What’s the one thing you constantly have to lug around with you everywhere you go? Checking out of your hotel room and onto your next destination? Packing up the car for a long peaceful road trip? Your heavy suitcase. The giant, heavy, awkward suitcase that you can barely lift. Even when you’re not traveling, it’s a pain to lug that thing around.
Packing for a vacation can be a lot of work and stressful. You want to make sure you have everything you need (for the sake of selfies for the ‘gram of, of course) without overpacking and being bogged down by a bunch of stuff you don’t need.
So, why put yourself in the heavy-lifting, back-breaking situation when you can pack light and still look great on your trip? Here are a few compelling reasons to ditch the heavy suitcase and travel lightly.
Improves Mobility
You’re just about to miss the bus, you see it in the distance, but you can’t run because your suitcase is too cumbersome. If you had packed lightly, you could have easily sprinted for the bus and saved yourself the headache of waiting an hour for the next one. Check out this guide for taming migraines while traveling.
Packing light gives you the mobility to do things on the spur of the moment, like taking that unplanned detour or changing your itinerary at the last minute.
You’ll spend money on things while you’re on your trip anyway, so why spend extra on baggage fees? Airlines make a lot of money just by charging for luggage. With carry-on bags you won’t have to worry about lost or damaged contents, nor will you have to deal with excess baggage costs.
You are the only person who will handle it, so your luggage will be undamaged when it arrives. As a result of this, baggage will last longer. There will be no more need for shrink-wrapping services or tipping bellhops. Since you’ll be carrying your suitcase, you won’t even require a porter to carry luggage for you.
You’ll Be More Zen
Packing light helps to declutter your mind and space. Having too many things with you on your trip can be overwhelming, and when your space is cluttered, so is your mind.
You’ll have an easier time relaxing and enjoying yourself when you’re not worrying about keeping track of a bunch of stuff. From ‘where’s my red cap’ to ‘I’m glad I only brought one,’ you’ll be able to focus on the present moment and create memories that will last a lifetime.
After all, vacations are about kicking back and taking a load off.
Saves Your Precious Time
You won’t have to wait in line at the airport before your flight’s departure time to check a bag or wait for luggage drop-off counters to open. You won’t have to seek the proper baggage carousel or wait for your luggage to come.
You’ll never have to wait in line at the customer service desk to report missing or delayed baggage, and you won’t have to waste time shopping for replacement items if your luggage is lost or stolen. You will be out of there as quickly as possible.
Even the sound of not having to worry about any of that is music to our ears.
More Space for New Experiences and Things
You have more space for things you want to bring back from your trip when you travel lightly! There’s always someone back home waiting for a postcard or a new magnet for the fridge, so why not bring them back something special?
Of course, when you buy a whole lot of souvenirs, you’ll have to find a way to get them home somehow. Are you sure you want to spend the extra dollars on a new suitcase rather than that yummy Baskin Robbins ice cream you’ve been eyeing?
So, pack light and keep someplace free for your shopping haul.
You’re a Free Soul
Want to ride a bike for your airport transfer? Go for it! You can do just about anything when you’re not tied to a heavy suitcase. You can be more spontaneous when your hands are free, whether it’s exploring a new city on foot or taking the scenic route.
You can make changes to your itinerary at a whim in case there’s a case of an overbooked flight. Overbooked flights result in overflowing overhead compartments, and we all know how that goes. You won’t have to worry about checking in your luggage if you pack lightly. Maybe you can even opt for a free travel coupon to give up your seat.
Tips on Packing Light
Question of the day: what are the best tips for packing lightly?
To make the most of your travel experiences and save yourself some money and hassle, follow these tips for packing light:
- Wear your heaviest clothing on the plane. It will free up space in your luggage and make your travel more comfortable.
- Make a packing list and stick to it. It will help you avoid overpacking.
- Pack versatile clothing so you can wear them in different combinations.
- Use packing cubes to organize your clothing and maximize space.
- Bring along a scarf or sarong. You can use it as a towel, clothing, or even a blanket!
- Pack your essential toiletries in a small travel bag.
Takeaway
We can continue to add to this list, but you’ve got its gist. Now that you know the benefits of packing light and have some tips, your next step is to put them into action! Don’t get carried away, don’t overdo it, and most importantly, have fun!
Thanks for reading. Safe travels!