3 ms·

I tried long term backpack travel and it wasn’t for me but trying (many times) basically perfected my packing for all trips. Between a backpacking trip to nort

I tried long term backpack travel and it wasn’t for me but trying (many times) basically perfected my packing for all trips. Between a backpacking trip to northern Europe to 3 day quick trip to Chicago, I can be ready to in like an hour and still, according to friends, be the most prepared. It also bled into my daily life and I picked up some really good habits. I am not a minimalist but I would say I have very little clutter. So worth it to try it a few times even if you never actually do it.

dijit 1y ago
Ever think about writing some of those habits down? Might be able to impart wisdom without the mess of backpacking days on end; or maybe the lessons have to be hard-earned?
- lukan 1y ago
  Unless he found some secret magic trick, I believe they have in general been written down already a millions times by now. And yes, they have to be hard earned, meaning when you do carry your big backpack around way longer than you planned for (because a bus was not there or whatever) - you do learn to not appreciate all the useless things you carried for no reason and leave them at home next time. Best advice: Travel light But still, mind where you are going. If it is the mountains, you still want to bring warm clothes and they just are heavy. I am right now preparing for the mountains and think of whether to take a tent or not (the huts for sleeping are mostly closed already) The heavier the backpack, the less fun is walking with it. And that works also as a metaphor for everyday life. The less shit you take with you, pulling you down, the easier it is to make progress.
- harrall 1y ago
  I have written it down but it is a checklist and there are thousands of those. Checklists are very personal so that’s why I suggested that you “do it for yourself.” That said, these are the 3 main lessons I got: - Everything needs a place. I need to picture that place before I even buy the thing, while at the store. When you are trying to fit everything into one backpack, you practice this a lot. - Occasional I go look through all my belongings and toss. I did this a lot when I felt my backpack got too heavy or big. Do this enough times and getting rid of a belonging becomes emotionally normalized and easy. - This may all seem like a lot of work but only at first. Why? Because it creates a mental feedback loop that discourages hoarding. You remember what kind of items you throw away so you stop even collecting them. For example, I use to keep all USB cables but I would always throw them out during these “spring cleanings” so now I throw them when I first get them. So I encourage trying it yourself because things like having a feedback loop or being okay with discarding junk doesn’t come from just reading about it. Similar to being okay with being rejected when dating, you have to do it enough times so it becomes comfortable.
  - throw744848484 1y ago
    > USB cables but I would always throw them out during these “spring cleanings” so now I throw them when I first get them. Funny. One bagging travel turned me into USB cable hoarder. This stuff always breaks, gets lost on the road, and it is quite handy to have stash of spares at home. I hate shopping for random stuff, ordering cables from Amazon is a lottery and fire hazard these days. So I buy good stuff in bulk and discounts. If I find good shoes, I buy ten pairs, before they are discontinued. My living room wall is now covered with stacks of boxes with supplies. Look does not matter, I do not live there most of the time anyway.

dijit 1y ago

Ever think about writing some of those habits down? Might be able to impart wisdom without the mess of backpacking days on end; or maybe the lessons have to be hard-earned?

lukan 1y ago
Unless he found some secret magic trick, I believe they have in general been written down already a millions times by now. And yes, they have to be hard earned, meaning when you do carry your big backpack around way longer than you planned for (because a bus was not there or whatever) - you do learn to not appreciate all the useless things you carried for no reason and leave them at home next time. Best advice: Travel light But still, mind where you are going. If it is the mountains, you still want to bring warm clothes and they just are heavy. I am right now preparing for the mountains and think of whether to take a tent or not (the huts for sleeping are mostly closed already) The heavier the backpack, the less fun is walking with it. And that works also as a metaphor for everyday life. The less shit you take with you, pulling you down, the easier it is to make progress.
harrall 1y ago
I have written it down but it is a checklist and there are thousands of those. Checklists are very personal so that’s why I suggested that you “do it for yourself.” That said, these are the 3 main lessons I got: - Everything needs a place. I need to picture that place before I even buy the thing, while at the store. When you are trying to fit everything into one backpack, you practice this a lot. - Occasional I go look through all my belongings and toss. I did this a lot when I felt my backpack got too heavy or big. Do this enough times and getting rid of a belonging becomes emotionally normalized and easy. - This may all seem like a lot of work but only at first. Why? Because it creates a mental feedback loop that discourages hoarding. You remember what kind of items you throw away so you stop even collecting them. For example, I use to keep all USB cables but I would always throw them out during these “spring cleanings” so now I throw them when I first get them. So I encourage trying it yourself because things like having a feedback loop or being okay with discarding junk doesn’t come from just reading about it. Similar to being okay with being rejected when dating, you have to do it enough times so it becomes comfortable.
- throw744848484 1y ago
  > USB cables but I would always throw them out during these “spring cleanings” so now I throw them when I first get them. Funny. One bagging travel turned me into USB cable hoarder. This stuff always breaks, gets lost on the road, and it is quite handy to have stash of spares at home. I hate shopping for random stuff, ordering cables from Amazon is a lottery and fire hazard these days. So I buy good stuff in bulk and discounts. If I find good shoes, I buy ten pairs, before they are discontinued. My living room wall is now covered with stacks of boxes with supplies. Look does not matter, I do not live there most of the time anyway.