When my partner, Nathan, first suggested traveling with just one backpack, I was skeptical. Little did I know, this minimalist approach would not only simplify our travels but also provide a solution to my constant email overwhelm.
One bag… for everything? Impossible.
A year earlier, on our first 5-month trip to Thailand, we didn’t pack light. We brought multiple bags stuffed with “what-ifs” and even an entire suitcase dedicated to supplements. At the time, it all felt necessary.
By 2014, as we prepared to travel indefinitely, Nathan had been inspired by Tynan – a minimalist who lived out of an RV and believed in owning only what truly mattered. He valued quality over quantity, investing in high-quality essentials while eliminating excess. Nathan couldn’t stop talking about him, and the idea of traveling with just one bag had taken hold.
It felt like such a wild idea that I resisted it completely.
How could we possibly fit everything we needed into a single backpack? This wasn’t just a trip – it was a one-way, indefinite journey.
What if I couldn’t find something essential?
As a Black woman, I had specific hair care products and personal essentials I knew would be difficult to find abroad – especially in Thailand, where many beauty products include bleach. Leaving them behind didn’t just feel risky – it felt like setting myself up for inconvenience or, worse, expensive replacements.
Still, a part of me couldn’t shake the question: What if?
What if I could live with less and still feel prepared? What if this radical idea wasn’t as wild as it seemed?
Right before we left, I decided to give it a try. Just as an experiment, I tested how much I could fit into one bag. I stripped down to the essentials, leaving behind anything I didn’t truly need.
I was nervous – but also curious.
Would I regret it… or discover something completely unexpected?
And then… something surprising happened.
Freedom Looked Different Than I Expected
Having less brought more ease than I ever expected.
No more checked bags. No waiting at baggage claim or lugging around heavy suitcases through crowded streets or keeping a watchful eye on them. And the best part? We no longer looked like obvious tourists weighed down by too much stuff.
It wasn’t just physically freeing – it was mentally freeing too.
Fewer things to manage. Fewer decisions to make. More space to just… be.
That shift taught me something essential: When you focus on what really matters, you create space.
Space to move, to breathe, to experience life with greater ease.
And it got me thinking… what if that same mindset could apply somewhere else? What if I could use this newfound simplicity to manage things like email overwhelm too?
🎒 How the Backpack Mindset Helps You Overcome Email Overwhelm
It turns out, packing light didn’t just change the way we traveled – it inspired what I now call the backpack mindset for your inbox, reshaping how we approach other parts of life, too.
Because stuff isn’t just physical. Mental clutter – like an overflowing inbox – can weigh you down just as much.
What if managing your inbox felt less like a chore… and more like creating breathing room? Not by chasing perfection or the elusive inbox zero, but by letting go of what doesn’t serve you.
Here are a few simple, gentle ways to apply the backpack mindset for your inbox and lighten your digital load – no pressure, no perfection required.
How the Backpack Mindset for Your Inbox Helps You Reclaim Your Time
1. Focus on the Essentials with a Backpack Mindset
What actually matters right now?
When we travel, every item we pack has to be essential – there’s little room for extras. The same goes for email. Not every message needs your attention. Some can wait, and others can be let go entirely.
👉 Try This:
- Ask yourself: Does this email truly need my time right now?
- Use labels like “Urgent” or “Follow-Up” to highlight only what matters.
- Pause newsletters or filter non-urgent emails, so you can breathe.
2. Let Go of What’s Weighing You Down
You don’t have to do it all at once.
Gradually releasing unnecessary emails and subscriptions can significantly diminish email overwhelm, leading to a more peaceful digital space.
Before moving to a new destination, we always check in: What don’t we need anymore?
It’s the same with your inbox. You don’t need a massive purge – start tiny.
👉 Try This:
- Delete or archive just five emails today – or even one.
- Unsubscribe from one thing you no longer read.
3. Make It Fun (Or Less of a Chore)
Turn it into a game or a trade-off.
Incorporating playful strategies can transform email overwhelm into an engaging and rewarding activity
When I’m unmotivated, I play little mind games:
“Clear 10 emails, then watch a video.”
Or: “Spend 15 minutes decluttering emails, then take a quick break.”
👉 Try This:
- Set a timer for 15 minutes and see how much you can clear – no pressure.
- Reward yourself: clear a few emails, then do something you love.
4. Use a System That Works for You
It doesn’t have to be perfect – just helpful.
Traveling light works because we built a system for what goes where.
The same idea can apply to email. A simple system makes a big difference.
👉 Try This:
- Create folders or tags like “To Read” or “Waiting On”
Use tools like Inbox2Action – it’s like packing cubes for your inbox.
Save important emails directly to Notion, where they’re searchable, organized, and safely stored – letting you clear your inbox while keeping key information within reach and distraction-free.
5. Be Kind to Yourself
Progress is progress.
Clearing your inbox doesn’t mean tackling everything. Even a single, intentional choice can create space.
👉 Reminder:
- You’re allowed to go at your own pace.
- Every small step counts.
- Celebrate progress – perfection isn’t required.
✨ Living Light, Digitally and Beyond
Packing light taught us that less isn’t about deprivation – it’s about freedom.
That same less-is-more mindset ended up changing how I relate to digital tools too.
Whether you’re packing for a trip or managing your inbox, focusing on what’s essential creates space for what really matters.
Small steps work. Every decision to let go of something unnecessary – digitally or otherwise – brings a little more ease.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Small changes create big shifts. Here’s how to start lightening your inbox load today:
- Start Small: Delete or archive one thing today – no pressure.
- Let Go: Prioritize what matters and let the rest go.
- Make It Fun: Try a timer or reward system.
- Use a System: Create simple folders or tags for clarity.
- Be Kind to Yourself: Progress counts – perfection isn’t required.
What about you?
Have you ever explored the backpack mindset for your inbox in your own workflow?
I’d love to hear how it goes!
P.S. Want a practical way to manage email overwhelm?
Check out the Inbox Mastery template I use to keep things organized – it’s free.