Picking Up The Backpack

Alright! This is only the second day of the daily writing challenge and I’m beyond excited shaking my leg profusely. I already have tons of ideas to write about. It’s safe to say that choosing a topic would be more difficult than thinking of one.

Like I said, this time the blogs won’t be about me. I want to write about stuff that YOU find interesting. Things that provide you with some value. I want to tell stories that make you want to experience them. And from what I’ve observed, something that almost all of us enjoy is traveling. Even if we haven’t traveled to a certain place, hearing stories about it transports us to that place, giving birth to a desire to experience it first-hand.

Once you start visiting other cities and countries, it sets off a snowball down the hill. You never want to stop. The bug bites you so hard that all you can think about is the next adventure as soon as one ends.

The Best Way to Travel

To me, traveling is liberation. It allows me to leave behind all the worry and just be in my own presence. And I’m sure it would be the same for quite a few of us. One of the best ways to feel freedom is to travel solo. Stuff your clothes in a backpack and hop away.

See, I’m not saying it is the only way to enjoy your trips. But with group travels comes the stress of planning the entire trip and waiting for everyone to get on board. And when they do, the fear of last-minute cancellations always looms. Don’t you hate it when your entire plan changes because your friend suddenly has to be at work for an early product release? Ugh!

Although there are perks to traveling with friends, that’s a topic for another blog. For this one, let’s talk about backpacking. Solo.

I went on my first-ever solo backpacking trip in March 2023 to Rajasthan, India. I had traveled to different cities alone before, but never with the intention of exploring the places and the cultures. When I did, I understood the true meaning of traveling. And trust me, it’s not just luxurious hotels, fancy restaurants and tourist spots.

Backpacking In A Nutshell

Now, if you’ve gone on a backpacking trip before, I don’t need to coerce you into doing it again. You’ve got the bug. You’re good. But if you haven’t, do yourself a favor and get on it. I know it may sound daunting at first, but it will be a life-changing experience. Okay, maybe not THAT impactful, but it certainly will change your perception in many ways.

And it’s not that difficult, too. The first thing you do is make a list of places you wish to visit. It doesn’t have to be international. If you haven’t traveled solo before, start with some place domestic. Pick a city that you have heard of but haven’t visited yet. Next, open your calendar and figure out your schedule. Pick the dates you wish to or can travel on.

Once you’ve decided on the place and the dates, hop on to a ticket booking platform and start looking. It doesn't matter if you use MakeMyTrip or Skyscanner. Pick a mode of travel suitable to you. Bus, train or flight, pick whatever you feel comfortable with. Enter your dates, select the best bus or flight, and book right away. You see, if you contemplate and sleep on it, you might never do it.

Traveling with just one backpack might sound inconvenient at first. But in all honesty, it is THE BEST! There’s no bigger joy in the world than knowing that you only have one bag on your shoulders. No dumb duffles and no trollies to drag. Just imagine, you won’t have to wait for your trolley at the baggage claim. You won’t have to worry about your bags being jacked on a train. With just one backpack, you will always know where your things are. It’s that good!

I know what you’re thinking. “How am I supposed to fit all my stuff in one backpack?”, right? Here’s where the magic happens. In comes the concept of smart and minimalist packing. Because we have access to all our clothes at home, we tend to limit our combinations. But when the quantity is limited, the combinations increase. Pack maybe a pair of jeans that goes with three t-shirts. Carry a set of trousers or cargo pants that might be useful in case you go hiking or trekking.

Based on the place and the climate, pack t-shirts, shirts or tops. Also, consider the activities you wish to do. If there’s a good trek you want to go on, pack a dry-fit t-shirt and maybe a sweatshirt if it’s cold. If the nightlife seems exciting, pack one piece of party wear. And don’t forget footwear! Wear shoes or sandals that are suitable for multiple occasions. Most of the backpackers that I’ve met only carry one set of footwear and are more than happy with it.

It’s All About YOU

See, the point of this blog is not to explain to you how to travel solo. My intention is to inspire you to plan your next trip or your first solo backpacking trip. Because when you do that, you’ll understand how little you need to be happy. Doesn’t matter if it is a weekend or the whole week. When you go on that trip, all that’ll matter to you is how you can make the most of your time.

These kinds of trips change you in one way or the other but for the better good. You learn to talk to strangers, and maybe even share your life stories. You end up making friends in the most unexpected places. You learn to tackle tough situations head-on and get out of them wiser.

Every backpacking trip is distinct in its own way. Nonetheless, you learn something new with each one.

If you were waiting for a sign to book your tickets, THIS IS IT!

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