Minimalism

Letter #14: How did I pack for potentially 11 months of travel? By questioning what is "essential" to me. You can do a lot with a little.

This is my happy face after receiving my bag that had missed the connecting flight from Manila to Denpasar

Traveling like this makes you realize what you can live with…and live without. I packed and unpacked 5+ times before officially leaving the US, finally settling on what I’d take with me around the world. I was carrying a large, vintage Lowe Alpine backpack that my dad bought for me when I was 15 and embarking on my first big international trip to South Africa. It’s roomy & heavy, but miraculously is accepted as a carry-on for most international airlines. The Baboon to the Moon I picked up fits all my valuables and is small enough to fit under the seat on the plane.

I had to consider packing for nearly 8-9 countries. Luckily, the weather would be warm and summery in most places (yes, I planned it that way on purpose 😅), with the exception of a Himalayan trek in the Annapurnas where I’d need some cold weather gear.

LA & Hawaii were my last options to ditch any frivolous items I brought with me, shipping them back to my parents in Wisconsin. My beloved espadrille wedges, comfy enough to commute to work? They had to go. My wand curling iron that has been making me feel glam since 2013? Bye. Books? Nope. I’d finally gave in to using a Kindle.

The minute I got to Bali and saw all the breezy beach clothes being sold in the shops, I immediately wished I had packed less. Did I really need four pairs of leggings?! Overpacking is a strange source of minor anxiety for me, and actually keeps me awake at night. 😂 Nevertheless, traveling this way, carrying everything on your back, is an amazing way to figure out what you actually need.

My flight from Honolulu, Hawaii to Manila, Philippines was delayed by 2.5 hours. I miraculously made it onto the connecting flight to Denpasar, Indonesia, a mere 15 minutes before take off. Unfortunately, the “carry-on” size bag I reluctantly decided to check for ease of travel, did not make the connecting flight. This was the first time in my life my luggage did not show up on the baggage carousel, and I had so carefully packed for the next year.

You know what? I already had everything I needed in my “personal item” bag. I was wise enough to throw an extra set of travel clothes, a bikini, the toiletries I rely on most, earbuds and a sleep mask. It’s warm in Bali, but it’s the rainy season so it’s remarkably comfortable weather. I wore the same outfit 3 days in a row and picked up a small shampoo and sunscreen at the convenience store. Deodorant and bug spray? They’d have to wait. My luggage reached me a few days later.

The same goes for accommodations. I’m traveling on a serious budget right now, opting for hotels under $20 a night that include a daily breakfast. Now is the time for me to eat for fuel and less for pleasure. You can get a pretty decent set up for $9-$15 a night here. My place in Ubud had a beautiful pool, a firm bed, ice cold A/C, and a private terrace. The bathroom could use a facelift, but enough for me to get the job done (the shower does have hot water, which you won’t find in all Bali places 😊). This sort of accommodation isn’t what we’re used to in western travel—no Kiehl’s branded mini soaps, no TV, no fitness center, and the wifi doesn’t work in the bedroom. The roosters begin crowing at 4am and there is zero you can do about it.

But it’s more than enough for me to feel safe, comfortable, and get a good night’s sleep. You know what’s crazy? I never got jet lag. This unintentional idea I had of stopping in different time zones, along with my innate ability to sleep long nights, finally kept the jet lag at bay.

I realized I don’t need two different outfits in a day, like I usually pack when I go on a week long holiday. Hell, I don’t even need a different outfit for every day. I need outfits that travel well, that I feel comfortable and confident in. I brought one nice dress in case I go to a party or out to dinner. I left any sort of heel at home. Birkenstocks, strappy sandals, my Hokas for running, and my Danner hiking boots are all easy to walk in and can be used daily.

