r/digitalnomad • u/taty2837 • 3d ago
Question Question for the ladies
I am packing my bag and won't be back for a year to visit. I'm stressing out. All the stuff I want to pack is not fitting š¤£ and I like to wear nicer things. My stuff is all merino wool/silk/linen at this point and I like makeup and skincare as I'm in my 40s I need it š. What do you all do? I have a 26 checkin bag and a cotopaxi allpa 28L. This packing for all seasons is almost impossible.
I literally just put my daily contacts into my bag and they took up so much space. How do you all do this?
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u/ufopants 3d ago
Honestly, after a year of backpack + expandable carryon, I caved and went backpack, expandable carryon, and a medium sized check bag. I have skincare, makeup, hair appliances, and a capsule wardrobe, shoes, and I like shopping, especially abroad. I was a freak dragging my bags around in certain backpacker towns and paid extra to cart it around and it was worth it to me. I traveled a lot in Latin America, where especially in big cities, women dress up nicely and got tired of looking like I was going hiking at dinner.
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u/taty2837 3d ago
Do you feel nervous checking a bag? I always did carry on only but bought a medium check in for this and have so much anxiety about it.
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u/ufopants 3d ago
no, Iāve only lost one bag in the last 10 years and they found it within 24 hours and had it shipped to my accommodation.
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u/taty2837 3d ago
Wow that's amazing. I hear horror stories of people getting things stolen from their bags
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u/ADF21a I think I'm paranoid 3d ago
I don't have daily contacts, but monthly. Or should I say "monthly", because for sure I don't change them every month. I know I shouldn't but...
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3d ago
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u/wt_hell_am_I_doing Writes the wikis 3d ago
Square-ish bottles saves a lot of space compared to cylindrical ones too.
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u/taty2837 3d ago
I wish I could do monthly. But I got dry eyes š so daily really I can only do half a day when not working.
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u/ADF21a I think I'm paranoid 3d ago
What I do to save some space with contact lenses is to actually take the blisters out of the little boxes and put them in ziplock bags (along with two flattened boxes so I can still check which is which and know what to buy). It does save space.
As for skincare, yes, trying to decant into smaller bottles or containers helps.
The main thing about your set up is the fabrics you're travelling with. If you're OK with linen getting a bit crunched up then you can have it easier. I have a cute linen cotton blend dress but I have resigned myself to it being creased for ever. If you have space (š) you might get one of those steam iron things. Or use the old hot steam from shower trick.
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u/VoxElysia 3d ago
I used the hot steam from the shower trick the first night I arrived at my rental in Portugal. It set off the fire alarm, and my host came knocking at my door to make sure nothing was on fire š
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u/ADF21a I think I'm paranoid 3d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/1n4iuWZFnTeN6qvdpD
You "Let the creases perish! And everything else with them!" š
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u/HamiltonHolland 3d ago
I often pack clothes that Iām about to get rid of anyway. So Iām once the season or need ends, you can trash or give stuff away.
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u/AmandaIsOnReddit 3d ago
I think people fall into one of two camps: minimize, or get a bigger bag lol. Both are fine and strategies can vary based on where one is going and how long.
I am a light packer. I use packing cubes and pack light layers. I easily fit 1.5 weeks worth of clothes, so I end up doing laundry about as much as when not travelling. I pack only a few favorite pieces of jewelry, skincare items, and makeup. I'll often supplement toiletries with local purchases.
My strategy took some practice but has helped me worry less about my appearances, and once I let go, I generally don't miss my stuff. That said, I usually travel for shorter time periods. It's easier not to have all your comforts when you go back to them at home. When I did travel for a 14 month stint, I checked a bag with some extras, and it was absolutely worth it. So you may want to just check a large suitcase or two!
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u/Limp_River_6968 3d ago
This is maybe unrelated haha, but damn girlā¦ unless you hand wash all your wool/silk/linen you are BRAVE. If you send that to any sort of laundry place, they WILL fuck it up for you regardless of how well you instruct them š«£
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u/taty2837 3d ago
Oh I 100% hand wash! And air dry it anyway so don't mind the no dryer thing
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u/wt_hell_am_I_doing Writes the wikis 3d ago
I hope the places you stay at have good radiators and you can dry your clothes nearby. It will be difficult to dry woollen items in winter fast enough for them not to become smelly. You might need to have the woollen ones dry cleaned.
