Minimalist travel made easy: how I overcame overpacking and found freedom

Introduction

The year is 2011 – I just graduated high school and I have been working at the local supermarket for a solid ten months to save whatever money I can. A little over five thousand euros and some change felt like a fortune back then. I will need as much money as I can, because the only ticket booked is the one all the way out there. I won’t return until the funds run out. In the months leading up to the biggest trip of my life, I meticulously curated everything I thought I'd need.

I bought hiking boots for the mountains I was going to climb, travel towels for different occasions: shower, beach, pool, small games to play while traveling on plane or train, a million different sprays, balms and pills to eliminate whatever disease might cross my way, and a big The North Face Terra 65 Liter hiking backpack to carry it all. Once that thing was fully loaded my tiny 19-year old frame could barely manage the weight. I told myself I’d have to pull through because there’s no way I could go on such a long journey with any of these pieces missing. I was convinced my future self would thank me when an emergency arose, and I needed that specific item.

This is the story of how I learned to stop overpacking and love minimalist travel. I'll share the mindset shifts, gear choices, and efficiency tricks that transformed my travel experiences – and can transform yours too.

Dormant regret

I could hold onto that feeling for about a week. The moment I had to walk across a beach in hiking boots and jeans with a 25kg backpack, while the blistering sun was pouring down on us, is when I had my first reservations. They were only faint, whispers of doubt I quickly suppressed, clinging to the comforting belief that this was simply what backpacking was supposed to be like, but they were there.

Perhaps it was no coincidence that this hotel, which we'd reached after such an ungainly trek, was also where I encountered the antithesis of my approach: the ultra-minimalist traveler. Just as I settled onto the porch of my stilted cabin, another traveler appeared on the horizon. He seemed to float across the beach, leaving barely a trace in the sand. Sunglasses shielded his eyes, his brow was only slightly damp with heat, a T-shirt was casually draped around his neck, his small backpack bounced lightly with each step, and slippers dangled from his fingertips. I was surprised, perhaps even amazed, but mostly skeptical. Was he some kind of itinerant, devoid of possessions? I couldn't fathom that someone could be right in the head if that was truly all he carried.

That night, we sat next to each other at the beachside restaurant, I believe his name was Matt. We got to talking. I learned that Matt was on a similar journey to mine. His plan was to stay away from home even longer and, yes, that little 26 liter backpack had everything he’d ever need inside of it. I laughed politely at the absurdity of the thought alone and kept the conversation moving. Deep down inside though, I was jealous.

The mindset shift

It took a full nine years after that initial encounter, including several more trips burdened by the same heavy setup, before my perspective began to shift. Over time, my priorities shifted from being 'prepared for anything' to valuing freedom of movement and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations, which ultimately demanded a different packing strategy. I now realize that those early trips were more about my anxieties and insecurities than actual preparedness, and it took me years to unpack that mental baggage along with the physical load.

Even on the first trip where I didn’t check a bag for a flight, I still had the largest available carry-on rolling case and full-sized backpack with me as a personal item. As soon as I realized the benefits that come from bringing less stuff on a journey though, my quest for infinite downsizing began. Now, with numerous minimalist trips behind me, I can say it all boils down to a few key elements: thoughtful planning, a willingness to compromise, and a near-obsessive need for efficiency.

Define your travel style

Another title for this section could’ve been: Stop lying to yourself. Understanding how you travel and what you truly need will make a massive difference. This might seem obvious but taking a moment to pre-visualize your trip and what you plan to do on it, really allows you to pack more efficiently. Believe me, it’s so easy to pack extra swimming shorts and goggles if you think you ‘might definitely go snorkeling this time’ when you hate swimming itself already to begin with.

I now realize that those early trips were more about my anxieties and insecurities than actual preparedness, and it took me years to unpack that mental baggage along with the physical load.

The thinking is simple: what do you believe each day might roughly look like (without making any illusions.) If you can picture yourself waking up for breakfast, to sit on the beach all day, perhaps go for a walk, then dinner, after-dinner drinks, finally bed – then you can also envision exactly what you will need on that day. The same is true for city trips, or hiking, it doesn’t matter. A certain activity requires certain attributes, you can prepare for this.

Categorize your items

Next to that, you must consider the different types of items you will need. For most people, those categories are limited to: clothing, accessories, technology, and toiletries. I always start with the categories, rather than the items themselves, because it allows me to mentally ‘batch’ my packing process. If I’m only thinking about clothing, I can easily go: t-shirts, sweater, shirt, pantalons, shorts, underpants, socks, hat. It’s like a mental journey I take through my attire, checking off all the boxes as if there’s an order to them. For my technology, if I’m thinking iPhone; I’m thinking AirPods, if I’m thinking AirPods, I’m thinking charger; if I’m thinking charger, I’m thinking MacBook, if I’m thinking MacBook, I’m thinking camera. I can go on if you want to but I think you get the point.

Double down on multi-use

Finally, while I’m going through my mental list, I also try to connect between the items to ensure I’m not bringing doubles. If I need a short to sleep in and a short to wear in the morning, those can be the same thing. On some trips, that short can also double as regular shorts, maybe even swim shorts (this doesn’t always apply, obviously. I have some decency.) You want a more obvious example? The USB-C charger you use for your MacBook, also charges your iPhone, and it also charges your camera. Be even smarter about it; buy one a charger brick with multiple USB-ports and you will only need that one brick and maybe two cables. If you can adapt that type of thinking, you’re golden.

