Yes! Have been a one bag packer for a while now as traveling as light as possible is something I am interested in. Small or big, uncertainty is something we struggle to embrace as humans, so reminding myself to keep tending to the things I can manage and not worry about the things I can’t helps me in some measure control the panic. Wishing you a beautiful journey ahead.
We did 4 weeks in Europe and we did carry ons and two of us shared a medium bag. It’s nothing like what you are doing, but I look back on my capsule wardrobe so fondly. I got ready by taking photos of the various outfits for the various climates. We checked all our bags for the long leg to Germany where they unfortunately got lost - going shopping while being jet lagged wasn’t the best feeling - so I’m sure that having your small bags and not checking them will be so helpful (or if you do end up checking them like us, you may want to pack in a way that you’ll be ok if the bag goes missing for a while - we ended up picking up the bag on our way through the airport a week later).
I hate checking in bags unless I’m flying to Asia, when I usually end up buying to much stuff it warrants a bigger suitcase haha. Good to know about the photos, what a great tip!
I have not tried major transitions like yours, though I've done some while still solo. I do, however, enjoy packing my whole life into a backpack—usually for my long travels on the road. I weighed every single item and went through the list repeatedly to prune. My friends thought I was crazy but it was oddly satisfying.
Your current major transitional phase – no physical home, career in flux, long-distance communication with friends – paints such a vivid picture of disruption. It makes perfect sense that in this macro-level upheaval, the micro-level task of packing a single bag offers a measurable, achievable win. It's like finding a perfectly smooth stone on a tumultuous beach; it's small, but it's something solid to hold onto. This isn't just about feeling safe, but about finding a tangible, albeit small, victory when the larger battles feel overwhelming. The brain, I think, is constantly seeking these small wins to recalibrate and remind itself of its own efficacy, even when everything else feels like a grand, unfolding mystery. It's the ultimate act of self-compassion, finding a little island of order in a sea of uncertainty.
wow ok this is so perceptive and makes a TON of sense! I honestly at one point felt guilty I was "ignoring" the major tasks and watching Youtube. But in its own way it's a coping mechanism and the desire for a small victory as you said. So so appreciate your comment :)
Yes! Have been a one bag packer for a while now as traveling as light as possible is something I am interested in. Small or big, uncertainty is something we struggle to embrace as humans, so reminding myself to keep tending to the things I can manage and not worry about the things I can’t helps me in some measure control the panic. Wishing you a beautiful journey ahead.
Thank you so much! I’m starting to get excited about the travels :)
We did 4 weeks in Europe and we did carry ons and two of us shared a medium bag. It’s nothing like what you are doing, but I look back on my capsule wardrobe so fondly. I got ready by taking photos of the various outfits for the various climates. We checked all our bags for the long leg to Germany where they unfortunately got lost - going shopping while being jet lagged wasn’t the best feeling - so I’m sure that having your small bags and not checking them will be so helpful (or if you do end up checking them like us, you may want to pack in a way that you’ll be ok if the bag goes missing for a while - we ended up picking up the bag on our way through the airport a week later).
I hate checking in bags unless I’m flying to Asia, when I usually end up buying to much stuff it warrants a bigger suitcase haha. Good to know about the photos, what a great tip!
Good on you! i can’t seem to get it down below 7kg (our limit in NZ for carry on). 😆
Edging towards a new doorway always feels chaotic and destabilising but what adventures await!
I have not tried major transitions like yours, though I've done some while still solo. I do, however, enjoy packing my whole life into a backpack—usually for my long travels on the road. I weighed every single item and went through the list repeatedly to prune. My friends thought I was crazy but it was oddly satisfying.
It really is satisfying! ha!
Your current major transitional phase – no physical home, career in flux, long-distance communication with friends – paints such a vivid picture of disruption. It makes perfect sense that in this macro-level upheaval, the micro-level task of packing a single bag offers a measurable, achievable win. It's like finding a perfectly smooth stone on a tumultuous beach; it's small, but it's something solid to hold onto. This isn't just about feeling safe, but about finding a tangible, albeit small, victory when the larger battles feel overwhelming. The brain, I think, is constantly seeking these small wins to recalibrate and remind itself of its own efficacy, even when everything else feels like a grand, unfolding mystery. It's the ultimate act of self-compassion, finding a little island of order in a sea of uncertainty.
wow ok this is so perceptive and makes a TON of sense! I honestly at one point felt guilty I was "ignoring" the major tasks and watching Youtube. But in its own way it's a coping mechanism and the desire for a small victory as you said. So so appreciate your comment :)