2 Years of Traveling the World with Just a Backpack: An ‘Accidental Minimalist’ Tale

It’s one of those moments in life where you’d say “enough is enough,” leave a full-time job, and travel the world.

That moment happened to me a few years ago.

It’s the time of uncertainty. Upon getting my doctorate at mid-30s, having nowhere to go because of the academic job market, I decided to travel the world with the limited amount of cash that I had…which meant that I would have to travel super light to be able to get on the low-cost flights without paying extra and possess the fewest items so that I could roam without a fixed plan and nothing valuables attracting attention from thieves.

So, as a full-time hoarder before that, I had to change everything — from the mindset to the action. Here’re the list:

1. Bigger isn’t always better. Traveling with low-cost airlines meant that I could only take up to 7 kgs (15.4 lbs) with me. I had a badass laptop (with 16" screen) which would take up to 2.5 kgs if I were to take it on the trip with me (meaning less room for important items). So, I traded it for almost a netbook which was less than 1 kg in weight. The smaller size also attracted less attention and was less prone to break since there wasn’t many moving parts. I didn’t think I could live with such a small screen and a less powerful processor, but it all worked out well. In fact, I have also gained the power of being patient and being a single-tasking person. Wallah, a slow computer has helped me regain my focus and therefore my productivity.
2. The water bottle is both the money and life-saver. We all need to drink a lot of water every day. Even though a bottle of water isn’t expensive, but trust me it adds up. I began to learn to carry around a water bottle with me, which saved me an enormous amount of money daily. Tap water was free almost everywhere I went. I often just stepped into a bar and restaurant and asked politely for a refill and had never been denied. In some places, natural spring water was available fresh and cold — much nicer than drinking anything at all from a plastic bottle from a convenience store. This water bottle saved my life. I went from a “not-so-practical” one (and quite heavy) to a perfect one (that I could open with one hand and would not spill inside my bag if placed upside down). Weight mattered, so I gave the old ones away as soon as I got a new one that worked better. Since the amount of space in the backpack was limited, so I had to choose to carry just one best water bottle.
3. Wash clothes daily. Since I only had room for up to 2 pieces of all my clothing items (one for jeans since it’s heavy), I never spoiled any opportunities to wash clothes. They dried well in an air-conditioned room. Or, for me, I tied them around the outside of backpack when I moved to quicken the drying process, which worked like magic. I washed my clothes by hand daily and made sure to wash everything I could when chances permitted. Also, only get the quick-dry non-iron synthetic fabric. Throw them away to make room when they’re no longer wearable. Also, use packing cubes to separate everything in your bag and organize them neatly every chance you have as if you’re organizing your thoughts for a very important exam.
4. Get rid of the big camera. I loved my digital SLR, but I could not rationalize having it in my backpack since it would take up to 1 kg of weight. Also, it attracted attention from those who might want to steal it from you. Instead, I’d gotten to learn how to take modest-quality photos with my smartphone and new storytelling techniques to make my story worthwhile without having to use a fancy machine.
5. Keep everything in digital format + just 1 physical paperback at a time. I ditched all my books — more like a collection since I had more than a hundred of them. I gave them all away and rebought them in various digital formats (e.g., PDF, Kindle, Apple E-Book). I came to fall in love with audiobooks which I could listen to while on the move. During those travel years, I finished more than 50 books in total. Some of them I listened to them twice, such as Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow. A physical book was with me from time to time, but never than one and it’s always in a paperback form. Once finished, let it go to someone else. Trade it for another title, or give it away at a hostel for the next readers to be enlightened.

Here they are my tips that got me through 2 years of world traveling. I hadn’t counted how many countries I visited because I just let my travel plan changed as I probed.

I hitchhiked (in a trusted place), shared a ride with folks whom I just met, and used all sorts of travel opportunities that I had never tried before to get from places to places. I kept track of my family daily making sure that they weren’t too worried about my being on the road.

I made a few bucks here and there doing micro jobs such as paper editing and reviewing products to support myself during the trip but never tried to make more than I needed (since having cash on me was also dangerous and would steer me away from more important things, such as using my time to experience the world).

Looking back, I learned so much from the 2 years of giving away stuff, having less, and “being nobody.” I learned to let go of my ego and my confidence for being lofty above others (well, thanks to the “Dr” in front of my name that had, for a while, got me to think that I was superior to others).

Really, nobody cares if you have a Ph.D. when you’re on the road traveling the world almost cashlessly. I learned new skills from almost everyone whom I met on the street. I learned to be humble, to be status-less, and to appreciate every micro-moment as constant rewards in life.

Thoreau was right, learning to live with the minimal forced to me appreciate the most essential part of life and was the key to self-realization.