There’s Something Cleansing About Minimalism and Travel

It’s freeing, isn’t it? Something quite peculiar happens when we start cleaning up and getting rid of things that we don’t really need, downsizing, and reevaluating what what’s truly of value or necessity when we travel. It’s by no coincidence that countless numbers of people have found that there’s something cleansing about minimalism and travel. The two go effortlessly hand-in-hand.

Of course minimalism is the hot commodity these days – sparking topic after topic on things like “one-bag travel,” “essentials packing lists,” or “see the world without weighing yourself down.” People have clearly discovered that if you aren’t focused on the “stuff” you carry along the journey, then you’re absolutely free to roam and absorb as much as you want until your heart is content.

The act of purging out items that we hardly use when we’re exploring, and are frankly cluttering up our lives in general, absolutely liberates us. But it’s more than just freeing in a physical, tangible sense. When we remove “things” that have little to no importance, not only is our physical being and space opened up again, but a highly psychological and spiritual uplift seem to accompany that new found freedom. In short, minimalism is a genuine way to evoke real catharsis in your life. And when coupled with travel, you liberate your person, your mind, and your spirit.

Minimalism and Travel – It’s Cathartic Even…

So, first of all, what is minimalism and why has it captivated the world? The buzzword minimal has invaded the mainstream, taken over social media threads, and become its own sort of renaissance in that so many people have turned to it as a complete lifestyle. It is sort of like a “rebirth” of ideas, but more so it’s as if people are returning to a nearly forgotten way of life, at least to the minds of the modernized world.

To be a minimalist is to get rid of everything that isn’t of necessity, or that doesn’t meet that standards of “does this make me truly happy?” and “does is sincerely add value to my existence?” Just as the days of old, people had what they needed to keep their lives in operation, and what “indulgent” items they did possess were much more cherished because they were rare, special, and valued.

In pairing this return to “the basics” with the travel lifestyle, naturally the doors to our previously caged world have been thrown wide open. You’re free to wander, to submerge yourself into new things, all without being tied down to things you don’t honestly need.

Those who travel enough know just how enriching of an experience that is in itself. You’ve opened yourself up to new peoples and cultures. You’ve learned a lot, and maybe you’ve even grown as a person from your explorations. So to do so with only yourself present, and not packing a bajillion things, could only logically enhance those experiences. You’ve removed attention from your belongings and onto your new surroundings – wholly focused and uninhibited.

As humans, innately when we “release” things that have been holding us back – whether we declutter our desk at work or clean out that hoarders den of a closet at home – however it comes, the outcome is almost always this sense of peace, accomplishment, self-pride, and freedom. This process is cathartic, and a natural, internal, mental, physiological process with spiritual affects accompanying it. Are you not happier once you’ve done this?

Certainly!

This same process of whittling down the items we carry in our bags before a trip produces the same sense of accomplishment. Not only are you proud of the great consideration you gave to what you actually need for your trip, but you’ve overcome a physical obstacle and you’ve challenged your mind to pay attention to what’s really important – the experiences you’ll have on your next big adventure. You’re heart will thank you for that one later.

So truly, yes, there’s something cleansing about minimalism and travel when they come together.

Now, A Challenge to You…

Letting go is hard. Most people are guilty of over packing or feeling like they have to take that dress or those extra pair of shoes. We want to be prepared, we want to be comfortable, and most of us want to look good while we travel too (guilty as charged!)

“But what if I need this extra… ?”

You don’t.

“But I really like to have my options… ”

I thought you were traveling to see the destination, not to have the destination see you?

We get it. We’re our own biggest enemies when it comes to these sorts of things. Innately we want to be taken care of, but consider this: you’re actually taking better care of yourself by paying MORE attention to the absolute necessities instead. If you cover what you MUST have first, is that not taking care of your needs, your actual needs?

There’s just something cleansing about letting go of manufactured things so you can go and experience real things. There’s somethings cleansing about minimalism and travel, because it’s about challenging a mindset that holds us back from truly immersing ourselves into our explorations.

So, we’ll leave you with one last mantra: Remove the distractions, take care of your needs, and experience what’s in front of you.

If you found this rambling helpful, check out more of our thoughts on Minimalist Travel and how to start packing for your next trip. Also see how to prepare for travel troubles if you’re headed off on an excursion soon!