What to Leave Behind

The title of this post is a little misleading. It’s not really about what not to pack in the first place. It’s about lightening the load along the way.

When I’m packing to visit an Instagram-worthy location and want the perfect outfit, chances are I’m probably not going to wear it again. And I plan for that! I’m definitely not afraid to pack some throw-away, trendy fashion. 

For example, I bought this $15 dress at Forever 21 because I knew if would match the color scheme at Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech. Not only did I get some stunning photos, but I posed for another 20 minutes for a group of lovely Japanese tourists.  No need to bring the dress home. It served its purpose!

Another example are these photos in Bangladesh and Myanmar.  I bought these skirts on sale from The Little Bazaar (ranging between $6-$12), and I left them behind for someone else to enjoy.

I managed to capture some amazing shots and freed up space in my luggage along the way!

And sometimes what I’ve left behind has had unexpected meaning. While visiting a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, I distributed all of my bangle bracelets to the teachers and schoolchildren at an NGO learning center in gratitude for sharing their day with me.