Every time I travel now, I practice taking less, with the idea that moving into a trailer is going to involve having a lot less than I have now. So for the business trip I’m on now (3 countries and 22 days), my suitcase is a 22-inch lightweight model from Eagle Creek (EC Lync series):
What did I bring on the trip?
- Two pairs jeans
- Five tops
- Puffy jacket
- Rain jacket
- Walking shoes (Lems)
- Running outfit + shoes + 1 extra t-shirt
- Pajamas, which also double for lounging in my room
- Socks, etc.
I’m now eight days into the trip, and honestly, I haven’t missed all the clothes I left back home. I was trying to figure out this morning exactly what is *in* my closet back home. As it turns out, the short answer is “things I don’t wear very much” combined with “things that aren’t multi-purpose” so they didn’t make the 22-day essentials list.
At home, I have more variety in my work clothes. At home, I have more options for lazing around: a favorite sweatshirt, some corduroy pants, and more t-shirts. Many more t-shirts. At home, I have the space so more clothes = less time doing laundry.
I can see that equation changing when I move into the trailer:
I’ve read up on capsule wardrobes, Steve Jobs’ turtleneck-and-jeans uniform, and using black as 95% of your wardrobe with 5% color accents. None of them seem to fit me. Maybe I’ll just go with the Konmari method: If it brings me joy, it stays. If it falls into “I kinda like it” category, it goes. Based on how well a small suitcase of clothes is working for this trip, there might be a lot more in the “gotta go” category when I get home.
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