Travel Light | The Minimalists Ep. 406

The Minimalists speak with author and traveler Light Watkins about traveling with less and letting go of distractions while traveling. Watch all 2 hours of episode 406 on The Minimalists Private Podcast: / theminimalists
Discussed in this episode:
How can I let go of my assumptions, prejudices, and expectations while traveling? (01:50)
How can I pack lightly with two young children? (19:33)
Should I give my kids the choice about what they do with their stuff? (32:39)
How do you manage anxiety that you have despite knowing worrying isn’t necessary? (41:29)
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[@TheMinimalistsPodcast]

How do you pack for a trip?

[@karajade83]

A pre-packed wash bag with my most used toiletries. Also, I rarely pack whole bottles of supplements; I'll count out how many I need for the time away, with about 10 capsules extra in case of an emergency/delay. As for clothes, I roll them to make best use of space and I never pack anything that creases badly. I don't pack books or anything for entertainment. I dislike e-books but make use of other people's books or street libraries. If I require paperwork, I'll digitise. Shoes - black boots work with everything. Finally, I often leave my laptop and DSLR camera at home because a smart phone does all I need most of the time.

[@jeno264]

Lightly. Never bigger than a cabin bag 😁💖

[@catmandoo3735]

I traveled across Scandinavia by plane, train, ferry, and riverboat with a Rick Steve's collapsable back pack which contained plastic vacuum packed bags that helped to condense my clothing, along with a small empty daypack for sidetrips once I reached a specific destination. All my toiletries and what few accessories I needed fit very well in one of the many compartments on this backpack. I never had to worry about it getting lost in transit. I've had it over 15 years now so it's durable and has been the best purchase I made in regards to my travel needs.

[@robertm.9633]

Whatever I’m wearing +2. A small dry bag serves as a mini laundry bag/tactical washing machine. Basic toiletries, power converter/charger for wireless headphones/mobile. Bag is a backpack w/detachable sling bag for walks. No check bags or hassles.

[@taracochrane2229]

@@karajade83po

[@ericamciver1293]

I really appreciate T.K's wisdom. What a blessing he is. It was also great to hear Ryan's perspective. ❤

[@fatboyannie]

I wish I can hear TK every day!

[@paigalina129]

You are so right, TK truly is a blessing.

[@PSmith-ie9jx]

This was a beautiful discussion. Although I'm behind on things, I haven't seen Ryan for a long time. Is TK replacing him permanently?

[@ericamciver1293]

@PSmith-ie9jx No, Ryan moved to Montana, and he is still part of the podcast.

[@PSmith-ie9jx]

@@ericamciver1293 Glad to hear that!

[@natashyas4149]

I love Ryan and Josh's friendship

[@ArtyAntics]

When I was 16 I took business studies at school, where I learnt 2 things that later saved my life. 1. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs & 2. Opportunity cost. If I spend my resources on something I don’t need, I don’t have resources left for what I do need. I had a breakdown and was bed bound. I was so depressed I was planning to die but I remembered my classes and curiosity got me. I wondered if life could be bearable if I had less to deal with. I did some research so I could be smart about what energy I spent on each of my needs, but my focus was simplifying what was essential only. I did a lot experimenting in those 3-5 years. I think that was my way of gamifying. It helped me get to know myself, and it made my life bearable again, now I’m finding things I love too. This podcast made me think of opportunity cost when you were talking about teaching your kids 😊 thanks for the reminder.

[@karajade83]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I suffer from multiple chronic illnesses and a minimalist lifestyle is an absolute necessity when my physical, emotional and financial resources are so limited.

[@ArtyAntics]

@@karajade83 multiple illness here too, it's hard. I'm blessed that we are better off financially now. But we never would have got there if I hadn't changed. We are now debt free apart from our mortgage. I hope things can get easier for you

[@winterrose91]

For kids suggestion Dora, the Explorer goes on adventures and only takes her backpack and has all she needs .

