How to pack a minimum of things on vacation?
This post was prepared as part of a thematic photo project together with by photographer Katerina Cherepanova... I express my deep gratitude for your cooperation and ideological spirit Katya! Thank you for the submitted photos!
Several years ago, I also took a lot of unnecessary things and, as it turns out later on a trip, unnecessary things. Over time, I learned to take only the essentials, and during the off-season I go on trips to Europe or Russia only with a backpack. I'll tell you below with an example of how this happens!
So, on my April trip to the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria and Italy (about 20 days), my things easily fit into a backpack. I also went to St. Petersburg in May for 12 days with a backpack. Travels of 3-4 days duration I go unconditionally with a backpack. For example, now I have returned from September Kazan, where all my things were also placed in a backpack!
I want to convince you right away that a VERY LOT of things can fit in a backpack, the main thing is to follow a few simple but important rules! So, let's go - how to properly pack your suitcase or backpack?
Bathroom accessories
The most important rule to adhere to is never do not take full-sized products(shampoos, balms, shower gels, etc.). These products add the most weight to your suitcase! Many people buy such funds while on vacation, and in principle, this is also a way out. But not for me. Firstly, I am used to using certain products that may not be in the store. Secondly, the first thing I want to do when arriving / arriving at my destination is to take a shower, and not look for a store in order to buy shampoo, balm, etc. Therefore, I pour my favorite products into special miniature tanks from Ikea... Toothpaste, soap - I also take in miniature.
For my travel hair, I use an unconditional trio: a compact Tangle Teezer comb, an elastic band and a hair band that I use when washing and applying makeup.
Care products
The treatment for the care products is the same as for the bathroom accessories. I also carry face / hand cream, body balm in miniatures, if their packaging is large for my reasons.
Cosmetics
Since I am talking about the example of a trip in the off-season, then during this period, of course, there is a special tribute to cosmetics (going to the sea, for example, I keep it to a minimum). From cosmetics I take the basic products that I use every day. If the packaging is bulky, I try to replace it with another product. If this is a foundation in a heavy package, I pour a small amount into a miniature.
As an accent from decorative cosmetics, I most often use lipsticks and lip pencils, so I take two / three variations on my trip - for everyday make-up and make-up on the way out.
Clothes and shoes: 5 important rules
We got to the hardest part - collecting clothes! My minimum set of clothes that can fit in a backpack usually consists of two pairs of jeans / trousers, a pair of light jumpers / sweatshirts, two / three tops / T-shirts, and one dress. There are several important rules at work in collecting clothes.
First rule: in order to collect the suitcase correctly, take only those things that are easy to combine with each other. For every thing that I take with me, there is an unspoken rule - if this thing is combined with others in at least 3 images, then it suits me, and I take it with me! For example, a denim dress that can be worn both as a dress and as a shirt, tied at the waist.
An exception can be made only by a little black dress (well, or any other - according to your taste). Although, even this black dress can be easily tucked up and worn like a top with jeans!
Second rule when choosing clothes: give preference to lighter things, and leave the heavy ones at home. Sometimes I am cunning: the choice of light, non-bulky things allows me to additionally take another dress or jumper)
Third rule: When packing, roll them up so they take up less space!
Fourth rule touches the shoes. I only take comfortable shoes and they should be combined with all the items I choose. Most often these are two pairs of shoes: comfortable sneakers and some kind of boots that can be worn with both a dress and jeans.
Fifth rule, also related to shoes: when I travel in heavier shoes, I put lighter ones in my backpack! Both pairs should be comfortable!
Accessories
As an accessory, I take a small bag and a fabric shopping bag with me, which fold easily and perfectly into a backpack. During the day when traveling, I move with a backpack, and in the evening, when I go out, I will take a small bag. Shopping bag - in case of unexpected purchases.
Among the must-have accessories in my backpack there will always be one snood or stole, as well as a light scarf with which I cover my head when entering a church / monastery. Such a scarf always travels with me and takes up a gram of weight from the force.
Like any girl, I dilute the images with jewelry, so when traveling with a minimum amount of clothes, bright, unusual accessories will always save you. Recently, I prefer brooches
Or it could be a collar / necklace. I also take my sunglasses with me.
Gadgets
The minimum set of gadgets on my journey is a light Panasonic Lumix GF6 mirrorless camera, an iPhone 5s and an old Transcend player with your favorite music.
Important things
One of the important details - glasses for vision, these are my second eyes, without them nowhere. Also in this category I include a wallet with cash and cards, a USB flash drive for photos. You can always find a notebook with a pen in my backpack. while traveling, I always write down the most important information in a notebook, which I collect bit by bit for a blog, I keep booklets, tickets for memory.
It seems that I have listed so many things here that all this will not fit into a backpack! But I assure you, it is not so. The basic content that I showed today as an example fits freely into my backpack. The main thing is to train yourself and reassure yourself that these things will really be enough for you!
I hope my experience was at least a little useful to you! Enjoy your travels with a light suitcase!