5 ms·

I’ve stopped caring about packing. Now I only pack the very basics, medication, laptop and chargers toiletries for shaving etc and a few clothes. Anything else

I’ve stopped caring about packing. Now I only pack the very basics, medication, laptop and chargers toiletries for shaving etc and a few clothes. Anything else I will most likely purchase or won’t need at all. I avoid checking bags, just a small carryon and my backpack. To me the more important items are travel requirements, road conditions, directions, etc.

flippyhead 2y ago
I have a corollary: when I head out of my apartment/hotel/whatever, I assume I could be gone for a night or two -- you never know what will happen! This doesn't mean you need to lug around a bunch of stuff, but just enough basics to make it so you can easily say YES! at forks in the road that might require you to walk too far to get home that day, or stay overnight on a boat, or be out very late with a new group of friends. A toothbrush, change of underwear, and warm cost-thing, sunscreen, etc. Optionality is easy to prepare.
- senkora 2y ago
  I must inform you that in my mind this makes you a wizard. By which I mean, thinking ahead and preparing items that give you options in the event of unlikely but possible situations is a very wizard-like thing to do.
jltsiren 2y ago
I've started to prefer small checked bags over large carryons. Boarding a plane is more pleasant when you don't need overhead space for you bags. And you don't need special travel versions of stuff to get around carryon restrictions. The backpack should also be small. I find 20 L the ideal size, but your needs may be different. If your backpack is too large, you'll be taking more unnecessary stuff with you everywhere at the destination.
- r0fl 2y ago
  Airlines are a disaster. Having luggage lost is such a PITA, especially on short trips. Carry on only. I buy the smallest carry ons I can find so the carry on police at the check in counter don’t make me ever gate check.
  - jltsiren 2y ago
    I don't find lost luggage that annoying. It has happened to me twice out of ~300 flights, and I received the bag the following day both times. Missed connections and rerouted flights due to weather, strikes, and other random issues are more common and have a bigger impact on the trip.
    - ghaff 2y ago
      I've had luggage delayed far more often than that and I've also been able to rebook because of weather only because I had carryon. Usually luggage delayed for a day isn't a big deal--if you're staying in a city (and I often leave a little slack for that reason). But if you're heading off somewhere that you can't receive a luggage delivery, that can be a big deal. Sometimes unavoidable to be sure--you're not carrying on all your camping gear--but I'll make compromises to just have carryon.
r0fl 2y ago
Same! If I stay at a hotel instead of an airbnb I will not bring my toiletries. I’ll ask the front desk and so far 100% of the time the hotels I’ve stayed at will have a shaving kit and a toothbrush and toothpaste. I don’t live a minimalist lifestyle by any means, but when I travel with family, friends or solo I try to pack as little as possible. Sometimes no carry on, just a small backpack for a quick trip
- crazygringo 2y ago
  ...deodorant? Hair product? Nail clippers? Skin products? I dunno, there's a lot of normal stuff I use a hotel isn't going to have.
  - r0fl 2y ago
    Deodorant yes Hairgel I put a tiny bit in a ziplock bag because insane tsa rules care about the co rained size not the amount inside and I’ve had hair gel containers taken away before. Now I take enough for my trip in a ziplock back and that’s it. My trips are short, have never brought nail clippers No skin products. I just use the hotel soap

flippyhead 2y ago

I have a corollary: when I head out of my apartment/hotel/whatever, I assume I could be gone for a night or two -- you never know what will happen! This doesn't mean you need to lug around a bunch of stuff, but just enough basics to make it so you can easily say YES! at forks in the road that might require you to walk too far to get home that day, or stay overnight on a boat, or be out very late with a new group of friends. A toothbrush, change of underwear, and warm cost-thing, sunscreen, etc. Optionality is easy to prepare.

senkora 2y ago
I must inform you that in my mind this makes you a wizard. By which I mean, thinking ahead and preparing items that give you options in the event of unlikely but possible situations is a very wizard-like thing to do.

jltsiren 2y ago

I've started to prefer small checked bags over large carryons. Boarding a plane is more pleasant when you don't need overhead space for you bags. And you don't need special travel versions of stuff to get around carryon restrictions. The backpack should also be small. I find 20 L the ideal size, but your needs may be different. If your backpack is too large, you'll be taking more unnecessary stuff with you everywhere at the destination.

r0fl 2y ago
Airlines are a disaster. Having luggage lost is such a PITA, especially on short trips. Carry on only. I buy the smallest carry ons I can find so the carry on police at the check in counter don’t make me ever gate check.
- jltsiren 2y ago
  I don't find lost luggage that annoying. It has happened to me twice out of ~300 flights, and I received the bag the following day both times. Missed connections and rerouted flights due to weather, strikes, and other random issues are more common and have a bigger impact on the trip.
  - ghaff 2y ago
    I've had luggage delayed far more often than that and I've also been able to rebook because of weather only because I had carryon. Usually luggage delayed for a day isn't a big deal--if you're staying in a city (and I often leave a little slack for that reason). But if you're heading off somewhere that you can't receive a luggage delivery, that can be a big deal. Sometimes unavoidable to be sure--you're not carrying on all your camping gear--but I'll make compromises to just have carryon.

r0fl 2y ago

Same! If I stay at a hotel instead of an airbnb I will not bring my toiletries. I’ll ask the front desk and so far 100% of the time the hotels I’ve stayed at will have a shaving kit and a toothbrush and toothpaste. I don’t live a minimalist lifestyle by any means, but when I travel with family, friends or solo I try to pack as little as possible. Sometimes no carry on, just a small backpack for a quick trip

crazygringo 2y ago
...deodorant? Hair product? Nail clippers? Skin products? I dunno, there's a lot of normal stuff I use a hotel isn't going to have.
- r0fl 2y ago
  Deodorant yes Hairgel I put a tiny bit in a ziplock bag because insane tsa rules care about the co rained size not the amount inside and I’ve had hair gel containers taken away before. Now I take enough for my trip in a ziplock back and that’s it. My trips are short, have never brought nail clippers No skin products. I just use the hotel soap