Less REALLY is more when travelling.

They say less is more. I, a self-diagnosed shopaholic, have always found that to be debatable. But, after setting off on my own adventure around Europe I can finally appreciate the saying. When it comes to travelling, less really does mean more!

Packing for any trip can be daunting. Throw in the additional stressors of possibly having to consider different climates, activities, occasions and cultures and you may be inclined to pack everything you own. After all, if you’re going to be living out of your suitcase for an extended period, you need to make sure you need everything to live right? Well, no, not really.

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that almost everywhere you go will have shops. The exception being if you’re planning on going camping in the wilderness, in that case, this isn’t the place for you. But, for those of us who stay, for the most part, in at least somewhat populated areas, there will more than likely be a shop somewhere, yes it may be basic and more expensive than what you're used to but it will be there if you find yourself in a pinch.

Secondly, the best things you pack will have more than one use, be suitable for more than one activity and be needed in more than one scenario. Instead of bringing multiple plugs, bring a universal adaptor. Instead of bringing multiple coats, prioritise bringing one that goes with everything, keeps you warm and could protect you in a downpour. If you’re packing something with one specific use in mind, ask yourself? Is there any other time I may want this? If the answer is no, then you probably don’t want to be carrying it for the whole trip. Things rarely go exactly to plan and for all you know that specific activity that you had planned, may not even come to fruition. Instead, pay attention to the things you reach for daily. If you can, write down everything you use in a typical week at home, these are your essentials and a great place to start when you’re thinking about what to pack.

Lastly, and most importantly, remember that it is in your best interest to pack as little as you can when travelling from place to place. Extra baggage fees can be expensive and large bags can be awkward and cumbersome to move around with. So, if you overpack you may not only find your trip costing more, but you may even notice yourself travelling less. Finding out that those spontaneous trips just work out way too expensive and challenging to justify. Not only that but the more you pack, the more you’ve got to lose and the more you risk getting broken. Take it from me, when you’re travelling things get lost, things get stolen and things break, no matter how careful you think you’re being. The less you pack the less you must keep track of and the more you can just enjoy the experience, rather than worrying about your belongings.

After all, that’s what travelling is all about, the experience. So, pack with purpose, and remember, when you’re travelling, less REALLY does mean more!