Embrace the limitations

As a photographer, this means I actively decide on a type of photography before going on a trip. I decide the general ‘look’ for my images ahead of time, if you will. I also see these limitations as trials of my skill and find enjoyment in those limitations as much as I enjoy having to carry less. In fact, now that I think about it, these benefits are amplified because my commitment to minimalism is, at its core, a powerful declaration of self-belief. This lifestyle is not merely about decluttering possessions; it's an active and continuous affirmation of my own worth.

Be willing to compromise

If you read the above and thought ‘but what about my pretty dresses for disco night?’ Well then, bad luck, you’re not wearing a dress on disco night. A nice top and a skirt will have to do. In fact, do you even want to go to disco night, or is this just something the brochure tells you to do? In which case, you could also skip out on that extra pair of ‘shoes you keep clean’ because you’re not going to use them anyway.

Nobody said going minimalist was easy, it requires sacrifice, but it is fun, it should be fun, if you really want this unburdened life. It’s time to let go of your FOMO and stop preparing for “what if” scenarios that are probably not going to happen. And even if the opportunity presets itself, well, you’ve made your choices beforehand. If disco night was not important to you when you packed your bags, in the heat of the moment on the night itself it’s probably also fine to enjoy a glass of wine on the sidelines.

Keep it simple, stupid

Again from the perspective of a photographer: I’m probably bringing only one main camera, with one lens, and one smaller back up camera. Sure, a wide angle makes more sense in a busy city, whereas a longer lens is good on that mountain hike. In which case, bring that 35mm or 50mm and just make it work. Trust me, it’s a great exercise that will enhance your skill as a photographer, makes you aware of your surroundings in different ways you wouldn’t have otherwise, and never having to think about what camera or lens to bring is pure bliss. Oh, and if you’re really not confident about this, I guess you can bring that 18-55mm kit lens. But only if you promise that’s a lens you would’ve used back home anyway.

Optimize for efficiency

Finally, all items must be ‘stackable’ but shouldn’t require stacking. The most obvious version of this is your clothing: a t-shirt can be worn on its own, adding warmth is done by a sweater, more warmth by a vest, a waterproof layer is added by a windbreaker. You don’t need that additional jacket to stay warm, that’s one less item to carry.

Putting this 'stackable' principle into practice also extends to your travel days. This also means you’ll probably be wearing your warmest set of clothing on your actual travel days. This isn't just about comfort; it's about maximizing space in your luggage and ensuring you're prepared for unpredictable temperature changes during transit, especially on airplanes or in different climates.

What you have is good enough (so choose wisely)

For me, the optimizations start long before I even think about going on a trip. The camera I pick and carry with me is influenced by the camera I imagine myself never leaving home. What is the type of body that I have no problem taking with me wherever I go, without ever thinking “god, do I need this weight on me today or are we not doing anything that special?” The moment you have that though, I highly suggest you reconsider what you’re working with. More concretely, this means mirrorless systems often offer significant weight savings without sacrificing image quality. My Fujifilm X100V or X-Pro3 are excellent travel companies for their top notch image quality but mostly small sizes.

If you currently don’t own a camera, don't underestimate the power of a good smartphone camera. That’s a device you’re going to carry with you anyway and the camera on it is able to produce gallery-quality shots if you know what you’re doing. The goal isn't just to carry less; it's to carry purposefully, ensuring that every item contributes to your creative vision and enhances your travel experience.

Conclusion

If the above sounds too rigid, frugal, hard, or simply not really fun for you, nobody is forcing you to adopt the minimalist travel lifestyle. It’s not for everyone, but at the same time I do believe it can be for anyone. If you want to give it a try, I recommend starting small. Don’t just stick everything you come across in your house during packing into your suitcase. Be a little more mindful about it and see what you can eliminate.

A good way to start doing this is by making a “just in case” list. Stick everything you think you won’t need on a daily basis but maybe might need once or twice during the trip. Now ask yourself: can you combine this with other items? Do you have to bring it from home or can just simply buy it on location in case you do need it? If the answer to the latter question is a full on “yes” then consider not bringing it. If you don’t end up needing it, you saved the weight. If you do, the back up plan of buying it on the spot is already in place. That’s elimination with peace of mind.

As a general rule of thumb: the shorter your packing list, the less stress you are forgetting anything, the less you have to carry during your trip, the less you can lose, the less you have to think about where all your items are. Aim for this and you’ll free up headspace that’ll allow you to be more present, focus more on the experience, and appreciate the journey more. Having less stuff with you makes you more mobile, which gives you more freedom to navigate crowded streets, hike to remote locations and move more quickly to capture those fleeting moments. Plus it’s cheaper too because you’re paying less baggage fees and won’t be as easily tempted to buy unnecessary souvenirs.

I can go on but I think I’ve outlined the potential benefits of going from a heavy packer to an unburdened minimalist. I understand not every trip is suitable for this approach, so I encourage you to keep the principles of going minimal in mind at all times, and discover the freedom that comes from traveling lighter, both physically and mentally.