Traveling Will Show Us What We Value

The idea of a minimalist lifestyle can seem too difficult and too extreme for many. Yet, we have all done it before. Every time you travel.

Some talk about how they have a use for every last thing in the house or the common expression, “I’ll save that, just in case I need it I someday.”

It is an easy trap to fall into. We think we need to save all these things for the future to hopefully use them someday. Except, nine times out of ten the day to use them never comes.

Traveling

I love the process and act of traveling. I pack up two bags with me, a suitcase and a backpack. I have learned I hate feeling disorganized on trips, looking for the right charging cord, or rifling through the entire suitcase to find one extra sock. By packing less there is more room in my bags.

When there is more room everything is accessible and neat.

When I get to the hotel or Airbnb it is clean and simple. Dare I say, minimal? There is only what we need and nothing else. We packed along only the things we felt most valuable to us.

Loving What I Have

When I’m on the road at a hotel I have only the clothes I need, my favorite most comfortable ones, and a few activities that bring me the most value. I carry my bullet journal, a book (or more on my Kindle), and a small speaker.

Without the distraction of any chores, cleaning up, or stress, I can focus on getting lost in a good book, listening to new music, or writing.

I often hear people express how much they love hotels for a similar reason. It is a break from their homes, the stress, the chores, and the things that surround them. Unfortunately, too many people don’t realize they can make their own homes feel this way too.

Start Today

Feeling overwhelmed by things can stop today. The end goal is worthwhile. The peace and calm that comes are worth the effort right now.

If we took some time to reduce the things we have down to what we really value and appreciate we could recreate that calm hotel feeling at home.

There are many strategies for determining what to keep and what to get rid of. My suggestion is to consider what you would want to bring along with you on a trip.

Use this mindset to pick out your favorite clothes, books, activities, and make those the focus. Every item you remove that doesn’t add value will create more time and energy to focus on the things that do matter.

Pack a suitcase and bag of your favorite things, look around and see how the rest of the stuff maybe doesn’t matter all that much if it didn’t make the cut.

Adopt the travel mindset for decluttering and see what you value.