#one-bag

This is my new backpack! It matches my primary-based outfit, feels great, and has lots of pockets inside! Here’s the Amazon link for anyone interested!

My boyfriend received an internship in Portugal, and I can hardly be expected to go a few days without him, much less his whole 8 weeks overseas. For 3 weeks, I’m going to travel to Europe and see him each weekend I’m there. :)

So how am I going to do that with one little backpack? And why?

I’ve been interested in minimalism for almost 6 months now, and actually just presented a project on the topic as my rhetoric final. I’m looking forward to only have to carry around this little bag, not waiting for baggage claim, and having everything I need in one place.

Things that help:

I stopped using shampoo. Grotty! I have super oily hair. Grottier! I decided to use charcoal soap to absorb the oil. My hair, though a little drier, had no volume! I was told to stop using volumizing products, as they can actually weigh down hair. So I did. And my hair is poofy as ever, with only charcoal soap and a comb! No blow-drying, no bristly brush, no mousse, no powder. So I’m only taking a bar of soap, a case, and a wood comb to Europe.

I don’t wear makeup or jewelry. I mean, being a natural pizza face (oily hair, oily face, c’est la vie), I use foundation to cover blemishes. But since I’ve cut down on soda, my sugar intake has been lowered exponentially and I no longer get bulging whiteheads as a result. I also have contacts, but am opting not to bring them, so as not to bring the case and solution bottle. (I wear glasses.)

Everywhere I’m staying has laundry services and towels. Whether Air BnB or hostel, I’m covered for washing the few clothing articles I’m bringing and I can use their towels as well.

I made a capsule wardrobe. It consists of:

2 red shirts

2 white shirts

Blue jeans

Thin grey jeans

Swimsuit

Red hoodie

Grey jacket (Yes, 2 jackets. England be cold, yo.)

Grey tennis shoes

Flip-flops for the hostel shower

I’m not bringing a laptop. I considered renting a tablet for the trip, but we’ll see.

Those things are what really allow for me to travel so lightly.

So, without further ado, here is the list of what I am bringing:

Capsule wardrobe mentioned before

Socks and undergarments

Charcoal soap for hair and body

BPA-free, partially-recycled soap travel case

Bamboo toothbrush with travel cap

Travel toothpaste

Pen

Wood comb

Menstrual cup

Cell charger

External charger

Voltage converter (European and UK)

Passport and case

Hand sanitizer

Homemade deodorant in a 2oz jar

And in my jacket pocket and backpack’s side pockets:

Cellphone

Carmex

Headphones

Hankie

Wattle bottle (rare refills in Europe- drink water, y’all)

Boarding passes