What to Take; What to Leave Behind

For me, one of the hardest decisions to make when we started roaming was what to take with me and what to leave behind.

This image is the back of our 2017 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon, fully packed with all the things we THOUGHT we would need while roaming.

We brought clothing (of course), our computers and extra monitors, all of my podcast gear (mics, lighting, tripods, etc.), my camera, a modest toolkit, and a first aid kit.

The funny part about it is a full 1/3 of everything we brought is still in the Jeep. Seriously. We overpacked by a long shot. Partway into our roaming, we edited our content. We edited clothing, gear, and even suitcases (all donated to the local Goodwill store). Now, we are down to the bare minimum so at least we can see out the back window.

We've made allowances for this by planning our travels to take us back through Atlanta on our way to destinations so we could stop by our storage unit and swap things out. We will definitely be traveling more lightly going forward. Here are some of the lessons I've learned:

• Clothing: We have access to a washer/dryer so I don't need to pack a ton of clothes. I will continue to edit my wardrobe as we go along. Need dress clothes? Sweaters? New socks? I'm sure there are stores in our vicinity. It's not like we're traveling US Highway 50, the world's loneliest highway.

• I originally brought dress clothes (pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a sports coat) just in case there was a networking event or occasion, but the opportunities just haven't materialized. I will definitely pare back on the dress garb.

• Toiletries: Again, we are not going into the remote wilderness, so anything we need we can purchase. Small, travel-sized items are best and can be replenished as needed.

• Shoes: I brought too many pairs of shoes with me. I practically live in my slip-on casual shoes, sneakers, and hiking boots.

One thing I will not skimp on is the things that remind me of home and give me a sense of belonging. We've taken a few pictures, my wife brought a few pieces from her carved white squirrel collection, and we brought the Filimin Friendship Lamp that keeps us connected to my daughter.

If you decide you want to roam, and you plan to RV or van-life your trip, you probably have enough room for most things. However, if you decide to go the Airbnb route, give some serious thought to the things you NEED to take, the things you WANT to take, and the things that would be NICE to HAVE. Everything else can be purchased in a pinch.