I remember growing up and hearing these crazy stories of people who spent months at a time backpacking around Europe or hiking through Alaskan mountains. Not going to lie, the adventure sounded extraordinary and exciting, but the thought of having to pack so little was not my cup of tea. Then I went through the stage of wanting to be a traveling journalist, only to realize later that such a career also entailed a minimal packing approach.

Flash forward to the present day and I actually take pride in how little I choose to pack on certain trips. After years of traveling to Cambodia over the summer, weekend college visits, or even family vacations, I have come to really appreciate a minimalistic packing method.

Each of us knows that feeling that shows up at the end of a long vacation where we dread sorting through the suitcase which appears to have had a bomb go off in it. At the same time, however, if you packed properly, how cool is it to realize that you have everything you need at your disposal?

It doesn't matter to me anymore to have five extra outfits on the off-chance I will need something "cute" to wear. It is just as much an art to create three unique outfits with only five items as it is to pack less. Unless you have really sweat in something that it has become rancid, there is nothing wrong with wearing things twice.

As I have grown more comfortable with traveling less, I have learned what is absolutely necessary and what will just create more comfort for me. If we are not forced to be uncomfortable in some situations, then life is less interesting! If I am backpacking through the Grand Canyon, chances are my journal and a Bible will suffice for any documentation. That is necessary for me, but 20 pairs of socks are not.

Yes, there are still days where I think, man I could probably bring less here or forget that extra book. When it all comes down to the trip, though, the only thing I need to ask myself is, have I packed the necessary things for me to carry? Can I live off of this for a few weeks? The adventure is not about what I carry or what I bring to it. The adventure lies in how far and how long I can go.