I wrote an article a few weeks back about what a person should pack in their bag when backpacking across Europe. Since it has now been a little over two weeks and my backpack and I have traversed through 8 countries (and counting!) I decided that it was time to revisit the subject.
There are a few reasons why I think this revisiting is necessary; first being that I have ditched at least one thing in every country that I have been to thus far, and second because I believe that it is important to have a realistic idea of what you’re getting into when you begin backpacking, and I believe it is my duty, having come to this conclusion, to inform the world of it. So without further ado: what I thought I needed vs. what I really did need to backpack across Europe, an expose.
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First and foremost, before leaving on this trip I did my research.
Lots of research reading other travel blogger’s articles, digging through Pinterest boards, pouring over travel guidebooks, talking to people who had gone on any sort of similar trip. I felt prepared. My backpack, I measured, weighed and stuffed literally everything I possibly could into it until my back felt like I was breaking every time I wore it. Now I’m not saying that the things that I listed in my past article are null and void. In fact, if I was packing a small suitcase, I would pack exactly what I attempted to keep in my backpack because it was absolutely perfect. For a while.
Then the weight, the heat, the cold, the walking, the packing and repacking started to wear on my patience. I began tossing things. I succumbed to not blow-drying my hair (even though it was the world’s smallest and most adorable blow-dryer), I ditched my compact easy dry towel (most hostels have towels available for use) and I scoffed at myself for thinking I needed a portable luggage scale. With other items, I realized that I had a compact version of them in my phone: an alarm clock, a flashlight, a compass. And even others I decided that I could get creative: get rid of the silverware and use the lid of the peanut butter to make my sandwiches.
In case you are curious, here is a list of all of the things that I thought I needed, but I have ditched at random stops along the way:
- Traveling duct tape
-Digital luggage scale
-Digital alarm clock (I now use my cell phone)
-Water bottle (I have gone so many places where it is not recommended that you drink the water from the tap, so I have been purchasing water bottles almost everywhere that I go. For this reason, my water bottle has just been taking up space.)
-Plastic silverware
-Mini compact hairdryer
-Compression bag (This one, I wish I could have kept because it was SO helpful, but it broke.)
-Travel towel
-Flashlight
-Daypack
-Mouthwash (The airline actually made me get rid of this one, the new rule is that you can only bring one quart size plastic bag of your liquids that are under 3 oz. on the plane in your carry on.)
-Laundry supplies (Europe has Laundromats)
-Umbrella (There have been times that I regretted this, but it has also made for some great stories)
-Money belt (Having a fanny pack and a lock for my backpack when I’m out of the hostel has negated the need for a money belt.)
Needless to say, I have gotten rid of so many things since I have arrived here in Europe, but it is all a learning experience. And, whether or not it is psychosomatic is debatable, but my back gratuitously thanks me when I take even a very light item out of my pack.
There are so many things that we think that we can’t live without. I am one of those people that clutches desperately to my worldly possessions because I think I need to be completely prepared for any possible situation that arises. This was something I came face to face with when I sold 85% of everything that I owned prior to packing up my backpack and leaving the comfort of the United States. Honestly, to bring it full circle, I’m not the only one who feels like my stuff will somehow protect me.
I know plenty of people who struggle to let go of things that make them feel prepared for anything that comes into their path. But what I’ve started to realize is that this need can be unhealthy, and often, it prevents growth. If I had not begun to let things go, then I would not have had half of the amazing experiences that I have had, and I would have been inhibited from letting this trip help me to become stronger, more inventive and mature. And I could not be more grateful.
