Travel can be a gratifying, eye-opening experience… yet packing for travel can cause stress and create an unnecessary amount of waste. Well, sustainably minded explorers, I’m happy to share that there’s a conscious clothing line to alleviate that pre-travel headache: One For The Road. The brand designs their high-quality products with longevity in mind, making durable products so you really only need one for the road. They’ve designed their products with durable natural fibers and natural dyes to ensure their pieces make it through wear after wear. And, you can rest assured that the slow fashion brand produces their clothing ethically—One For The Road sources their quality products from fair trade suppliers and builds meaningful relationships with the makers of their clothing.
The founder of the responsible brand, Anastasiya Dudik, is an avid conscious explorer herself and has some great tips on mindful travel to share!
The liberation from packing mindfully is magical. Being conscious about how you’re preparing for you trip allows you to travel light, learn to go with the flow and receive more from the world in return. Here are four pieces of advice to get you started.
Pack smart
Instead of determining on how little you can live with on your trip, simply work out what you can’t live without. Think about investing in natural fibers like merino wool or bamboo. These fabrics keep you warm when it’s cool and cool when it’s warm. They also fight off any nasty bacteria – keeping you fresher for longer. Not to mention, they will save you loads of luggage space and trips to the Laundromat.
And don’t over pack
How spontaneous can you really be with a giant suitcase? Travel is about meeting people, changing plans and adjusting to the present moment. Sit down with your stuff pre-departure and really have a think about what you’re actually going to use on your trip. Be practical and leave the ‘just in case’ items at home. Having a tiny rucksack gives you so much more freedom to adventure, which is what travel is all about.
BYO
If you haven’t already, cut down on plastic waste and invest in a reusable water bottle. And make travel sized tubes and containers your best travel buddies that you bring again and again on your adventures. These guys last forever and you can just transfer the amount you need for your trip from your regular sized products.
Embrace Wabi Sabi
As travelers, we often accept and appreciate the impermanent and ‘here today gone tomorrow’ nature of travel. When you’re in this state of mind, you are less likely to hold on to belongings that no longer serve a purpose for you. Don’t be afraid to repurpose them or let them go. In turn, creating even more space for adventure.
