The Healthy Minimalist Packing Guide to 3 Months in Crete, Greece
Remote work is one of the biggest topics right now. Whether it’s hybrid with office visits or fully remote, the events of 2020 have propelled many of us to new working situations with a lot of questions about the future of work, circular economies, and how and where we can work.
Necessity is the mother of reinvention. Digital nomads take this to the next level, revolutionizing the concept of work-life balance and leveraging the capabilities of digital tools while working remotely and living an independent and nomadic lifestyle that enables efficiency, resourcefulness, ingenuity, and creativity. Many digital nomads have already been doing this for years, and only recently has it been easier for more sectors to join in on the fun. In the past few years, many countries have even introduced digital nomad visas which allow workers to stay for a period of time, with tax breaks, financial incentives, and other benefits to attract nomads and support economies.
Conscious, sustainable travel? While earning a living and being my happiest, healthiest self? Sign me up!
I’ve been working remotely from home for a few years now with the occasional short trip around the province and to the office, but only recently have I made plans to venture out of my small town in Canada for a longer period of time. I’ve been comfortable, but not actually thriving, let’s be real. Even after being accustomed to not being able to afford to travel for most of my life, the itch for adventure and expanding my comfort zone has become unbearable.
Here I will share my minimalist packing list not only limited to Greece, but really could be applied to anywhere warm and sunny with easier opportunities to swim, hike, explore ancient ruins, play, practice photography, live closer to nature, and work on a laptop. Note that I don’t actually consider myself a minimalist (minimalism was mostly a consumer trend of the West that bypasses the reality of getting to experience a fuller life beyond the material realm), but lightweight minimalist packing is what best enables maximalist dreams. The advantage of prioritizing health, the soul and experience over possessions is that no one can steal anything physically valuable away from you.
The one thing about being a digital nomad or tourist in general is that you have to find a way to tread lightly and give back to the locals in some way, since AirBNBs can disrupt affordable housing, and constantly working while taking up space in cafés can be bad for their business. One of the ways we can give back is by seeking out and supporting the small shops, food growers and businesses that align with conscious, sustainable, ethical, regenerative, place-based practices.
Crete, Greece
Crete is a haven of biodiversity and self-sufficient living, a health nut’s dream. It’s close to one of the famous Blue Zones known for longevity—Ikaria, also in Greece. For a long time, the inhabitants of both the Crete and Ikaria areas have had strikingly low rates of illnesses like heart disease and cancers while living long, happy lives, not solely attributable to genes, but also due to the beautiful environment with sun and sea, healthy connected food-centric communities with delicious local food sourced solely from the island, and reverence and connection to the magical land. The land itself isn’t even fit for efficient agriculture but it’s still possible to subsist solely on what already naturally grows and freely roams there. People are just more relaxed and healthy on an island, especially when abundant foods grow year-round right outside your doorstep. You’ve heard of farm-to-table, but this is a situation that’s more like land-to-cells.
This is certainly not the ultimate minimalist packing list by any means, rather it is born out of my own personal packing list, but I thought it might be useful for anyone looking to pack smart for an upcoming trip to anywhere warm. This packing list will ideally be light enough so that you’re not overburdened by so much stuff, but also enable you to get the most out of a new lifestyle that is possible with the mild climate, island hopping, soothing waters, and abundant edibles—all while working on your laptop!
The Healthy Minimalist Packing Guide to 3 Months in Crete, Greece
MAIN BAGS (according to Air Canada standards)
Backpacking backpack or zip-up luggage bag, as main luggage “carry-on” item
Smaller backpack, as personal luggage item (that can be stowed under your chair on the flight)
Small, foldable or compressible tote for hitting up the farmer’s markets or shops at your destination
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Valid passport/visa (including a scanned or photographed copy emailed to yourself just in case) - I like to carry mine in a travel waist pouch
Car rental documents with international driver’s permit if you’re driving (pre-booked if possible)
Bus/ferry tickets (pre-booked)
Wallet with credit/debit card(s) that can work in your destination (I like my RFID blocking wallet), call up your bank before you leave to let them know you’ll be travelling
Insurance (especially if you’re bringing a laptop, it’s so crucial to get insured! World Nomads travel insurance is nice, but you could also check out your specific company benefits.)