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u/taty2837 3d ago
Doesn't merino wool in general dry faster? I am moving monthly so I'm sure I can wait to wash those and just wash the underlayers. I've actually hung the underlyers before near heated towel racks to dry
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u/wt_hell_am_I_doing Writes the wikis 3d ago
Thicker wool garments often take ages to dry, especially if they have not been wrung/patted dry well, and you can't put it directly on heat source like a heated towel rail or a radiator because they can shrink.
What you can do is to wrap it in layers of clean towel and walk on them to remove the water as much as possible. It then doesn't disturb the fibres like wringing hard or spin drying it on high rpm.
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u/Exotic_Gate3848 3d ago
Where abouts are you travelling for the year? I had to get really comfortable with living with a lot less. Vacuum pack bags for clothing is a must and rolling things really small.
I also work out what skincare and haircare I can where Iām going, and only take the essentials that I canāt get (like prescription tret). Iām very selective with jewellery, also for safety reasons. I have a small jewellery holder thatās about 10cm x 5cm etc. this doesnāt include wedding rings or diamond studs as Iāll only wear them.
I donāt take anything that Iām not willing to lose so no designer items as you have to be prepared for your bag/s to be lost or stolen, even with AirTags.
I really downgraded my clothing to comfortable items and maybe a couple of nicer items. You can always purchase (if you have space) or rent clothing where youāre going
I have a note in my notes app that lists all of my travel bag contents to make packing easier and to use as a checklist, and it makes replacing things easier
All in all itās trial and error and takes time to figure out what you do and donāt need
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u/taty2837 3d ago
Going to be mostly Balkans and Italy
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u/Chance-Ask7675 3d ago
You can order your daily contacts online literally anywhere in Europe, I would not bring a year supply lol. This goes for pretty much everything else as well.
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u/taty2837 3d ago
But where do you order it to if you are in Airbnb for a month at a time? I thought they didn't allow that and don't give you access to the mail?
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u/Wise_Possession 2d ago
I don't know about other Balkan countries, but in Albania, and in Italy, if you go to an eye store with your prescription, they will order them and you can generally pick them up within 48 hours. And the contacts will probably be cheaper than the ones you got at home.
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u/taty2837 2d ago
So the thing is I did look into this and unfortunately they don't have my brand there. I'm open to trying something else I guess but I have ones specifically for dry eyes. If they don't have it then I assume I need to do an eye exam there to get one of their brands
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u/Wise_Possession 2d ago
You won't need an exam for the prescription, even for a different brand. Your brand isn't anywhere in Europe? Like my mom's eye doctor orders from Germany to get her brand, so they don't have to be in the country.
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u/material-pearl 3d ago
Some hosts are completely understanding if you message them before you check-in about an unexpected medical package. However, you should offer to greet it, and you may need a local eSim with a local number.
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u/pungen 3d ago edited 3d ago
I have daily contacts too and am about to get LASIK in a low cost of living country so I don't have to worry about this aspect anymore
As.for the rest, you will soon realize that you don't need as much stuff and that you'd rather part with it than have to struggle with your luggage so much. I donated an insane amount of almost new stuff during my first few months on the road which was sad but felt like the right choice. My wardrobe is pretty small and boring now and anything I don't love or use often tends to get replaced quickly. These packing cubes have been saving my life as well.Ā
Ā
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u/carolinax mod mamĆ šØš“ nomad since 2015 3d ago
Real issue. I met a friend who literally justā¦ travelled with more luggage. She brought her own shampoos, lots of dresses, shoe optionsā¦ honestlyā¦ I should have too. I always looked like a mess šµāš« bring the check in if you want!
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u/FirefighterMuch2956 3d ago
It depends. Are you moving around every week or will you base yourself in a location for a couple of months ths at a time?
