Mindful traveling
Simplify, Simplify, Simplify — The Joy of Traveling Light
Living with only the essentials can free your mind for more important work
Simplify, Simplify, Simplify
I didn’t say that three times because I think you’re stupid.
No, I said it three times because it’s hard.
— to simplify your life.
Since I’ve been traveling, I have this thing about keeping things simple, and I mean so simple that it leaves my mind feeling calm and relaxed.
When my mind is cluttered, I can’t think straight. Too many thoughts make it hard for me to focus on the things that I want to do, such as writing and other interests.
Apple Inc. is known for the simplicity of its products, the Apple iPhone, iPad tablet, Macintosh computer, and other electronics.
Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple Inc., was not only simple in his approach to his products, but he also applied simplicity to his wardrobe.
He intentionally wore a black turtleneck & jeans every day, like a uniform. I was curious about this, so I did some research.
This is the story behind Steve Jobs’s iconic outfit.
Following a visit to Sony’s factory in Japan in the 1980s, Jobs noticed that all the employees wore uniforms.
The uniforms were first designed after World War II for bonding between workers as many employees did not have enough money for clothes.
He tried to adopt the same idea at Apple Inc., but all his employees refused.
Even though it didn’t turn out as he had planned, it didn’t stop him.
He decided to have his own signature outfit designed by the Japanese designer Miyake who had designed the uniforms for the employees at Sony in Japan.
“He requested Miyake to design a uniform for daily usage which could convey his signature style of simplicity and in return he got hundreds of black turtlenecks which he started using as his 24/7 attire.”
I can understand why he would want a signature style. It matched his vision for Apple Inc. but also made his life simpler.
Many of us love the creativity of fashion and how it defines us, but maybe that’s what Steve Jobs was doing for himself — expressing his values through his clothing. His value being simplicity.
As a traveler, I can’t buy many clothes, and if I do, something else usually has to go, but sometimes, my impulsive shopping frenzy kicks in, and I buy without thinking.
This happened in Ho Chi Minh City. I bought a handbag that I thought was so cute, and it was so irresistible — I had to have it!
Thankfully, it didn’t cost too much, but here I am in Portugal with this “cute” bag that isn’t as cute as I had once thought.
It’s poor quality, the color doesn’t go with anything & it’s just not practical.
So I went out today with the thought of finding a replacement. But, the difference was that today, I had my thinking hat on.
I did not need a “fix.” I was not trying to fill some lack in me. I simply wanted a bag that would be useful rather than just pretty.
It’s incredible how things work when we use our brains. Most of the time, we don’t even think about what we’re doing. We just do stuff.
It was a nice experience because if I didn’t get a bag, I would have been okay to leave it. I just wandered around with the idea of a more suitable bag.
I had looked at leather bags before, but after thinking about it for some time, I decided that I didn’t need one. Besides, it’s money I don’t have.
Also, when traveling, you can’t go around with expensive items as they might get robbed, and it just makes you a target anyway.
On leaving the shopping mall, I saw one more bag shop. The shop was perfect! It had loads of bags I liked and within my budget.
The only problem now was choosing the best one. Again, I used my thinking brain, and it came to me.
“buy what suits your lifestyle.”
An aha moment!
It was like an angel because I’m a bit of a city slicker. I love big cool bags for running around town, but this one was needed for travel, airports, trains, day trips, and not too bulky.
I also had to surrender the “bling” effect as it just doesn’t work when it comes to hostels or taking planes, trains, buses, and motorbikes.
I did it. I got the bag. Peace of mind at last and the other one, I can donate to my landlady. She’s already getting used to me and my travel-light lifestyle.
I gave her a few items last week, and she told me that her daughter loved my black hoody. It fits her perfectly.
I love when someone enjoys my things. If she didn’t want them, I’d find a second-hand shop for them.
So, by taking time to think about my life and goals at this point, it became clear to me that traveling is going to be part of my lifestyle for the unforeseeable future. The city slicker girl will have to take a back seat for now.
My focus has changed. I am traveling, and I need to keep things simple and light so I am more flexible.
But, not only that, my work is changing too. I didn’t imagine I would ever become a digital nomad, but that’s what seems to be happening now, and I need to adapt to my lifestyle to suit it.
Final thoughts —
I simplify my life to travel light, and I travel light so I can enjoy my life without too much unnecessary stress.
I hope this makes sense to you. If you are a traveler, you will know that bags play an essential role in our lives. After all, they do become our house.
I am no Steve Jobs, but at some point, we all have to decide who we are and what we stand for.
When we take the time to think about that, adjustments have to be made, and for me, that meant letting go of my old lifestyle.
It doesn’t mean I don’t like those things anymore. It just means that I need to focus on the present moment and do what I am called to do now.
I will always love clothes and fashionable handbags, but it just doesn’t fit my lifestyle at this time.
That is my big sacrifice!😊
What do you need to sacrifice right now to fulfill your life purpose?
© Orla K.
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