Remember to pick up a SIM card for your phone once you get there! Keep your current one as well as your PIN number to unlock it in case you need it when you get back home.
CLOTHING (organic cotton or natural, non-toxic materials when possible)
Shirts: 3 casual, 1 active tank, 1 long sleeve linen
Pants: 1 hiking, 1 denim, 1 flowy cotton or leggings
Shorts: 1 cotton active, 1 lounge/comfy, 1 denim
4 pairs socks
1 organic cotton sports bra, 1 non-restrictive bralette
3 bikinis/swimsuits
1 hooded sweater
PJs: 1 sleep shirt, 1 sleep sweats/shorts
1 long, light dress (can also just be found at your destination)
Underwear: 4 pairs (just for the menstrual phase, otherwise not necessary!). Pack clean underwear in an organic cotton produce bag that you can also use for food at your destination!
Baseball cap or sun hat
Bandana or large scarf for sun/mosquito cover (optional)
Packable/compressible rain jacket
Packing cubes for all of this (for possibly rolling it all up Marie Kondo style)
SHOES
1 pair Earth Runners (also doubles as sandals)
1 pair barefoot/zero drop/wide toe box (no support) style hiking shoes or runners, ie. Xero Shoes, Vivobarefoot, Altra
1 pair light lounge slippers (for your apartment) - Rhizals or authentic moccasins might be nice here
TOILETRIES
organic hemp or bamboo face cloth
Living Libations face oil (optional, none of the toxic moisturizer/perfume BS)
bamboo toothbrush (I like fine bristles best)
mini toothpaste tube/jar with Living Libations clay/bi-carb toothpaste or other non-toxic toothpaste with hydroxyapatite (I know some people actually prefer a good clean formula with fluoride as it’s just spit out… your choice)
copper tongue scraper
coconut oil as moisturizer (a god-like substance)
3-4 mini bottles of unscented Dr. Bronner’s all purpose castile soap (refillable) - this is invaluable for washing dishes, clothes, surfaces, your body, and even brushing your teeth!
1 gua sha stone (optional, can be heavy but nice to have)
1 pack of non-toxic floss (I like a super packable lightweight brand from my health store called Radius)
30ml shampoo (my favourite brand is Carina Organics) - I don’t use conditioner but any non-toxic biodegradable brand is nice
natural sunscreen (Living Libations non-nano zinc, or you could just go homemade)
small bamboo hair brush or wooden comb
menstrual pads (organic cotton, biodegradable like Organyc or washable like Natissy), or menstrual cup
WORK/ELECTRONICS
laptop, laptop charger and wired mini travel mouse
phone and charger (To reduce nnEMF exposure from iPhones: Bluetooth always OFF, airplane mode always ON unless making a speakerphone call, wi-fi switched on only when using it)
international conversion plug (type C, E and F plugs work in Greece)
voltage converter and universal adapter
USB hub
NordVPN subscription if using wi-fi in public places
wired phone earbuds for calls or music (not Bluetooth), and iPhone headphone conversion cable (if you have one of the newer iPhone models without headphone jacks)
solar powered battery charger
small external HD
camera + any camera gear you prefer
electronics organizer pouch
sketchbook or notebook, pen
GPS for the car (or just use the one on your phone)
MISC.
