Have you ever seen some miserable backpackers, on the road, hauling around monstrous, overweight, oversized and over-packed bags on their backs that make it look like it’s difficult to walk?

They’re sweating and swearing and vowing that they’ll never pack that much stuff again!

I have been one of those people. And I’m sure you probably have been too, at some point.

But, no longer! That stops today!

You see…

Life on the road becomes much easier when you pack correctly, by taking only what you need and leaving the rest at home. It’s more comfortable, first and foremost. You’re a lot more mobile so it’s easier to get around. Also – if you live out of a small enough backpack – you’ll save yourself a fair bit of money on airline baggage fees.

THE BENEFITS OF LIVING OUT OF A BACKPACK

There are plenty of reasons why one should live out of a backpack while traveling. Here are just a few:

• Less time wasted at airports, waiting for your luggage, or (worst-case scenario) trying to track it down if it gets lost! Yes, this does happen (more than you think).
• Save money on flights.
• Less back and shoulder pain.
• Easier to travel on buses, trains and other forms of domestic transportation.
• More energy to enjoy the backpack life.

Living out of a backpack is all about eliminating the non-essentials so you can focus more energy on what’s really important; the trip or adventure that you are embarking on. And this may be the greatest benefit of all.

In a deeper sense, living out of a backpack – and backpacker culture in general – is about rejecting widely accepted social norms.

We are told to shop and buy and consume and own stuff. And this stuff is never enough. We always need more stuff.

No wonder so many of us are not content or happy. No wonder the world is suffering due to our gross consumption habits.

What we need to do is take a step back, assess our priorities and adjust our life accordingly.

Instead of chasing possessions, we should chase experiences.

Instead of acquiring more stuff, we should simplify and live with only what is of most value to us.

This is what living out of a backpack is all about. It’s what it embodies.

Most people end up happier and more satisfied with their life when they get rid of unnecessary excess, declutter and simplify their lives.

So, if we apply the same principle to travel and backpacking, shouldn’t we expect the same results; a more fulfilling, rewarding and enjoyable travel experience?

RULES FOR LIVING OUT OF A BACKPACK

Contrary to what you might first think, living out of a backpack doesn’t necessarily have to be a challenge.

Yeah, there may be difficulties in the beginning, but soon, you’ll be looking back at your previous, multiple bag, suitcase self and wonder what the hell was wrong with you.

In order to make the transition process as simple and stress-free as possible, here are a few simple guidelines to remember…

STICK TO THE ESSENTIALS

Whenever you’re packing or planning your trip, always make sure you ask these questions:

• Do I need this?
• How useful is this?
• Would it make more sense to save the space in my bag now and buy this when I’m out there?

The goal here is to weed out everything you want to take or think you need to take with you that you actually don’t.

If you find yourself debating whether or not to pack something or thinking “what if I need this”, chances are you’re not going to need it at all.

Stick to the essentials, and you’ll be amazed at the size of the load that’s taken off your back.

Both physically and mentally!

LESS IS MORE

Less weight, more effectiveness.

Less weight more mobility.

Less weight, less physical strain.

You get the idea!

The point is, travelling with less is almost always more beneficial to you.

Having less doesn’t make you unprepared or anything. Because it’s not just about how much you pack, but also what you pack.

Let me explain…

By focusing more on multi-purpose, versatile items (these can include gadgets, clothes or anything else) you’ll be able to be just as prepared for your trip, using only a fraction of the space you’d use otherwise.

Oh, and while I’m talking about space…

There seems to be this common misconception in life that if we have space we must fill that space.

Travel is a perfect example of this.

In fact, this is often the root cause of many of our overpacking problems.

The simple solution?

Give yourself less space.

By downsizing to a smaller backpack (more on this in a little bit), you will inevitably force yourself into being more selective and honest when it comes to what stuff to bring and what stuff gets left behind.

PACK ENOUGH CLOTHES FOR 1 WEEK

Whether you’re travelling for a week or a year, this will almost always be enough clothes.

With the abundance of laundry services you’ll have access to, it’s not difficult at all to make do with a smaller wardrobe.

If you’re a full-on budget backpacker, it may seem more appealing to wear the same clothes over and over again to avoid laundry costs. And when it does finally get to the point where clothes just need to be cleaned, the shower seems like a better option than any washing machine.

LEAVE SPACE

Remember what I said earlier about getting a smaller backpack?

Well, if you don’t want to do that, keep the same pack but make a concerted effort not to fill it to the brim. Stop once it’s half full or maybe two-thirds of the way.

The point of leaving this extra space is to primarily, teach you to pack light and travel with essentials only.

But, it’s also so that you can pick up the odd gift or souvenir. It’s so that you can get those additional clothes or toiletries that you needed. It’s essentially helping you stay prepared for any unexpected expense or purchase on the road.Posted by : travel360  On December 31, 2019 | 0 Comments