Pack less and enjoy your travels more

When the airlines decided to start charging to check luggage, people had a hard time with the balancing act of traveling with only a carry-on but still wanting to pack everything they had in the past.  Christmas time was the worst. People actually thought they could carry on their personal stuff like clothes and toiletries AND all the presents they were bringing to family.  When  I say people, I'm talking about the maturity, not just a few here and there.

I learned from that experience, checking baggage wasn't so bad. Everyone else was avoiding it like the plague so there wasn't much on in the baggage claim area, making it super quick. I did my best to take less, but I was naïve and American. My whole perspective changed when I traveled to Europe. My mom had traveled overseas numerous times and her only advice/requirement was that I pack only a carry-on for our 16 day trip to Italy. I had no idea how one was to accomplish such a task but they don't call me "the pack master" for nothing.

With just a carry-on for the luggage, a traveler can catch a bus, train, or taxi without worry for the luggage. Transition time into the mode of transportation is cut down considerably. It's far less to keep track and therefore less stress that you left something God knows where. Another way to look at how little you truly need is to recognize the beauty of traveling. If you wear the same thing every day or rotate between two or three outfits, who's going to know? If they know, who's going to care?  If you're  visiting family and staying put for a while, you will have regular access to laundry. If your family is dissatisfied in the number of wardrobe changes you brought, do you care?

Only having 33 items in my wardrobe is a big advantage to packing light. I've got the mix and match to maximize concept down. Pinterest and YouTube have whole sections devoted to packing for a three week trip with just one carry-on.

You can do this. Less luggage means less backaches,  more mobility, less stress, and more time to enjoy your travels.