[@theowensthree]

You are so right!!¡

[@jainthorne4136]

I have travelled light for decades. It happened totally by accident. In 1979 my husband and I were both Army officers and we flew back from Germany where we were assigned to get married in the States. When flying back to Germany the airlines lost our luggage. It was wonderfully liberating to get on and off the plane, trains and ferry with only our tiny carryon bags. The luggage eventually showed up but by then we were hooked. Ever since then we took every plane trip with just one carryon bag. It's more than possible to do if you have the right mindset. You may think you need your favorite lotion, shampoo and toothpaste but we've had so much fun over the years shopping for those items in the local stores in foreign countries. I just returned from 10 days in Paris. I packed enough socks and underwear for a clean pair every day but other than that I simply wore tops and dresses more than one day. They didn't get dirty so no need to only wear them once. And if I ever truly ran out of clean clothes, then I would have the experience of finding a local laundromat and chilling out while getting clean clothes. Or maybe just buy a new top or new dress instead. As for how we experience where we are, we make a point of scheduling no more than one "tourist" thing per day and count on the rest of the time being spent wandering on whims, relaxing over meals or a drink, enjoying a park. We don't feel a loss at not seeing all the important sights. We spend the time as it suits us. One of my favorite memories of this past trip was wandering a tiny quiet street in a Paris neighborhood and stopping on a small bench to relax. Soon two women came walking down the street with purpose and stopped right next to me to measure a table that had been put out by the trash can. They measured and talked and even involved me in the qualities and possibilities of the "found" table. (I speak French.) It was a memory that would have been missed if I had been rushing for tourist sight to tourist sight. Life is delightful.

[@Oursimplelife907]

I learned to give up things & hold onto memories when I was 8 yrs old and my Mom and 5 kids moved across the country via airplane (Ak to PA) and I was told I could only bring 1 play item. I chose a rag doll my Mom made for me, (which a few yrs later was lost ( with everything else, in a house fire). I am very appreciative of the lesson learned thru these experiences. Things don’t hold value, we put value on things in our minds & then are held captive to them.

[@catmandoo3735]

I think Josh experienced his first earthquake yesterday. This is where minimalism really pays off. The less you have, the less there is that can get broken when it falls off a shelf or out of the kitchen cupboards. I was in the '71 Sylmar earthquake and while we didn't lose our house, we lost a lot of the contents. I hope all is well at the Milburn household.

[@theowensthree]

We travel fulltime as a family of 3, it's amazing and we worldschool our daughter. We are minimalists! We each travel with only one backpack per person. Living with less (even just a backpack) you realize how much stuff you truly "need" I am so grateful! My life is forever changed Memories and Experiences with my family of 3, over THINGS! 💯

[@alanbirkner1958]

We each take a roller overnight bag and a zippered tote or small backpack. We've been gone as long as 15 days without checking a bag. We're in our 70's, so there's meds, and some extras. We've seen people who can't take public transportation because they have so much stuff. Tina, Al's wife

[@plentinough7222]

I’m almost there with a size appropriate carry on and a small backpack/purse. It’s so liberating when maneuvering through airports and airplanes. Now if I could just do this in my home. 🖖🏻

[@bradgantt1818]

Great epsisode! I'm fortunate to have Light as a teacher and mentor of mine. Joshua and TK, I really appreciated the thoughtful questions and you guys giving the space for equally thoughtful answers. Light, insightful as always. Thank you!

[@ren8240]

A practical tip for travel with young kids is to pack clothing made from quick dry fabrics so if you need to hand wash outfits they will be dry in a few hours. Also, invest in overall/coveralls in a waterproof art smock type fabric as it'll keep their clothing clean & dry for way longer & the outer coverall layer can be rinsed out or hosed off & dried at the end of the day!

[@madeleine363]

I liked the first question but felt like it wasn't actually answered. The viewer sounded like they were asking for strategies to know what to bring/not bring, rather than how to engage children in the packing process

[@nae4830]

It always feel like they don’t answer the actual question/s.

[@sharminrahman8038]

I would like to know the traning process or rehearsel process that TK goes thru, he is just a walking book of amazing one liners. everything he says is tweetable.

