A chat with a guy in a Chiang Mai cafe about his 'one bag' rule

I was working from a cafe in Chiang Mai last month, and this guy sat next to me with just a small backpack. We got talking about gear, and he said he has a strict rule: if it doesn't fit in his 28-liter bag, he doesn't bring it. He showed me his whole setup, including a tiny laptop and three shirts. He said, 'Every extra thing is a choice you pay for, in money and in stress.' That hit me hard because I'd just paid a huge fee for my checked bag. I've been trying to cut down since then, and it's actually made moving between cities way easier. Has anyone else made a big switch to less stuff and stuck with it?

2 comments

2 Comments

mason4171d ago

Used to think I needed more gear, but that exact mindset shift saved me a ton on baggage fees.

allen.amy1d ago

Yeah, that "mindset shift" @mason417 mentioned is exactly what a travel blog I read keeps pushing.