Simple Living: Lessons From Traveling Light

There’s something refreshing about traveling. A pared-down wardrobe, a minimal beauty routine, and living only with what you need. It can be truly liberating to experience fulfillment from living with less.

It’s hard though. Even when packing for a trip it’s tempting to add in items for just-in-case moments. I know I said those three little words “just in case,” several times when making my most recent trip list. But, I resisted the urge to add more weight to the pack. And in the end, when we returned from vacation it felt great knowing that we used all the things that we brought with us.

We can get a similar feeling with our homes. It feels great to really use and enjoy the things that we surround ourselves with and not so great when there are too many things to even use. Without realizing it, the extras and the “what if” items pile up and slowly our spaces become harder to manage. We actually do feel the weight of a heavy emotional burden brought on by overspending, making mistakes with our purchases, or just feeling overwhelmed by the sight of all the stuff.

When decluttering, think about how often you use the item and whether it truly adds value. Let go of the things that aren’t serving you, and give yourself permission to release the “just in case” thinking that’s keeping them around. Living with less doesn’t mean you’re missing out. In fact, it often means the opposite because you’re gaining space, clarity, and the freedom to focus on what you truly love. For me, that’s traveling. And having a clutter-free, calm home makes returning from a trip feel just as good as the trip itself.