[@GenK1991]

I was so excited when that parent with two kids posed the question on how to travel lightly with the kids because I have kiddos myself around the same age. Only to be completely baffled by the response from your guest 😂😂😂 a one year old doesn’t need to meditate in order to pack lightly 😂😂😂LOL

[@marilynthomson9564]

Totally agree, the answer wasn’t applicable to the question is how I felt.

[@cindynevels2053]

Yeah, it wasn’t clear that these guys ever changed a diaper - or had a clue about all the diaper paraphernalia, and baby stuff in general. 🍼

[@twinning9077]

Yep. It's so hard to find ppl who can really give good tips about traveling light with toddlers....diapers, wipes, meds, outfits, car seats, strollers, portable crib.... etc this is reality for those who travel with kids regardless of what your muse tells you😂😂😂

[@brendamiranda3732]

@@twinning9077sounds almost impossible to pack light with babies/toddlers/kids. Especially because they can get dirty so often. Maybe washing their items every other night would help to bring less? IDK 🤔

[@theresaclemons7598]

Geez, we are talking about babies here; First make sure that you have all you need for their health and safety. If that means an extra bag while they are small; so be it! Save the lessons for when they are old enough to understand and appreciate them;

[@GenK1991]

Thats what I was thinking!!

[@lindseyoneal4602]

I have a trip to Germany later this year and I'm really hoping to be present, calm, and grateful. I definitely want to pack lightly, but I usually get too excited and always bring too much. Hopefully, I won't make that mistake this time around.

[@amandasymon4363]

Miss Ryan 😩

[@natashyas4149]

The things you think you need clutter the life you want to have

[@FisherOfMen705]

Living your day backwards...genius 👍

[@user-kp3jk3pv8f]

Check out Her Packing List for a course on handbag travel: traveling with a 12L handbag

[@briannab5296]

I'd love to take the course but it's too pricey for my budget.

[@SandraLemenaite]

😂😂😂 this was so insightful and hilarious. I love you guys!!!

[@saracaldwell1738]

I pack a 30 liter backpack.

[@sylmanyeki9323]

Every time I fly, I have only a small carryon and TSA is always puzzled by my lack of many bags lol

[@jainthorne4136]

Exactly. I also don't take anything that needs to be put in a small ziplock bag. I enjoy getting to my new location, especially if it's a foreign country, and stopping the first day to shop for shampoo and liquids at a local market.

[@theowensthree]

We see the check bag lines and are always amazed at how LONG they are! We just zoom right to security with our backpack. We also don't have to roll up quite as early

[@evatoon984]

When my son was about 4, he packed his own bag, tooth brush, deodorant, stuffed animal, pajamas, those were his essentials 😂 kids don’t need much

[@jainthorne4136]

Your 4 year old needed deodorant??

[@dawnmireles2912]

August 22, 2023 Interesting!

[@Loozpatienz]

In my opinion, a true minimalist doesn't need to travel half-way around the world to connect with others. Don't misunderstand me, I think travel can be done right, but most do it in a way that abundantly wastes energy, resources, causes pollution, etc. And it is often done selfishly, to satisfy some need to "experience", as if that makes our actions justified and not just another form of GREED. If you really want to start thinking like a minimalist, you would consider how each of your actions would impact the Earth's ecosystems when multiplied by all 8 billion of us on this planet. The sum of our combined actions add up quickly. The best way to start a revolution is to start growing some of your own food. Gardeners need to stay home. Read a good book if you want to experience a new place. Problem solved! ;)

[@magpie3571]

Josh, your wife IS your girlfriend!

[@marylut6077]

Josh, must you appropriate National Girlfriend Day? First, it’s a fake day, and 2nd, you don’t have a girlfriendI hope)

[@michellecd4722]

I thought he didn't legally marry his girlfriend but started calling her his wife? Must have missed a few things, lol.

[@therealjenniferrr]

*finds out Ryan died of dysentery* Tell me you're an elder millennial without telling me you're an elder millennial.

[@blueshattrick]

You're like an Anti-Prepper