all have something we simply cannot feel comfortable without be it a laptop, a book, or a camera and if that is the case for you, then that item should certainly be included. Packing light doesn’t just take a load off your back, it takes a load off your mind. Keeping things simple makes it easier to live in the moment and enjoy your time abroad rather than spending it stressed and worried about not losing all that stuff.
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting