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Packing for a Family Vacation as a Minimalist

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto

Chances are, if you’re perusing the site, you too live a minimalist and intentional lifestyle – or you’re trying to head in that direction! With summer upon us, many people are planning their family vacations. While summer vacations are the perfect way to reconnect as a family and make new memories, they can also come with some stress. If you want to ensure you’ve got all your bases covered without an overflowing army of luggage, keep reading on how to maintain minimalism while preparing for your family’s getaway.

 

Everyday Essentials 

One of the first things on your list should be your family’s everyday essentials. When you start with requirements, from medications, supplements, pacifiers, or SPF during the summer, you can clearly see where you need to pare down. Say your child sleeps with a white noise machine at home – download a white noise app instead.

Some essentials may be left at home, while others will make or break the trip. Writing a list of things you will use daily and packing it first is an essential step in traveling light instead of throwing in everything and the kitchen sink. Abandon the idea of “just in case” because if you do end up needing something that is not on your essential list, chances are, if you truly need it while you’re out of town, you can find it. 

 

Carefully Coordinate 

Perhaps you and your family are already dressing in some version of capsule wardrobes. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, capsule wardrobes are composed of items that can all work together. When you pack pieces that can make multiple outfits, you save space in your luggage and cut down on decision fatigue when it comes to what you and your kiddos are wearing. Basics like two pairs of shorts, one dress, four tops, and a skirt that can all mix and match are ideal. 

 

Know Where To Double 

There are instances where it’s a good idea to double up or bring extra certain items, even as a minimalist family. Especially if you’re heading somewhere like the beach, you’ll want multiples of certain items. While one coverup will easily suffice for the entire trip, you will want several pairs of swim trunks, shapewear swimwear, and towels. Sand is nearly impossible to get out, and nobody likes putting on a cold and damp swimsuit from earlier.

Protect your comfort by doubling up on such items. Other items it’s good to bring extra are things that would make your trip stressful if you lost, like sunglasses, pacifiers, or phone chargers. These things are easily lost, so they wouldn’t fall into the “buy if needed” section, as mentioned earlier. 

 

Ditch Your “Fantasy” Self 

When becoming a minimalist, you likely had to come to terms with letting go of your “fantasy self” items. These items you had acquired because you had a vision that you may someday use them or wear them, but they weren’t authentic to who you are. Be realistic about the type of vacation you and your family are going on and your needs.

Do you need to pack heels or a fancy dress if you continually keep things casual on your trip? Do you need to bring a small cooler that will take up a ton of space in your trunk on the road trip if you know you guys always eat out when traveling? Sure, luck favors the prepared, but don’t bog yourself or your luggage down with items you know you’re not going to use but think you “should” have because it’s a family vacation.

 

Conclusion 

Family vacations are more about making memories and reconnecting away from your daily responsibilities. Getting out of town should be about those things, not stressing about overflowing luggage. Implement minimalism beyond what you pack. Be intentional with what you add to your vacation itinerary. Don’t overwhelm yourself or the rest of your family by filling the days with excursions or events – getting away is about relaxing.

Apply the same tendencies toward what you bring home from your trip. Your children don’t need a souvenir from multiple shops, instead, wait to pop into a souvenir shop on the last day and let each person pick something they want to bring home. There are valuable life lessons for your kids to learn from watching you travel this way; life’s about the journey, right? Happy Trails!

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