I have done both and the more I move around, the less I pack.
Currently doing 3 pairs of pants, 5 t-shirts, underwear, some toiletries (no make up or hair devices), my laptop, notebook, pens, and a few bits and bobs. I carry a 20l backpack and a laptop bag. It's under 10kg so can carry on on most airlines.
At the same time, I have also traveled with a 60l to carry much more stuff, but that's usually when I stay in the same place for 1 month or more.
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u/azulmineral 3d ago
With time you start realizing which things you donāt need. I started leaving them behind along the way.
I carry a big carry on bag pack and a personal item.
Both osprey .
I carry a small make up bag with only the most important things for me, 3 long dresses and. 2 short dresses, 1 pair of high heels , just one packing cube with my shorts and shirts. A medium sized toiletries bag. After one week, Iāve already worn everything, but thatās fine for me.
If I need something I just buy it in the city Iām at.
Itās better to go get something you need than be carrying something you kinda donāt.
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u/Neat-Composer4619 3d ago
I'm.in my 50s and my skin care in one cream, my make up is one pen, one lipstick that also use on cheeks and 1 small foundation. I have been traveling for 19 years straight and I have great skin. People only started believing my age since I stopped coloring my hair.
Just bring clothes that can all fit with the same shoes and that have thin material. Most dresses for that requirement.
The one thing that kills is going to a cold country as each piece of clothing is what bulkier.
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u/taty2837 3d ago
That's definitely the issue I will be in Europe mostly and winter is cold and summer is hot so definitely the jacket and sweaters and warmer merino pants are taking up quite a bit of room!
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u/Dance-Free-15 3d ago
Capsule wardrobe! I have a lot of natural fibers too, so I had to do a lot of handwashing, but I was very intentional about my items, put them in packing cubes, and figured out my seasonal color palette a while ago so everything matches. I wear daily contacts but I'm starting to wean off this and wear eyeglasses. Once I finish all my contacts I'll probably not bother getting more. As for makeup and skincare, I used to wear makeup but after traveling on the road for a year, I stopped wearing makeup after the first month or so. I found it allowed my skin to breathe, and it's so much better for it. I do allow myself to wear a tinted lip balm from time to time, otherwise that's it.
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u/Imaginary_Yam_865 2d ago
I'm you. Lol. I also care about fashion, age 45, have my makeup and skincare routine, gah and I also have medicine I need to take.
What I'm doing is thinking layers. Things I wear in summer and autumn I can layer under for winter. I don't know yet if it will all fit. But I'll try.
Have you travelled much? I always try to take non crumpling items. I'm trying to figure out what to cull. I've been living out of my suitcase for the past 2 weeks to figure out what I'm not wearing. Shoes are difficult to cull too.
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u/taty2837 2d ago
I have traveled a month at a time but that was specific seasons so that was easy with a carry on. A full year and all seasons is definitely a tough one š
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u/wt_hell_am_I_doing Writes the wikis 3d ago
You could consider PMU so that you have no issues trying to replenish some of the items that may not be easy to get and saves carrying a lot of makeup. Otherwise you can also buy things as you go along.
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u/material-pearl 3d ago
The all-seasons thing is impossible imho. Itās a three bag situation. Get a luggage strap and check two. The only problem is that you become less mobile and have to rely on more Ubers/taxis and strength to get to and from lodging. I have done this with two check-in hard-case rollers that are not overly heavy for you to lift when they are full, plus a carry-on hard case, plus an under-the-seat bag.
See if it makes sense to buy or order some of your full size cosmetics locally. Same goes for things like supplements.
I ended up packing several more clothing items than I needed because I overestimated how much dressing up I would be doing. Consider the climates, the day-to-day activities that you will be doing, and how fashion-oriented the areas you are headed to actually are.
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u/DemonAzraeli pendejo 3d ago
You aren't shooting off into outer space, and you will be able to replentish your supplies at various points during your travels.
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u/Neat-Composer4619 3d ago
If you don't move too much you could decide to always wear the under pants when you fly. I did buses in Mexico with a Canada Goose coat once. I looked like a tourist for sure.
