I used to pack as if I were preparing for every possible version of the future. Extra layers. Backup plans. "Just in case" items that never left the bag. But these days, the list is shorter. Stripped back. Deliberate.
At one point in my life, taking too many things on an adventure hinders the joy of actually enjoying it, and I find myself constantly thinking about how I should use the item I've brought so I don't waste effort carrying it. The trip ends up becoming more of a 'ticking of the list' chore than really just being present at the moment.
However, there are three things I always bring, whether it's a weekend down the coast or a long-haul flight into somewhere unfamiliar.
Not because they're essential for survival. But because they change how I experience the trip.
A Camera
Not for content. Not for algorithms. For the sake of journaling my experience.
A camera is absolutely the one thing I have on me all the time. It doens't need to be the best camera, it just needs to be a decent one (prefebably compact and lightweight)
I've come to a point in life where I think practicality is more important than the features that a tool has. Yes, it might be nice to have a professional camera at my beck and call and multiple lenses to choose from; however, I get analysis paralysis just thinking about which combination to use to capture certain moments. And most of the time, I lost the moment that I wanted to capture because I spent too much time overanalyzing.
Hence, these days, if it's a camera that is easy to use, I'll take it with me.
2 compact cameras that I absolutely love these days are the Ricoh GR series (digital) and the Pentax 17 (film analogue) camera. They are easy to use and shoot absolutely stunning photos.
When I carry a camera, I tend to slow my pace, paying more attention to the lighting, reflections, and unique compositions around me.
It makes me wait for the right frame. It makes me notice the ordinary. Airports become studies in repetition. Side streets become stories. And even bad weather becomes texture.
A trip without a camera feels like a conversation half remembered.
A Notebook
For the past few years, I've developed the habit of journaling my thoughts and ideas by hand. It is hard to describe the feeling, but it just felt different from taking notes on a smartphone or even writing on an iPad. There's just something raw and unique when you write something on a piece of parchment.
I tend to jot things down, all sorts of things, mainly from the interaction I've gotten when I'm out and about; A phrase overheard in a market, a unique conversation I had with someone, a random idea I get after seeing certain sceneries, my feelings after experiencing something, and sometimes it can be sketches as well.
The point is that carrying a notebook around with me helps me to journal my experience better, especially with my camera.
And years later, when I look back, there might be an interesting story or ideas lying within those scribbled pages.
A Watch
A watch is many things other than just a time-telling tool. For me, a watch is a part of me; it represents my identity, and it's also a good statement piece and a conversational piece.
But more so, I've been wearing a watch since I was around 5 years old. Wearing a watch has always been a habit of mine; it keeps me anchored. No matter the brand or genre of watch. As long as it is something that I know I would appreciate in that particular adventure.
That said, being someone who constantly travels into the outback, having a durable tool that tells and measures time is pretty handy.
And if it picks up a scratch along the way? Even better, that timepiece would be part of the narrative as well.
You might be wondering about other essentials like outfits and gadgets. While those are important, they vary depending on the type of adventure. However, the three items mentioned are always with me, wherever I am.
