Category: Pre-Trip

Most people ask me how many suitcases I am bringing with me when I tell them about my trip. They are usually pretty shocked when I tell them that I’m only bringing a day pack and a 45-liter backpack.

The packing process has taken several weeks and has been a challenge. I only want to bring what I know I will absolutely need in an effort to travel as light as possible. I have to remember that I can purchase things along the way if I need them.

What Am I Wearing?

My wardrobe for the next year will consist of:

• 7 Pairs of Underwear
• 7 Pairs of Socks
• 6 T-Shirts
• 3 Pairs Convertible Pants (they can be pants and shorts)
• 2 Long Sleeve Shirts
• 1 Sweater
• 1 Pair Thermal Socks
• 1 Pair Thermal Pants
• 1 Pair Thermal Long Sleeve Shirt
• 1 Swimsuit
• 1 Baseball Hat
• 1 Wool Winter Hat
• 1 Neck Thing
• 1 Pair of Gloves
• 1 Pair Hiking Boots
• 1 Pair Sneakers
• 1 Pair Sandals
• 1 Windbreaker
• 1 Rain Poncho

It seems like a lot when it’s listed out like that but it really isn’t. There have been some tough choices to make. For example, I was thinking about bringing jeans but decided against it because they are just too heavy and difficult to pack.

One thing I want to say – packing cubes are totally underrated. I was never a believer in them. Why do I need another bag to go inside my bag? But they are the real deal. I crushed all clothes I have into 3 packing cubes. Now I have half of my bag available to fit all other types of items.

How About The Tech?

I will admit, I spent a pretty penny upgrading my computer and my other gadgets over the last few months. It’s been a while since I had my own laptop. I’ve been able to use my company computer for all my computing needs over the last few years.

I decided on getting a Chromebook over a traditional PC or Mac because it was cheaper, more flexible, and checked all the boxes. I’m not planning on using my computer when I don’t have an internet connection and that made the choice easy. If you don’t know the difference between a Chromebook and a traditional laptop click here.

I caved in and got a Kindle also. Anyone that knows me well knows that I love to read. And I’ve been a fan of the paperback for a long time. But the convenience of a Kindle on a trip like this is just too much to ignore. It’d be impractical to carry books around with me. And getting my hands on new books that I want to read would be a pain.

The Other Things

There are some other miscellaneous items I needed to bring along besides my clothes and gadgets. I plan on doing a few multi-day hikes in New Zealand so that influenced what I needed to bring.

The hiking-specific items I’m bringing along include:

• Hard Plastic Spork
• First Aid Kit
• Compass
• Whistle
• Water Proof Bag Cover
• Hand-Held Water Filtration System
• Head Lamp

Besides that just some standard items:

• Various Medications
• Sunscreen
• Laundry Detergent
• Scrub Brush
• Toiletries

I know it’s going to be a challenge traveling with my entire life on my back. This process forced me to be honest with myself because I’ve been a notoriously heavy packer in the past. It’s impossible to think of everything and I’ll have to be adaptable to make things work during my trip.

When I first was planning this trip I thought about the things that I wanted to do the most. It helped me create the base for my year-long journey. I narrowed the list down to three things –

• Hiking in New Zealand
• Hiking to Mount Everest Base Camp
• Hiking in Patagonia

All these spots are best to visit during different times of the year. The time to go to New Zealand is January to April and I decided to start my trip there. The hiking season in the Himalayas happens between April and May. And similar to New Zealand, Patagonia is best during the summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

In April I will be in Bali and I’ll have to make a decision. Should I move to India and set myself up to be in Nepal by May? Or do I continue exploring Indonesia and Malaysia with the goal of working my way into Southeast Asia?

If I move to India then I’ll have a month to explore the north before heading over to Nepal to start the trek. My plan will be more rigid because I have to be in a certain place at a certain time but I think a month is enough. I really want to take my time in India because it’s so big and so diverse.

If I stay in Indonesia and work my way up I will be more flexible. Southeast Asian countries are very affordable and it’s easier to find travel and accommodations on the fly. There’s something romantic about the idea of traveling without any particular plan. You arrive and you leave when you feel like it and I want to experience that.

I have good options. I have to remind myself that I have the freedom to do what I want this next year. Sometimes I get wrapped up in trying to create the perfect plan but such a thing doesn’t exist. Having to make this type of decision isn’t really a problem.

Honestly, I don’t know what the plan is right now. I’d like to go with the flow as much as I can. I hate to admit it but I like to have a detailed itinerary in place before setting off.

But my experiences have taught me that being flexible is always a better idea. Some of my best travel stories happened completely out of the blue. I’ve met new people and joined them for an adventure that they were planning. Or someone at the hostel told me about something fun to do that I hadn’t considered before and I went for it.

I’d like to tread the line between planning and having no plan, if that makes sense. I want to have a few things locked down, especially for parts of the trip that involve experiences that I know will be in high demand.

I would definitely like to stay in the warm weather for most of the trip. I didn’t take a year off from my job just so I could continue being cold! But I think it is very manageable because I’m starting my trip in New Zealand when it will be summer there.

After hiking around New Zealand for a while the next logical stop is Australia. I understand that there’s a lot happening there at the moment with the bush fires but I can avoid those areas if I have to. I can still travel to the other parts of Australia that I want to see.

I am pretty hell bent on Bali after Australia. Flights from Northern Australia to the island are fairly cheap (though they are getting more expensive!). It’s the logical next move. But after this I am not totally sure what the next step should look like. I’m torn between a few options.

Well not quite. I’ll be leaving the country at the end of the month. I have to stop off to see some friends and family before I go.

I don’t think it’s hit me just yet though. And I don’t think it really will until I step out of the airport for the first time and realize what I’ve gotten myself into.

When I was working all those late nights I always imagined the day in which I would walk out of the office for the last time. I imagined a feeling of conquest, of pride, of excitement for the next chapter in my life.

But it didn’t feel unusual walking out of the office on Wednesday. I thought I’d feel more nervous as the day approached. I thought I’d second guess this decision. But I feel calm because I feel this is the right decision for me right now.

I understand that this trip is going to be tough. I’m going to get lonely. I will face challenges. Things will probably go disastrously bad at times. I will sacrifice the ability to spend time with my friends and family. I won’t be there for birthdays, weddings, and other major milestones. Nothing comes free in this life. To gain the type of freedom I want I have to sacrifice something.

But I understand what I’m getting in return and I plan to make the most of it. I’m 28 years old, I have no debt and I’m single. Nothing is tying me down to New York City or any other place for that matter. So if not now, then when?

I used to dream about making a decision like this. I met several people on my previous trips that have done just what I am about to do. But I didn’t think I dared to make this decision. Over time I realized that I was holding myself back. I had to overcome and change old thought patterns so I could create a better life for myself.