Products and principles to lead a simple, serene life
My name is Zach. I am obsessed with achieving a simple life through essential minimalism.
Throughout life, I’ve discovered that the keys to my mental wellness lie in engaging conversation, essential minimalism, community, letting go of attachments, showing gratitude, and embracing constant change.
My goal is to achieve the most happiness with the least amount of clutter or complications.
Designed as a safe place to share ideas about achieving well-being, visionswell aims to be a concise and actionable resource for those seeking these same kinds of positive outcomes.
Topics include:
Reviews & recommendations for minimalist products spanning EDC, travel, clothing, and houseware
Personal stories
Mental, social, and career health & wellness
Philosophical exploration & grander questions of existence
I have the same bag, and the mesh water bottle pockets are garbage. I wish they were deeper every time you bend over the bottles come flying out. Other than that, it's a great bag if you're just hopping around town on a day trip.
I had ordinary laundry sheets with me, 2 months trip around south of Europe, it worked out great. I wish I knew about the hooks, paracord and carabiners before the trip
2gal. Zip lock bag, easy to store - don’t need to worry if sink is clean or stopping up. You add clothes, water, soap and zip part way, blow in air, zip rest of way, then roll/shake - drain - add rinse water and homemade softener sheets, repeat, drain, squeeze
I’ve used a plastic bag inside the sink if I don’t have a plug. I don’t always carry plastic bags, but i did seem to pick up bags as I was travelling so always had one.
I backpack, and I camp, and like you, I try to take minimal clothing with me, but I use a different procedure. I always try to wash my clothes at the end of the day and use a sink if one is available, and use the soap and I also squeeze. When done, I put all the wet clothing into a cheap nylon stuff sack and pull the draw string tight, if I'm in the mood I might do a bit more bit squeezing. If I feel my clothing is properly 'dirty,' I sometimes lay the nylon bag on my Tyvek ground sheet and then tread-it with bare feet, like treading grapes. I'll then hang the bag on a tree, or fence and leave it overnight to stew! In the morning, I swish all the 'dirty' water'/dampness out, (it only takes few minutes) and will then secure the clothing to the back of my rucksack, using a simple 12" plastic grip, a bit like a large comb that I affix some items too, its secures on the back of my rucksack and I then hike. I secure the larger items, e.g. a shirt, or a pair of trousers with elasticated shock cord on the top of my rucksack and If the weather is fine, my clothes tend to be dry by the evening.
I have owned Tilley hats for over 40 years, great hat, but they are still hot to wear even with ventilation. And not waterproof. You need to,spay a waterproof coating. I find when travelling you really stick out like a tourist. I found a lighter waterproof hat that folds to travel well. Some of their travel clothes are great. Cheers Vancouver Island.
Nice job! I have the same bag that I use for my daily commute, but now I'm inspired to try it on a trip. I do take minor issue with your statement that the bottle pocket is "way too small to be useful." You may just need to find the right bottle! It perfectly fits my 750ml stainless bottle. Mine's not insulated, but its diameter is 73mm/2.9" if that helps. I also attached a couple of expandable MOLLE straps, which are useful for securing something bulky and/or wet like a blanket or towel.
Nice explanation Zack. I usually apply a taut-line hitch on either one or both ends of the rope. This type of knot makes it easy to adjust the tension of the rope, and in most cases, you can substitute the carabiner with it.
Thank you for the tip! On the carabiner I have an arbor knot, so a similar concept. I think I just like keeping the carabiner as a spare just in case. Every bit of space counts, though, so I’ll keep that in mind! Thank you so much.
I use it constantly. I hesitated paying $40 for a tiny flashlight, but it’s so useful and has earned its place in my EDC. I love it. Maybe check if there’s any prime day deals on it.
Thank you for your comment, but I disagree. It helps me organize and pack less efficiently. It’s essential to comfortable and utilitarian travel to me.
