Living Nomadic and Minimalist: Reflections on Possessions and My Trusty Bag

If you've been following me for a while, you probably know that I live a nomadic lifestyle and embrace minimalism. Recently, I was listening to The Minimalists podcast, one of my favorites, where they talked about possessions and how much stuff we actually own. That got me thinking about my own journey and relationship with material things.

Now, I’ve never actually counted every single item I own. Instead, I measure them by weight and occasionally take photos of my belongings to document what I have. The photos I'm sharing here are from about a year ago, and as you can imagine, some things have changed since then. Items have broken, disappeared, or been replaced. To help you follow along, I've marked the photo with a yellow X for items I’ve replaced, and a red X for those I no longer own. Some things I replaced, others I didn't. I guess that’s the ebb and flow of minimalism—you learn to let go of what's no longer necessary.

Along with my possessions, I’ve included a photo of my bag. It’s a 32-liter bag, and surprisingly, everything I own fits into it. But it’s not easy — it’s like playing Tetris every time I pack it up. I love this bag. It’s been with me for a while (15 month) now, and it’s served me well. But here's the dilemma: it’s starting to wear out. The harness system is stretching, and I can tell that eventually, it will break under the weight of everything I carry.

So now, I’m thinking about replacing it with something sturdier — a 40-liter bag that can handle the load and last longer. I’d still pass this bag on to someone else before it breaks, though. It could easily serve someone with lighter needs for a good few years yet. But here’s the thing — while I love this bag, a new one would cost quite a bit, and for someone living minimally, that’s a significant expense.

But as a nomad, my bag is essential. It’s my constant companion, my mobile home. So, I’m torn between my attachment to my trusty 32-liter and the practicality of investing in a sturdier, larger one.

What do you think? Should I go for the upgrade, or stick it out a little longer with my old faithful? Would love to hear your thoughts!