Kindle or book
1-2 combination locks for your backpack and/or luggage (for if you need to leave your luggage sitting outside a bathroom stall in a washroom, for example)
hair ties
water bottle (optional - living off of bottled spring water might be doable)
leather and wood weighted jump rope
single use contact lenses (particularly if you’re surfing and wear glasses)
sink plug
sanitary face masks for crowded spaces, like ferries
organic cotton sleeping bag/pillow case liner (I got mine from MEC) - communal pillow cases are nasty!
travel towel (yes, unfortunately these are usually polyester, but it dries really quickly and is super light)
few bags of Traditional Medicinals raspberry leaf tea for any menstrual cramps (no plastic or coated tea bags, or a small bag of organic/homegrown looseleaf raspberry leaves that could be strained at your destination would be ideal)
eye mask for healthy sleep (I swear by the comfy ones from Block Blue Light. Follow the link for 15% off, or use code ROOTTOSKY there for 10% off)
very small spray bottle of magnesium supplement flakes (any type you prefer, I usually go for magnesium chloride) - just add water to dilute it at your destination. Label it with a piece of tape in case of inspection. Or, for a drinkable version: just bring flakes in a regular small bottle and dilute about 1/2 tsp into a glass of drinking water (not metal water bottles). Or: a small squeeze bottle of topical magnesium gel!
30 ml jar activated charcoal (in those tiny reusable cold-pressed juice “health shot” glass jars) - in case of food poisoning
30-60 ml jar of grass-fed collagen or gelatin (since bone broth will likely be too much of a hassle to make)
30 ml jars of any adaptogens, nootropics or other supps you prefer
1 pair blue light blocker glasses or clip-ons for doing any laptop work past sunset and on flights (I like Block Blue Light. Follow the link for 15% off, or use code ROOTTOSKY there for 10% off), plus a pair for daytime if you need them
Tips:
When it comes to small bottles of liquids, check your airline’s restrictions for the amounts.
Carry-on means no sharp objects, so don’t bring your nail clippers! Pick some up at your destination.
If you’re a serial over packer, my best advice would be to take a deep breath and understand this is coming from a place of fear. Go with the flow, and if you’re thinking “what if” while you’re packing, just don’t. You can always buy or borrow anything you need there. If you won’t use it multiple times, don’t bring it. You’ll likely be buying unique things in the shops there, so you’ll want to leave some space for souvenirs on your way back home, anyway. Things like non-toxic soap can easily be found in the average health food store.
If fitness is your priority and you want to maintain your regular routines, plan ahead for this (depending on where you’re going and the activities you’ll already be doing there). If you just want to rest, that’s ok too! Pack any gear you need, a jump rope for in between Zoom meetings, maybe some exercise bands, and small jars of your regular supplements. If anything, you can fall back on some minimalist calisthenics. Non-toxic deodorant optional, but if your diet is clean, you won’t have to worry.
Wear heavier stuff on the plane to lighten the load of your luggage, flights tend to be pretty chilly anyway.
Pack a sink plug and you’ll be able to wash your clothes anywhere you have access to a sink. Fill up the sink with water, pour in a few drops of Dr. Bronner’s as a great natural detergent, and you can easily clean your clothes anywhere (and dry them in the sun!).
Weigh your bags in advance with a hand held luggage scale. If you don’t have one of these, you can take the total weight of you and your bag on a scale and subtract your weight from the total to get the weight of your bag.
If your carry-on gets really heavy, keep in mind that (at least according to Air Canada criteria) your personal item (which for me is usually my smaller backpack) can actually bear a significant amount of weight so you can max out your load by using the amount of weight allowed for your personal item.
Travelling solo is an opportunity to be unapologetically yourself and stop mirroring the patterns of your childhood or those around you. This can be way easier if you’re in a totally new environment. Take this time to get in touch with your priorities, get to really know yourself as an individual, and even surround yourself with new friends on a similar path as you.
Download WhatsApp to connect with anyone you might meet and make free calls/messages regardless of area code. I had never used it in my home country (small town), but it wasn’t until I travelled that I learnt that so many people abroad use it.
If you’re staying more than two months, consider booking a one-way ticket. You never know where life will take you, and you can always find a ticket back home without any problems. Some trips can be very rigid and itinerary-driven, but honestly, I am so drawn to travelling without many fixed plans. There are infinite doors of opportunity waiting for you!
Next, check out my article: How to Stay Healthy while Flying