Nice packing! 👍I do pretty similar. tip; I got a pair of expensive (but nice) lululemon shorts with liner that work for lounging, running and swimming! My only problem is if I need another pair of shoes or sandals. Then fitting everything in my cabinzero adv 32 is tight. Still searching for a single perfect footwear..
xeroshoes.com/shop/sandals/ztrek-men/ This brand makes really tiny sandals. I also love my Astral Loyaks. They’re both good options for flat shoes or sandals that can squish down really easily. Hybrid shorts are definitely the way to go to save space too. Thanks for your comment!
A lot of good stuff from Matador. I love my Matador beach towel, but I ended up clipping off the zipper pulls, the noise was annoying, and used the provided pull tabs.
Congratulations on packing like a minimalist. I admire people who can do it. So I thought I was doing good going from 40 pounds to 30. Still working on it ha ha. I have a cabin zero and I am tempted to try next week! I will keep you posted. I will watch a few more videos and give some feedback. So far you have a clear concise voice. Not sure on the music. Cheers Vancouver island Canada .
I appreciate your constructive feedback and kind words. It’s so freeing to do personal item only and it makes me want to travel more. As long as you can get the clothing down the a minimum and get used to washing in the shower or sink it can definitely be done. Good luck on your trip!
That’s a really good suggestion! The regular case is a bit smaller overall but has no room to fit all the other items I have in this pouch. Thank you very much for watching.
@@visionswell Thanks for the reply! I have the XM4s myself, but hate having to dedicate that much space in a one bag trip. The extra items that the Thule could hold is alluring, even if it's a smidge bigger.
That’s a really good call! I do a 2 part where I have a shock cord toggle at the top that tightens around the neck and another loop that tightens around the wider part of the bottle.
I’ve never found anything in the price range with CabinZero’s level of high quality materials and durability. Its minimalistic aesthetic fits everything I want in a bag while still being highly functional. I am in love with this bag.
I appreciate the comment. I try to always normalize the background audio at -24 dB, but perhaps the vocal track was a little too low as well. Thanks for the feedback and I’ll keep working on it.
Checkout MemoBottle mate, I think it’ll keep your Sling slim. And If you prefer more organization pockets, try Bellroy Venture 6L, I own 3 Bellroy Slings, Lite Sling in Black, Venture Sling 6L and 9L in Ranger Green, all of them are great….
Look on the TSA website. You’re allowed one disposable lighter in a carry on. I take it every time. www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/disposable-and-zippo-lighters
Post it notes are a great call! I also considered index cards. The magnet is so helpful at times. Also great for a laundry line or hanging something in a hotel room off the fridge or other metal surface.
I now own three of these! lol. I have the large lite for travel. The mini light and mini light new which I use on weekends [M-F] is work backpack. Bellroy make excellent products and the lite series is my favorite. I also got and travel with Lite Duffle.
I’ve never traveled with a duffle. I may be trying more Bellroy products, though, because I really love this thing so far. It fits all my needs. When you travel with a duffle do you use it as a personal item or store in overhead?
@@visionswell I use duffle for road trips. But on short trips by air I would use this one only for its weight. It would def fit under seat. That and the lite mini sling would make an awesome pair. When I travel with the sling I always keep on my chest. That’s how light it is.
Thank you so much! It’s been the perfect fit for me for travel. I love my other slings too, but this one is so light and functional that it fits so many scenarios. What do you use?
@@visionswell I'm using the Nitecore SLBO5. I tend to mod my bags, so I removed the original hardware, replaced it with Fidlock buckles, added One wrap Velcro for strap management when stowing it away in my backpack or attaching it to the molle. I just wish it was made out of ballistic nylon. Otherwise it's a great sling.
@@harunomiya so what you're telling me is that you're living in 2075? That sounds awesome, though! I've always wanted to get into modding my bags just to add a bunch of internal attachment points, but I'm scared.
@@visionswell 😂 I hear you. I started with a bag I found in a vintage shop. Or buy a knockoff of one of your faves and have at it. I still haven't tried my hand at sewing.
