Nomadic Diva: Tips for Traveling Light - How to Be Prepared for Any Adventure and Be Fabulous

A few years ago, I presented on the topic of “How to Travel Light” at the inaugural Ladies, Luggage and Lipstick conference in Nashville, Tennessee. It was a phenomenal experience! I was shocked by the number of attendees who had an interest in my specific topic.

Presenting at the Ladies, Luggage, and Lipstick Conference

Normally, I’m presenting on topics like strategic planning, personal branding, monitoring and evaluation, or some other rather heavy topic. However, this conference was geared at preparing women of color who might be thinking about traveling abroad to take the plunge. I’ve been stuck one too many times having to carry my luggage all by myself great distances and up and down flights of stairs.

There have been times when I’ve had to turn down last minute treks because I had too many things to carry. There have also been times when I didn’t have the right items in my luggage. Either, I had too much of the wrong things or not enough of the right things. Over the years, I have visited and worked in 15 countries and I learned the hard way how important it is to make sure you travel right and you travel light.

Although this wasn’t the most serious of topics, I knew it was one that was vitally important. Although, I was a bit worried that the attendees wouldn’t think so. But, boy was I wrong! It really warmed my heart to know that so many women understood the value of the lesson of my session and I’m pleased to say that it was standing room only! Here are some tips I’ve learned along the way for traveling light, while still having all the things I need to look and feel my best.