What I Brought on My 1.5 Year Trip Around the World
Three years ago, I sold everything I owned to backpack solo around 3 continents and 12 countries.
I’m sure I don’t need to elaborate on how it was the best time of my life and taught me some of the greatest lessons of my adulthood.
My trip went something like this, 30 days spent in Costa Rica, a quick trip back home for my nephew’s first birthday, and then back to Costa Rica.
When I left for my first trip I brought everything I thought I would need.
My bag was about 40 pounds-it had a hairdryer, straightener, curler, dry shampoo, huge bottles of shampoo and conditioner, ten shirts, four shorts, a pair of jeans, four pairs of pajama pants and shorts, a rain jacket, two pairs of sandals and a pair of sneakers.
In thirty days, I used half of it.
Preparing for my second trip out into the world, I reassessed and cut down my belongings.
Backpacking in a warm location, you’ll need:
Four pairs of shorts
Four tank tops
Two bathing suits
Two microfiber towels
One pair of sandals
One pair of sneakers
One rain jacket
Once I headed to Europe, I unloaded all of my summer belongings, donated them to somebody less fortunate and found a cheap store to buy warmer clothes.
Backpacking Europe in the fall you’ll need:
One light jacket (I have a denim shirt)
Three tank tops
One sweatshirt
One warmer jacket (I have a peacoat)
One rain jacket
Two pairs of jeans
One pair of leggings (Extra pair of jeans for boys)
One pair of boots
One pair of sneakers
One bathing suit
Two microfiber towels
Two sweaters
As a minimalist backpacker, I focused on the season and how I could make the most out of a little for the particular continent that I was in. I used an 80-liter REI backpack that had everything I owned in it.
In 1.5 years, I mastered the art of a minimalistic, backpacking nomadic lifestyle.
