Tiny travel hacks
I started writing this blog in 2017 when I went to Thailand the first time with an ex-boyfriend. I am finishing this blog in Thailand in 2025 after a break up with my more recent (ex) boyfriend. Funny how things finish full circle, it honestly feels like I’m closing a whole loop of choosing the wrong person over myself, and it’s the Libra Full Moon which is highlighting partnerships vs autonomy… but I digress.
I am a wanderer with an insatiable urge to see the whole world - and therefore I am permanently on the road and have been for many years, this was true in 2017 when I started this blog and it’s even more true now in 2025. I am primarily a backpacker so these are lessons I’ve learned over time regarding backpack weight that I would like to share with you - so you aren't left shaking your fists at the sky wishing you had these tiny things that make life so much easier. Now my style of travel has only changed slightly since 2017 and I am still a backpacker, but if I buy too many things I will buy a small suitcase to bring things home.
For now this is just tiny simple things to make your backpacking adventure way easier. The only thing that matters while backpacking or traveling light is that you are waterproof and your bag doesn’t weigh as much as you do.
Tiny Extras that make your life easier
Tiny fabric or plastic bag. Maybe for rocks or earrings or money.
Pill bottle. This goes hand in hand with above, if you have precious jewelry you don’t want crunched, this is a perfect thing to bring. I would of course limit the jewelry you bring - you will most likely find things along the way.
Woman: Diva Cup! This will make your life infinitely easier. Trust me.
Q-tips. Enough said.
Ziploc bags of every size!!! Small. medium size (think sandwich bag) and super large size; these are the magical items that waterproof your clothes and separate all of your belongings (including your dirty laundry). The small ones are great for toiletries, so if something spills, like Teatree oil, it is quarantined safely away from everything else! ~ learned from experience ~ The large bags are life savers and act as a vacuum seal.
Baby wipes - your new best friend.
A large scarf - doubles as beach towel or skirt or mask
Super light sun shirt - to wear over a bathing suit or something to allow for the wind if you’re riding scooters or hiking and don’t want to get burned.
A dry bag if you’re going somewhere during rainy season or plan on being on a boat
A carabiner - you won’t know when you’ll need it until you really need it
One nice (simple) outfit! Depending on where you’re going - you’ll probably buy a bunch more but it’s nice to have one.
Sandals + boots and something in between!
Bring minimal makeup - its not necessary and you can always buy more.
Mouthwash!
Coconut oil - bring a small bottle of coconut oil for just about anything: used to take off your makeup, as lotion, to ease an irritated skin blemish, for oil pulling etc.
Tea Tree oil - fixes almost everything :)
Earplugs - if traveling in hostels or overnight trains or buses.
Download audio books and movies to access offline. There will be (many) times the internet is not accessible so having some form of entertainment is a must.
Trust me when I say you will only use 1/2 the clothes you bring. Traveling is much easier than you think. I hope you risk it and take the jump and just do it. You will learn so much more about yourself in 3 months of travel than you will in any other circumstance. It breaks you open, it makes you grateful, it makes you flexible and calm and compassionate. You meet people and see things and taste things you’ve never experienced before. It shapes and molds you into a better kinder person who understands that all people are innately good. It has changed, shifted and molded me into the person I am today…. And I am very proud of that person.
Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that's okay. The journey changes you; it should change you.
~ Anthony Bourdain
Xoxo
Jess
