When I decided to become a nomad, I knew I had to stop overpacking. The days of arriving at an airport with over 50kg in 3 suitcases had to end for the sake of my bank account and my arms!

It wasn’t an easy task though. I packed and repacked my things many times, feeling hopeless that I wouldn’t make it.

I’m sure many people, especially women, can relate because we tend to want to bring our entire wardrobe with us, just in case.

I realized that the most reasonable and cheapest way to travel the world would be with only carry-on luggage, so I began my journey to adopt this new mindset.

But how do we change a long-lasting habit?

• Questioning its foundation – “Do I really need this or is it just an idea based on guesswork and instant gratification?”

*If you start answering this question before any purchase or important decision, you’ll make choices far more mindful and based on your true needs, rather than on the appeal of our capitalist and over-consumerist society.

• Looking for a better habit as a substitute (e.g., from books, videos, podcasts, etc.) – There are countless people out there sharing content and insight about the very thing you want to learn and apply. So check them out!

• Making practical changes toward this new habit – A simple decision helped me to apply the changes I wanted:

Buying these 3 items and making the commitment to use them all in my trip

• Taking our time to consolidate the new mentality/behavior – You may need a couple of attempts before you get it right, and some other trials to become an expert in the new habit. That’s ok, as long as you make progress over time.

After applying all these steps at my first destination, I’m quite happy with the first results.

I did travel only with 3 pieces of luggage (1 handbag, 1 carry-on, and 1 backpack) and it has been more than enough.

If you want to stop overpacking as well, check the videos below. They are a good start for this change.

Video 1 – Traveling with 2 pieces (1 carry-on and 1 backpack)

Video 2 – For super minimalist travelers (only 1 backpack)! 😮

For more insights on traveling, check the category “Suitcase“.

I hope this post helped you. If you have any questions or suggestions, leave a comment below. Your input is more than welcome.

👉 Are you ready to go deeper?