Should you select travel minimalism, your first reward will be efficiency. When properly packed, rollies and their equivalents breeze through security, finding repose neatly above your seat. They follow you loyally from connection to connection and would never ask you to wait on them after a long flight.
But as you continue, you’ll also being to see that carry-on bags are carefree and impulsive. Should you opt to spend the day sightseeing before settling at your hotel, rolly tails behind you without any complaints. If you want to race to catch an earlier train, your single carry-on is ready to race on your whim.
And in reality, that single bag can even end up feeling luxurious. When you do unpack at your destination, you are free to stage your own high end boutique. With only a handful of impeccably selected items on the rack, your closet becomes a highly exclusive and elite event.
Post Script Answers to Anticipated Excuses
- “But I have Kids”
Get each of them their own carry-ons which they are capable of carrying themselves. School book bags are certainly acceptable. - “But I’m going to be gone for more than a week”
I spent a month studying abroad in Europe living out of a single carry-on. Trust me, if my shoe-loving soul can do it, anyone can.
Come back promptly for the essentials of wardrobe clusters, the key to wardrobe minimization.
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when i was 6, my parents took our family (all 8 of us, two of which were babies) to europe for 6 weeks with nothing but carry-ons. it’s totally do-able and makes traveling so much easier.
that being said, we are driving to utah in a few days and i know our car is going to be filled to the brim.
reachel, you are so right about everything always.
I agree, it is totally do-able. Why burden yourself with all the extras. If you really need something when you get there, you have a great excuse to go shopping!!
I can’t wait to see your suggestions! I’m headed for Italy next month on a 10 day trip and plan to only have 1 carry on! Help!
I only take one carry one but end up packing at the last minute and I’ve never been happy with my choices. Always something worn too much and things that never get touched. Can’t wait for this one!
As an avid world traveler I agree that packing lighter has its positive consequences. However, as the final days before a long trip approach, the to-do list grows longer and longer and time grows shorter and shorter. Packing into one small carry-on requires extreme and thorough planning. The time it takes to carefully plan out each and every days’ outfit along with shoes all while making accommodations for what-ifs is almost completely impractical (e.g., what if it rains, what if we hike/bike/run/swim, what if we decide to go to a fancy dinner, etc).
How does one pack enough photo ready outfits for a 2 week trip in less than an hour? I don’t yet believe it can be done.
Furthermore, a simple cost (planning time and stress from not having what you want) to benefit (lighter bag from baggage carousel/train to taxi) ratio will almost always prove the effort a waste.
Over the years I have come to accept that I am an uberpacker, along with the lovely Princess Camilla. (see delightful NY Times article)
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E1D7173EF936A35752C1A9639C8B63&sec=&spon=
I’ve done lots of traveling with lots of clothes and few clothes. I find dressing up (along with comfortable shoes, and a purse that crosses the body with room for a bottle of water, map, and small wrap)to always be appropriate. And cotton is the best, wash in the sink if needed!
You forgot to mention that your carry-on was expanded, and sometimes difficult to zip. But yes, everyone’s own bag pack it the way to go as Mother can’t remember everything even if she wants to.