True Minimalist Travel

True Minimalist Travel Season 1

TV Show

Season 1 Plot

Global travel with nothing but a bum bag. ​ Experienced traveller and amateur filmmaker Benjamin Luke Mitchell (Lost Yet Free), explores the possibilities of freedom if one opens up their mind and leaves the backpack behind. No packing or carrying necessary, the philosophy here is to live simply, without restraints. Our curiosities spur the way, and an ultralight approach allow us to access places and global gifts beyond the reach of a big, heavy sack.

True Minimalist Travel Season 1 aired on May 19th, 2017.

Season 1 Episodes

1. A video about Bum Bag Travel

May 19th, 201748 min

Global travel with nothing but a bum bag - Video 1/ Introduction.

2. A Lesson, Transition & Obsession

May 12th, 201848 min

Global travel with nothing but a bum bag - Video 2/ Why I decided to travel without a backpack. In this video I tell the story of how I transitioned to minimalist travel with no luggage and how the quest for less became an obsession. I show the essentials that I packed and mention items I no longer needed.

3. The Advantages to Carrying Less

August 1st, 201848 min

Global travel with nothing but a bum bag - Video 3/ 14 Reasons to Travel Without Luggage. I travel without a backpack to make my experiences more immersive and rewarding. I made this video to help others think differently and embrace alternatives. Exploring with less, I share the motivations behind my unusual approach to travel. I detail the difficulties backpacks can bring, whether physical or mental. This minimalist approach removes all these complications, leaving me free to enjoy everything along the way.

4. The Disadvantages to Carrying Less

September 28th, 201848 min

Global travel with nothing but a bum bag - Video 4/ The complications to travelling without luggage. In this episode I share the difficulties faced by travelling without luggage. Considering the practical pressures from this level of minimalist travel is important before setting off on a trip or sending your backpack home. These are the long-term issues I face without a backpack.

5. The Long-Term Personal Impact of Minimalism

October 18th, 201848 min

Global travel with nothing but a bum bag - Video 5/ The personal effects of travelling without luggage. In this episode, I reflect on how minimalism has had a lasting influence on my life. I explore some of the positive and negative implications from living out of a tiny bag. Throughout my travels, I've learnt that the best way to face any pre-trip concerns is simply to begin. We sometimes pay too much attention to all the minor details which add up and can make us lose sight of our primary objectives. By choosing minimalist travel, we are placing all our focus on just the important things that we really need ...but can minimalism become a distraction in itself?

6. Bum Bag Travel for Women

November 20th, 201848 min

Global travel with nothing but a bum bag - Video 6/ Ultralight packing differences for men & women. This episode is for those who wish to travel ultralight but still feel unable to do so. I specifically look into the few essentials that women might need, beyond the basics I carry in my bum bag. Acknowledging prevalent gender distinctions, the video suggests some minimalist packing tips for those that might depend on more. My intention is to show how travel without luggage can still be accessible for all. For this episode, I have a little help from my girlfriend, Talise. I tried to make her think differently and I hope it can encourage you to think a little differently too. I wanted Talise to consider preparing to leave for a no-luggage adventure. I asked her to share the minimum she could leave with, beyond the items I carry. These are her key minimalist essentials, the crucial extra items she couldn’t go without.

7. Steps to Becoming a Minimalist Traveller

January 22nd, 201948 min

Global travel with nothing but a bum bag - Video 7/ The barriers before travelling without a backpack. When undertaking a minimalist transformation there are personal, physical and mental challenges to confront before leaving with almost no luggage. For this episode, I wanted to consider how others could start to approach a no-baggage trip. I looked at my girlfriends perspective to packing and asked her whether she could leave with less. I was curious if she could ever imagine taking a no-luggage trip and if so, what would be her notable barriers to overcome. Can I convince my girlfriend to travel without luggage? Talise knows too well not to pack too much, she knows how to carry almost nothing, however, she still chooses a lot to pack. This video shares more of her packing story, which involves some heavy struggles along the way. Minimising my baggage, transformed the way I experience the world. I love ultralight adventures, but traveling with one small bag whilst in a relationship uncovers a striking polarity. Travel is personal, therefor only you can decide how much is necessary. By sharing my thinking behind why I travel the way I do, I hope this series helps those wanting to take their next step in ultralight travel. The main obstacle to travelling light can be helping carry other peoples bags.