I love the idea of minimalism. Less stuff, more freedom. So, I thought, "Hey, I can do that." Spoiler: I can’t.
I tried to pack light for a short Alpine hiking trip once. Just the essentials, I told myself. But then I started thinking… What if it rains? Better pack a jacket. What if I get cold? Toss in some thermals. What if my shoes get wet? Better bring extra socks. What if I have downtime? Pack a book. By the time I was done, my bag was full, and I looked like I was moving house instead of going away for two days.
Minimalism is supposed to make life easier. But for me? Having too little stresses me out. I like being prepared. I like options. And yeah, I like my stuff. Especially new kit. I love putting new kit to the test.
At this point, I’ve accepted that I’ll never be a minimalist. And honestly? That’s fine. My backpack may be heavy, but it’s mine. It’s full of things that make me happy — or at least keep me comfortable.
So yeah, I tried minimalism. It’s not for me. I like my stuff too much.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go unpack my roll pack and figure out why it weighs 15 kilos. I suspect it’s the snacks. It’s always the snacks.