In a world filled with material possessions and the constant pursuit of "more", living a life out of two suitcases may seem like an unattainable dream. However, for Max and I, our nomadic lifestyle has forced us to embrace minimalism. After living three years on the road, what we have come to find out is that living with fewer things is not just about shedding material possessions; it's about aligning our lives with our values.
Embracing Minimalism: Living with only the essentials is the core of a minimalist lifestyle. Letting go of unnecessary belongings has simplified our lives in ways we couldn't have imagined. Our focus has organically shifted from the accumulation of possessions and created space for deeper and more meaningful experiences. As we find ourselves in different locations and situations, opportunities now seem to pop up everywhere! By consciously choosing what we keep and what we let go of, we create space for what truly matters to us.
The Power of the "One Checked Bag": By limiting ourselves to living out of two suitcases, we are forced to carefully consider the items we choose to keep. This intentional curation allows us to streamline our belongings and avoid the overwhelming clutter that often accumulates. It actually encourages us to prioritize human connection, which comes in many forms like experiences, relationships, personal growth, and the pursuit of our passions.
The Benefits of Living with Less:
Freedom of Mobility: We have become highly mobile and situationally adaptable. We are not tied down by excessive possessions or the burden of managing lots of things. This freedom allows us to explore new opportunities, travel easily, and embrace our location-independent lifestyle.
Enhanced Focus: We've found that since we removed the distractions of excess material possessions, our minds have become less cluttered and we have more mental space to pursue meaningful endeavors, personal growth, and cultivate deeper relationships. We've been able to channel our energy and attention in a more focused and productive way toward our passions and goals. For Max, who has ADHD, this removal of distractions has been an especially powerful gift.
Reduced Stress and Financial Burden: Owning fewer possessions means less to worry about and maintain. With fewer material obligations, we can redirect our energy and resources toward experiences that truly enrich our lives. Also? Buying less stuff obviously leads to financial savings. Just sayin...
For anyone considering a life on the road, we'd suggest careful planning and organization. Here are some practical tips we have discovered:
Adopting a capsule wardrobe approach: Select versatile clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched to create various outfits.
Utilizing technology: Embrace digital platforms to minimize the need for physical copies of books, documents, and media.
Prioritizing quality over quantity: Invest in durable, multipurpose items that will stand the test of time.
Embracing minimalism in other areas: Extend the principles of minimalism beyond physical possessions to digital clutter, commitments, and time management.
Letting go to make space for new things: For example when it's time to replace worn out sneakers it's easy to save the old pair justifying that it will come in handy for that time that it's raining and you don't care if your shoes get dirty. Our motto is when you get a new pair of shoes, the old pair you are replacing has to go.
We know that living a life out of two suitcases is not for everyone. For us it has brought a sense of freedom, simplicity, and purpose. Perhaps there's an opportunity to curate your life, nomadically like us or in some other way altogether. Prioritize what matters to you! You only live once! Take a moment to reflect on what brings you joy and fulfillment and chat with us in the comments below!