On my recent trip to Italy, I took only a backpack. Knowing I would be walking for 30-minute stretches while I traveled to five different cities–Venice, Florence, Montepulciano, Siena and Rome–I kept the weight to about 20 pounds. Now that I’m home, I realize I should have been easier on myself because bringing less clothes and shoes made me feel denied and punished.
I went too far trying to “stay minimal,” and for the next trip, I’ll bring things that make me feel more at home, no matter where I am.