Before I share with you some of the tips that helped me pack in my 25l backpack for one month in Thailand, I have to admit that I used to be one of those people who would overpack for every trip or vacation, no matter how long I'm staying.
My philosophy was "Never wear the same outfit twice, especially if you're taking pictures!" which is now so silly to me. So if I went for a 10 days trip, I would pack 10 different outfits for day time, few outfits for night time and a few more "just in case" outfits. When you add full sized bottles of shampoo, gel shower and other similar stuff, big bag of makeup and a lot more items I thought I need, I end up with a giant suitcase, struggling to handle it while I travel.
Over the time I started to care less about material stuff. At the end, it's the experience that matters, things you get to see, people you meet, culture you get to know, not clothes and make up you were wearing... When I discovered people on YouTube who call themselves "minimalists" I was fascinated and inspired by their lifestyle and the ability to pack light and travel the world. The fact they could carry their belongings in a backpack and move from one place to another really encouraged me to try doing the same. Of course, I made some mistakes, brought some stuff I didn't use but it will take a few times until I figure out the "perfect" minimalist packing skills.
There is one great quote that says:
Fill your life with adventures, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.
With that being said, I will share some tips that helped me and hopefully they can help you as well.
1. Change your mindset
This is, in my opinion, the most important tip I could give you. Once you change the way you think, everything else will come so easy. As long as you have your passport, some cash and maybe a credit card and your phone with you, you are fine. Of course, a little bit of clothing is necessary, basic toiletries and for some people a few extra electronics. Everything else is not a priority. Also a good way to help you change your mindset is realizing that everything material can be replaced.
2. Check the weather at the destination
Take advantage of Internet/Apps and check the weather at the location you're going to. This way you will have a general idea of what clothing and shoes you need and the chances you bring too much or too little will be down to minimum.
3. Make a list
I recommend making a list few days before you start packing, having on mind the previous tip. Have a list on a piece of paper or your phone and every time you think of something, just write it down. This will make your packing so much easier and stress free and the chances are you won't forget anything. You can also bring the list with you so you can use it when you pack to go home or to another destination.
4. Roll your clothes/Use packing cubes
Rolling clothes was a game changer for me! It saves me a lot of space and if you have packing cubes, it will help you save even more space and keep everything neat and organized. You can you one packing cube for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear and swimwear etc. The good thing is they come in all shapes and sizes. I am planning to get at least one set of packing cubes for my next big trip!
5. Stick to basic toiletries and travel sized items
I got some travel sized containers for some of the stuff I wanted to bring with me, like my face cream and coconut oil. I also packed stuff like toothbrush, mini toothpaste, deodorant, small bag of makeup, all natural body soap. Since I'm not picky with my shampoo, I bought it at the destination.
This is going to be different for everyone; if you're a guy you most likely don't wear make up. :) Some girls don't wear it too and that's fine. Just stick to your essentials and if you have a specific product or brand that you absolutely love then bring it with you but a lot of stuff can be bought at supermarkets/drugstores anyway.
6. Choose your clothes wisely
If you are packing for cold weather, layering pieces are a must. For summer I recommend light materials and (for girls) one-piece items such as rompers/jumpsuits or dresses. Try to choose basic colors that can be easily combined with other items and choose pieces that can be mixed and matched easily. This will give you more outfit options. But I have to say that I used to love clothes with prints and I still do but now, when I go shopping I try to go for some basic, neutral color pieces.
Also think about your activities when you're on the road. Are you planning to spend most days at the beach? Then pack a few swimsuits. If you're going to be active, going to the gym, hiking or something like that, than you need some workout clothes. If you have special events or a lot of meeting you should pack something to dress up a little bit. You get the point! :)
Same goes for shoes and accessories.
7. Wear the heavy/bulky items on you
Pretty self explanatory, but make sure you wear thicker pieces that take up a lot of space while you're traveling especially if you're having a long flight or a night ride to your destination.
8. Have fun - it is a learning process
It doesn't matter if you forget to bring something or you packed an item that you did not end up using. I made a mistake when I packed a nail polish and I didn't paint my nails at all. I also brought a light, thin scarf, more for dressing up, thinking I would use it as an accessory around my neck or to cover my shoulders, but I didn't because I was using another one every single day.
Learning from little mistakes like this will improve your packing skills and you will become more confident with your choices knowing what you need and what you don't need.
If you have any other tips, leave them in the comments. I hope this post was helpful.
Image source:
https://goo.gl/images/wgQJOF
https://goo.gl/images/qjO9ra
https://goo.gl/images/9D95Nv
https://goo.gl/images/ClydLo
https://goo.gl/images/AXTmsM
https://goo.gl/images/TdeLC7
https://goo.gl/images/l1Ctz1
https://goo.gl/images/67tmrT
Thank you for reading!
Nikolina
I'm clumsy with arranging my backpack I put useless cloths sometimes but I tried to be smart and think over and over again so decided to separate all the things inside my backpack to a cloth container so I can get it fast if I want to wear it so no need to find also to prevent messy things
That is a great solution! I also use fabric bags or different size make up bags to organize smaller things. It's all about trying new ways to pack and organize your stuff until you find one that works best for you. :)
Thank you for the interesting and helpful post!
I'm glad it was helpful.
Thank you for your comment! :)