…limited choices are good. Too many are exhausting.
On my recent trip to Amsterdam for a long weekend I decided to challenge myself to take only carry on baggage. As I was flying Easy Jet, this was for sure a challenge. I needed to get everything into a really small bag that fit under the seat in front of me, including a purse.
I could have paid to have a larger bag that could go in the overhead bin, but because I like a challenge and because it would have cost me more than the ticket itself, I opted to travel light.
There is sometimes a certain joy in restriction. Have you ever had a small budget, and were determined to make it work, and then felt great when you did? That’s what this challenge reminded me of. The first time I came to Europe, back in 1990, I had a tight budget and felt so powerful when I stayed within it while having had a fabulous three week trip.
So jump forward 30+ years. As I packed, I thoughtfully considered what I really needed. What I’ve come to realize, after years of travel, is that all I really need is myself and the documents required to travel. The rest is, as they say, gravy.*
Now that said, I’d prefer to bring along enough clothing and some toiletries so that I don’t need to purchase anything along the way. But I have learned to relax when I forget something because in the places I usually travel to, they do indeed have stores and supplies that I might need. Go figure. And they don’t tend to cost much more than what I would usually pay, so it’s ok. Forgetting things turns from a chance to berate myself into a chance to be ok with being imperfect. And then it turns into a treasure hunt!
On this trip I knew I was in the market for a turtleneck. So, after I packed I took one sweater out and left it at home, so that I would have space for a new one. This serves a couple of purposes; it is a good exercise in trusting that I will manage with less, and it gives me a treasure hunt to pursue. Rather than buying useless souvenirs I purchase something I can use on the trip and at home. I found a turtleneck in a beautiful heathered moss green, and I think of my time in Amsterdam each time I wear it. That is my kind of shopping.
Oh, and I forgot my toothbrush and toothpaste. Uhm, yes, I know, the most basic. But it was not only ok, it was actually kind of fun to buy the bamboo toothbrush with pink bristles and the charcoal whitening toothpaste. I’d never tried black toothpaste before.
This was my opportunity to buy an unusual and useful souvenir. I smile every time I use it. And I do use it. It’s a nice alternative to my electric toothbrush.
So, if all I really need to travel is myself, how then do I decide what I do want to bring? Well, usually I bring what I really feel good wearing. I even envision myself on the trip, walking around in sunny and rainy weather, perhaps snowy depending on where I’m going. I see myself there, not only comfortable, but feeling good. Those are the outfits I bring.
What I don’t do is bring something for every situation. I’ve tried traveling that way, but I end up with heavy bags and no room for purchases. I’m not a big shopper at home, probably because I love to shop when I travel. Then not only am I getting what I need, but I’m getting it from a foreign place, and I know that each time I use it I’ll be happily reminded of my travels.
So, I try to bring what’s needed, not more. That means that I for sure will wear the same thing many times. And that’s ok. After all, who will know? And who cares? We tend to worry about wearing something two or three days in a row. But guess what? Your friends notice how you look as a reflection of how you are feeling, who you are, not specifically what you are wearing. Think of someone you met casually last week for a meeting, business or personal. What exactly were they wearing?
Even more importantly, why does it matter? Who decided that we are better people if we have and wear more clothing?
“I do not care so much what I am to others as I care what I am to myself.”
― Michel de Montaigne
Sartorial expression or showing myself through my style is something I love. And I have found great freedom in wearing just my favorites, meaning the same jeans or sweater two or three days in a row (even when I’m not traveling).
One of the ways I feel good about wearing things often is to only own pieces that I love. I love to find my basics in second hand shops, and then fill in as needed in regular stores (hopefully when traveling). Sometimes I go ahead and spend some money on special pieces. This autumn when I was in Paris I bought a jean jacket for more money than I could have imagined. I love this jacket and the designer I bought it from. It works in all seasons, super flexible to use, and something that completes an outfit for me, makes me feel like me, ready to see the world!
So I travel lightly with favorite pieces and reap the benefits. I don’t have much to choose from, and can get dressed and out the door quickly. Who cares? I’m only pleasing me. I am both physically and spiritually lighter. I’m ready to explore and enjoy, rather than pondering which necklace to wear.
Speaking of which, regarding jewelry, I usually wear the same each day. That includes one favorite pair of earrings, ring (plus my wedding ring), a watch and maybe a necklace. This makes getting dressed simple, and leaves room for new trinkets should I decide to treat myself.
On toiletries, I have paired those down in my daily life, which makes travel simpler. I don’t shampoo my hair and since making that change, no longer need product for my hair.** I make my own deodorant which I can carry in a tiny ziploc bag. I have collected small refillable containers for what I do want with me. I love using eyeshadow, and have a small palette that is easy to include. I have a travel washcloth that takes off my makeup easily and dries quickly, and doesn’t smell even if I need to pack it wet.
Shoes? Well, I go first for comfort, then for style. I now have my favorites for winter and summer. They are light and don’t show dirt, and most importantly, care for my feet on those days I traipse around for hours (and hours and hours!).
Layering my clothing works in so many ways (learned during menopause). It allows me to be comfortable in many different temperature situations, and offers me many options. Maybe today that lighter sweater, tomorrow the warmer jacket, the next day both.
On that flight to Amsterdam, I wore a tank top, a shirt, a light sweater, a wonderful jean jacket, a scarf and a sweater coat. That gave me plenty of choices for my time once I arrived. Once I was on the plane, I opened my bag, removed my purse to use, and replaced it with the jacket. シ
So be prepared, but just. Remember you can purchase items if needed. And remember that limited choices are good. Too many are exhausting. Limited choices allow space for purchases, that will long remind you of your wonderful trip. They also leave space to be the creative and resourceful.
Having more space in my head so I can worry less about how I look and jump instead into the wonderful experience that awaits me outside the door, no matter what I am are wearing, now that is my kind of travel!
Rylla Resler is a writer, yoga and mindfulness teacher living in Basel, Switzerland. Traveling is her favorite way to reconnect with herself. If you enjoy reading her musings about traveling through life, please subscribe. Subscriptions are available for free, or if you choose to support monetarily, you will have access to in person/online workshops and events with Rylla, and can access all previous posts.
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*I have always used this idiom to mean that once I have a certain thing handled, the rest is extra. Nice to have, but not required. There are indeed other meanings, or at least nuances. Here’s a place to start your jump into that rabbit hole.! シ
https://www.youridioms.com/en/idiom/the-rest-is-just-gravy
** I use mostly hot water, once and while other natural cleansers. Questions? Put them in the comments and I’ll tell you more. シ