It didn’t start with a plane ticket or a grand adventure. It started with a shift, a decision to live with more intention.
Just before COVID hit, we began questioning everything we owned. We decluttered ruthlessly, slowly letting go of the non-essential items most people think contribute to happiness (spoiler alert: they don’t). That year gave us the breathing room we didn’t know we needed.
The reason we started to think this way: The minimalists
We loved the freedom that came with simplicity, and from then on, we tried to live our lives with less.
Then… lockdown happened. Suddenly, the world paused, and so did we. I (Oana) had been working as a personal trainer in a gym, thinking full-time travel would always be just a dream, one I’d never realistically be able to live. But COVID changed everything.
The gym closed. My routine disappeared. And instead of giving up, I pivoted. I moved my entire client base online, out of necessity at first, but soon, I realised something huge: I could coach from anywhere. 🌍
That mindset shift was the beginning of everything.
Meanwhile, Michael and I knew we didn’t want to just travel. We wanted to do it together, as partners in life and adventure.
So, in December 2021, Michael proposed (spoiler alert: I said yes 💍), and 2022 became the year of building our dream life, planning a beautiful travel-themed destination wedding while slowly selling everything we owned.
Then came 2023. Bags packed. Wedding rings on. One-way ticket in hand. We finally boarded that plane, and never looked back (well… of course, we came back to visit, but you get the point 😅).
Now let’s talk about what Made It Into the Bags (And What Didn’t)
The rule was simple: if it didn’t fit, it didn’t come. That meant being brutally honest about what we actually needed.
Think: versatile clothes, a small but mighty toiletries kit, and all the digital nomad gear required to keep our work lives running. But of course, there were a few non-negotiables. Michael and I knew we couldn’t rely on café hopping every single day, so coffee quickly became a priority.
Our Italian moka pot was too bulky, so we invested in a travel-sized AeroPress, hands down, one of our best decisions. Now, we can have good coffee anytime, anywhere, without always paying for it.
What we left behind:
We sold and donated nearly everything: furniture, kitchen tools, decorative items, clothes, shoes…
In the end, 90% of what we owned was gone.
What we kept were only the essentials: important documents, a few pieces of heavy-duty winter gear, and a small collection of books and board games (because let’s be real, we’re always up for a game night and so are most of our friends ). Letting go wasn’t always easy, but looking back now, there’s not a single thing we miss or think, “I wish we still had that.”
What It Felt Like to Leave It All Behind
We didn’t just pack our lives into two backpacks.
Okay… truth be told, it was two carry-on bags each, let’s not pretend we’re superheroes here 😅. But still, no check-in luggage (airline dependent). No storage unit.
Leaving the apartment we’d spent five years in… that was emotional. We walked out, closed the door behind us, and realised: we no longer had a key.
No return date.
No rent.
No bills in our name, except for the phone plan 😅
It was surreal. It was scary. But also… worth it.
What We’ve Learned Along the Way
Minimalism and intentional living aren’t just buzzwords, they’re our reality.
Decision fatigue? Gone.
Back when I (Oana) used to go to the gym, I’d stand in front of a full wardrobe wondering what to wear. Now? I’ve got 3 gym outfits. I rotate through them. That’s it. And guess what? It’s enough. It works. And it frees up mental space for the things that actually matter, like coaching my clients, exploring new places, or deciding what coffee shop to work from that day.
We’ve learned that less isn’t lacking.
Less is liberating.
Less IS more – I know this might sound a bot cringe but it really is.
Would We Do It Again? – Absolutely. In a heartbeat.
This lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. But for us, it’s opened doors we didn’t even know existed. It’s stretched our comfort zone in the best way possible. And it all started with a choice: to live with less…
Thanks for reading and we hope you enjoyed getting to know us a little better. Stay tuned for more blog posts coming your way soon!
In the meantime, if you’ve ever dreamed of a life with less stuff and more freedom, we’ve created something just for you…
Join the Pack Your Essentials Travel Community – A space for those choosing to live with less, move with purpose, and connect deeply — valuing simplicity, wellness, and meaningful experiences over the clutter and noise.
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