Yea, you read that right. My entire life fits one checked bag, a duffle, and a backpack.
I remember watching this documentary on Netflix called the Minimalists a couple years ago and thinking how cool it would be to downsize my life. At the time, my life was cluttered with some much stuff... but i still couldn’t come to grips with letting it all go. I figured I’d need these things somewhere down the line. Little did i know they were just holding me down.
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When i decided i was ready to travel full time, I started writing down everything i touched each day to see what I really needed to live - and i realized it was no more than 10-15 things. The rest was just excess. This made it easier to sell or donate things i didn’t need, and just let things go.
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It was scary at first, as i had become attached to all my things. Even the things i never used. but the more i let things go, the more weight I felt lifted off my shoulders. The less i felt tied down. The more i felt free. It’s freeing to let go of what no longer serves you.
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So, what do i carry around with me? I’ll cover everything i own in a future post, but for now, it’s really five main things:
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1. my clothes
2. my laptop
3. my camera
4. my yoga mat
5. my nintendo
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That’s pretty much it.
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Well, that’s not entirely true, as I have a journal, a few books, a water bottle, workout supplements, and grooming stuff. but by and large, those are the main things. i also left my books and records with my parents in the event i decide to settle in somewhere. but that’s all.
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Some people think it’s crazy to have so little, but i don’t. every Airbnb I stay in has the essentials. iIm okay not owning my own spatula. more importantly, having such few things allows me to focus only on the things that are important to me, so i can leave the rest behind.
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But that’s just me. We all have things we need to make us feel at home. so, what i want to know is this:
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What is something you couldn’t live without?