Hairspray, heat tools, Aveda haircare? You just don’t need it. Your hair will do whatever you want in this climate anyways, and I’m learning to be more comfortable in my natural look. (I couldn’t leave home without my Le Labo perfume though, so I’m grateful my luggage wasn’t permanently lost. 🫣)

Ok a quick list of what I DON’T NEED:

1. Fancy shampoo/conditioner/hairspray

2. Multiple changes of clothing per day

3. A gym membership. I brought some resistance bands and will run, swim, and walk for exercise.

4. Heels. They’ll only prevent me from wanting to walk and explore.

5. A huge bottle of moisturizer. I’m currently testing out the slugging method of using petroleum jelly as a full body moisturizer (Thanks Sasha & K Beauty).

6. Beach cover-ups that serve little purpose. I opted for a lightweight cotton towel I picked up in Turkey, and a vintage sari wrap that I bought in New Orleans—both can be used multi-purposefully.

7. A brand new iPhone. This was a tough one. I’ve been overdue for an upgrade for 2 years and the photo quality on a new iPhone makes such a difference. But the battery still works great and the sim card is unlocked. I guess if it gets stolen, broken, or lost…I won’t be set back.

8. Jeans. FORGET IT. They’re too uncomfortable. I’d rather frolick around in dresses, skirts, and a bikini for the rest of my life.

9. Any frivolous makeup. I brought only what I need for a simple look for going out to dinner, and threw in one eyeliner and one red lipstick in case I want to feel fancy. ❤️

I’m loving this minimal lifestyle. I was already accustomed to living simply in my New York City studio apartments. But carrying only what I need on my back for a year is a different story. Every decision I make right now is an opportunity to save some money for weeks or months of further travel—and also a regret as my pack gets heavier and heavier.

Things that I DID opt to bring with:

1. Headlamp. A wise suggestion from travel blogs. Many accommodations that are tucked away in the woods (see Maya Moon Lodge in Guatemala) can be a bit difficult to navigate at night.

2. Bar shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Not only does this reduce plastic waste, it takes up less space in my bag. 🥳

3. Packing cubes. These were a game-changer in my large pack! My packing is way more organized and the weight more evenly distributed.

4. 3 swimsuits. One for surfing and snorkeling, and 2 for lounging around on the beach.

5. An airy cotton button down that’s cozy enough for layering up on flights, and conservative enough to enter a temple.

6. Zinc, Ibuprofen, and several prescription meds in case I get sick.

7. A packable sunhat so I can read easily on the beach.

8. Incense and a holder so I can make any space feel more like home.

9. 2 sports bras—one for running and one for hiking.

10. Fanny pack for my valuables, packable backpack for hiking, canvas tote for shopping.

11. Pistachios! An easy snack so I don’t have to waste money on subpar/expensive airport food.

12. A refillable water bottle—it’s free and reduces plastic waste.

For years I would hear myself, friends, and colleagues exclaiming that we NEED new fall clothes. “Ugh I hate everything in my closet, I NEED new clothes.” But something shifted in me in the past year. I’m making a conscious effort to be cognizant of how I use the terms “need” vs. “want”. I never NEEDED new fall clothes, I wanted them because I was bored and antsy and unhappy. I wanted to experience the short-lived gratification from buying something new because other parts of my life were lacking. And every season, every year I participated in the “need” for new fashion, I further set myself back from my goal—which was to drop everything and travel around the world. It required me to work harder, work longer, and pray for bonuses so I could support my consumer lifestyle. I was trapped. So no more. I won’t do that anymore. I will live simply so that I may simply live.

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Hannah Hubanks recommended a documentary to me called Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things. And while the two main subjects’ delivery is a bit preachy, I found myself copying down nearly every single quote from every person interviewed. It was validating to hear others’ stories about the “prison” that materialism and consumerism can create for us, and further encouragement to make the change.

“Downsize your way to happiness.”

“[Advertising is the]…subconscious messaging that we are inadequate. That we are not enough.”

“You gave up your independence, gave up your freedom in return for some stuff that’s gonna be worth nothing at next year’s garage sale.”

Quick Update: I’m currently in Uluwatu, in the southern part of the island of Bali. I head back to Ubud tomorrow (Tuesday, February 28th), and leave for Hanoi, Vietnam on Friday, March 3rd. I have SO many stories to share as I wrap up a month in Bali, so I’ll be posting more frequently until I can get caught up. ❤️‍🔥

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