Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means YBC® will earn a small commission if you happen to make a purchase. Thanks for the support.
I’m a pretty seasoned traveler at this point, but Ashley has packing light down pat. She just arrived in Greece for the tail end of our yoga retreat, and we’re heading to Bolzano together for the Personal Growth and Yoga Retreat this weekend. All she brought was a backpack and a carry-on suitcase for three weeks away from home, so she’s sharing a few of her tips for dropping the excess baggage today! Maybe I’ll try to channel her when I pack for our retreat in Costa Rica next month. Leave her some love in the comments! xo - Candace
Woot woot! I couldn’t be more excited to be spending this time in Greece and Italy. I’ve traveled a bit before, but mostly in Asia and both these destinations are firsts for me. After Candace and I finish up in Bolzano, my mom is meeting me for a few more days of exploring Italy, and I’m really looking forward to us creating some memories together.
As excited for these excursions as I am, we all know travel can be quite stressful. Especially international travel is tough on our bodies; being seated for long periods of time, sleep deprived, with less than great food options in a tube full of open mouth coughers is taxing on immune systems and mindsets. Beyond that, I think people often pack their trips (because we don't give ourselves time off very often) full of must-sees and to-dos, and sooner or later the itineraries and expectations override the experience of getting away and being somewhere new. I’m guilty of it too, and when traveling for work, you can’t really avoid it. But after lugging a rolling suitcase through the muddy pothole-filled streets of Indonesia, then reading this book and trying round two with just a backpack, I’ve noticed dropping the excess baggage can do wonders for stress management on the road.
I always have my Pacsafe backpack with me because I love its safety features, pockets and comfy straps. (I can’t find the exact one I have, got it ages ago, but this backpack is similar.) This trusty sidekick has been everywhere with me, from India to Cambodia, China to Thailand, and I keep it with me on the plane as I pack it with my valuables and things I reach for mid-flight:
wallet and passport
laptop
cell phone
chargers
noise cancelling headphones
snacks
water bottle (an eco-friendly option and saves money on buying bottles in the airport)
book and/or journal (I brought this one to read.)
eye mask and/or neck pillow (because economy class isn’t always equipped for naps)
and since I didn’t check a bag this flight, a clear bag of travel size liquids (makeup, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, the usual)
toothbrush - On long haul trips, being able to brush your teeth makes you feel human again.
Tips to save space: Roll your clothes and stuff socks and underwear inside shoes.
On travel days, I always wear a couple of cardigans - that’s right, a couple. Planes are always cold to me, and I like options. A scarf and easy to remove shoes are also essential for quick security passes and snuggling up on the plane.
In my suitcase, I brought my new tennis shoes with no holes in them (ha! I’m not much for shopping.). I feel super cool in these, and since my mom sent me the recommendation, I’m pretty sure we’ll be twinning in Italy. I also packed another pair of flats, boots, a jacket, a few Mantra Box® items to help with TSA travel regulations, and pieces I can layer and mix and match. It’s not three weeks of new outfits, by any means, but people do laundry all over the world. I’ll either book an AirBnb with a washing machine, pay to have it sent out, or I’ve even been known to do some bathtub laundry in my day (my go-to method at Namaslay® YTT in Thailand). I brought:
2 sets of pjs
2 pairs of jeans
1 pair of leggings
2 pairs of yoga pants
1 pair of shorts
3 tank tops
3 t-shirts
2 sweaters
socks and undies
Toss in a small bag with my hairbrush, ponytail holders, bobby pins, and I’m pretty much set! I forgot to pack my power converter and bathing suit, but no worries. The greatest part of traveling light is knowing that whatever you need you can likely find on the road. I stopped in a shop in Athens to pick up a converter, and we’ll see if I even have use for a bathing suit this trip. I’m not above wearing a sports bra and shorts to save a couple bucks, but if I buy a bathing suit, I get something practical and a souvenir in one purchase.
Are you traveling anywhere soon? Can you imagine squeezing all you need into a carry-on for your trip? I dare you to try, and post a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #ybcyogis, so I’ll be sure to see it. If you don’t have any travel plans in your future, let’s make that happen! Join us in Costa Rica next month, or apply to our next Namaslay® YTT in Greece! Happy trails!