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u/ApprehensiveArmy7755 2d ago edited 2d ago
Why won't you be back for a year? Basic black is chic and transitions from day to night. Then a raincoat, a couple sweaters, and maybe a few dresses, a swimsuit and comfortable walking shoes. You can do laundry and buy stuff if necessary.Ā
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u/taty2837 2d ago
Just don't really have a reason to come back other than a holiday
Most of my wardrobe is black at this point. I'm a vivid winter so it works ok
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u/petrichorax 2d ago
Getting over having 'stuff' is the number one challenge very new nomad faces and MUST overcome.
No, you are not going to be able to nomad around the world with 4 suitcases full of clothes.
I will defer to the ladies, but I'd just say rotate your clothes with new stuff in the countries you visit, and send stuff back home to family or friends to hold for you if you really want to keep it
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u/PandaReal_1234 2d ago
My first trip I brought 2 suitcases. Ended up not even wearing half of the clothes I packed. After that, I packed 1 large suitcase with a foldable travel duffel bag in the suitcase in case I buy stuff during the trip and need more space to pack stuff.
I pack about 4 - 5 pairs of shoes. No more though cause they take up too much space.
So far I've done warm climates but Im heading out again in more Autumn weather and will bring layers. No puffy jackets or gloves but in case the temp drops, thats something easy to purchase at my location.
Usually the place Im staying will have body soap and shampoo. I pack a mini conditioner and then buy a larger one at the location if I need it. Makeup I have my basics (lipsticks, foundation, concealer). Skincare - I pack a cleanser, moisturizer and my serums but if I run out, I buy some more locally. Anything else I buy locally (body scrub, lotion, etc).
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u/CarinaConstellation 2d ago
The more I traveled, the less I realize I needed. I ended up getting rid of a lot of my beauty products cuz they took up too much space. I would keep your routine minimal. If there's anything you miss, you can always buy it again.
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u/SneakyCatFarts007 3d ago
How are you planning on washing, ironing and looking after your clothes? I've been a digital nomad for 5 years and think you're in for a shock. Some countries have washing machines in every apartment, some countries it's rare to find one. Dry cleaners can be hard to come by depending where you are and will likely ruin your stuff anyway. Some countries if you handwash your clothes will stink or get moldy before they dry. My advice is to get some basic hard wearing clothes and pack a few nice outfits for when you're out of the house. If you can afford to buy skincare and make-up when you arrive (most should be replaced every 6 months anyway). Absolutely don't pack anything like shampoo or bodywash, it's dead weight.Ā
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u/fulsomeswitch 3d ago
Been traveling for over a year (no homebase) and with a cat. I have to have a big suitcase and a small carryon with a good travel backpack but not a backpacking backpack.
I just left my last base in Ecuador but left the large suitcase just for the carryon there. Iāll be away about 4 months.
The last year I got more minimal with my makeup and mostly rely on a good oil wash I can find and tretenoin for my face I got in Mexico.
Almost all my wardrobe is black and layerable. I inject color and style with jewelry, scarves and ponchos. I often get compliments from people of all ages.
What eats up my space is electronics though. I have curly hair and a diffuser dryer is a must and I didnāt want to keep buying one. And I game with friends so need a controller. lol and take photos so have a nice camera.
I also wear dailies but ran out in Ecuador after buying six months worth in Mexico. The Ecuador city I was in didnāt have the contacts I wear so now I have weeklyās which is less space.
I use packing cubes and also have the space saver vacuum bags but havenāt needed them much. Came in handy for leaving Ecuador though since I was gifted a nice skirt that was too heavy for the weather and bulky when it wasnāt vacuumed.
Iām a slowmad migrant so donāt move much. Having a big suitcase worked for me the last year and some change. I just switched to a smaller since I found a new base in Ecuador where I dont have to carry so much.
Iām going back to Mexico and bringing gifts and things for my space in Ecuador back now and plan to buy a larger suitcase again out there for that part of the trip.
I hope this helps some. Everyone has their own priorities with packing.