Minimalist Travels: Packing Light

When my son visits me, he brings only a small carry-on duffel bag or backpack with him. When my daughter visits, she hauls a large suitcase; she has different needs than her brother. Each keeps some clothing and grooming supplies at my home, but that seems to make little difference in their packing preferences. Like my daughter, I tend to pack too much, mostly out of insecurity about which clothes will work for the events or weather. Nevertheless, for a 5-day visit to my former home city, I was determined to pack like a minimalist.

First layer packed!

Luckily, I already knew, more or less, what the weather would be like (thanks Weather Channel). All my activities would be casual with only a few plans up in the air. That should have made my choices easier, but I still debated for days what to take. The small, carry-on suitcase was in my bedroom ready to be packed. I decided that I would pack for half the possible activities and do laundry as needed.

First, I counted out the number of undergarments I would need. The zippered compartment was now full. Next, I laid out my pants, staggered them on top of each other, and rolled them up into one large sausage roll. After that, I rolled each shirt up separately. They are less uniform in shape than pants, and with smaller rolls, I had more flexibility in fitting them into the space. Only half full. So far, so good. Finally, I added one pair of PJs, an extra pair of shoes for walking, and my grooming bag, which contained minimal make-up and jewelry. I’d still have to check it in for the flight because I had liquids in the grooming bag, but I could have carried it on if I had omitted lotion and sunblock. I patted myself on the back. It’s the least I’ve ever packed for a trip!

It was a short, intense visit; I packed in a lot of activities during that week. I saw my son almost every day, and of course, the friend I was staying with. I paid a bittersweet visit to the family of my friend who had passed away just four days before my arrival. It was both lovely and sad to see her family and share some memories. One afternoon I met up with an out-of-town friend mid-way between Austin and her town. I saw a couple of other friends and even paid a short visit to my favorite independent bookstore.

On my way back home, I reflected on how important it is to emphasize experiences and relationships over stuff. I didn’t see any of the typical sites nor did I attend shows or concerts. My experiences consisted entirely of meeting family and friends, and the money I spent was mostly for my time with them. I did a lot, bought little, saw loved ones, ate too much, and enjoyed every moment. It was the best kind of short minimalist trip. Mission accomplished!