http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.the5kilotraveller.com en-us Mon, 04 May 2026 16:40:15 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/post/161760/from-solo-travels-to-global-recognition-what-the-journeywoman-wisdom-award-really-means-for-me/ Winning the JourneyWoman Solo Travel Wisdom Award feels like a profound validation of a philosophy I’ve lived by for nearly 10 years: that the best journeys are the ones where we strip away the excess.Being recognised by a global community of trailblazing women proves that true travel wisdom isn't about how much you carry, but how much you are willing to let go. This award isn't just for me; it’s a shared celebration of every woman who has ever dared to trust her own compass.TL;DR: Winning t... Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/#post161760 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/post/160778/5-packing-light-truths-i-wish-i-knew-before-my-first-trip/ Hindsight really is a wonderful thing. My Dad said to me once that I didn't need to make every mistake possible, and that I could learn from others (this was in my later teens when parents know nothing.) So, at the risk of sounding very much like my Dad, here are five things I wish I'd known, or someone had told me, before I went on my first trip with just a carry-on bag.... Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:21:21 +1300 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/#post160778 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/post/157191/safe-and-solo-12-essential-solo-travel-safety-tips-for-solotravellers/ Staying safe is engrained in women, and for solo female travellers it’s just something we have in the back of our mind at all times. Yes, it would be great to not have to focus on women fixing the problem, but rather fixing violence against women full stop. But I must park that wee rant, and focus on sadly, the reality. As solo female travellers, we do need to look after our safety.This blogpost covers solo travel safety tips, personal safety strategies, and practical advice for anyone plannin... Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/#post157191 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/post/151002/the-journey-so-far-memoir-writing-is-about-the-journey-not-the-destination/ The hardest thing I found about writing memoir wasn’t what to put in, it was accepting that life will keep changing after the final page. In light of The Salt Path saga, I been wanting to add my opinion for a while now – not on the book/movie, but on the process of writing memoir; the truth, the memories and recollections, the expectations of readers, and the stuff you leave out to protect yourself and others.... Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/#post151002 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/post/149239/travelling-light-living-fully-a-journey-through-japan-and-beyond/ If you’re here after seeing the recent New York Times article on packing light, you’re in the right place. I’m truly grateful that so many of you have joined this journey toward travelling lighter—not just in your backpack, but in your life. And as always, I’m extremely grateful to those of you who have stuck around for the long haul.The 5 Kilo Traveller (that’s 11 pounds) is about more than just carrying less weight on your trips. It’s about embracing freedom, clarity, and presenc... Tue, 22 Jul 2025 07:59:00 +1200 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/#post149239 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/post/100995/how-to-pack-a-light-carry-on-backpack-for-2-weeks-or-2-months/ Before you start packing for your exciting adventure in Europe, Asia, South America, or anywhere else, read this travel blog! Whether you’re packing for two weeks, two months, or more, this guide on packing light has got you covered. You don't need to bring everything you own!As you dive into this guide, keep an open mind. I’m not the only one who travels light. My personal carry-on goal is 5 kilos (11 pounds), but others set their limit at 7kg (13 lb) – the typical carry-on limit for most... Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:16:16 +1200 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/#post100995 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/post/143567/packing-light-the-1-mistake-travellers-make-and-how-to-avoid-it/ You know that feeling when you’re about to head off on a big adventure? Excitement bubbling, plans falling into place—but then comes the packing. Suddenly, what should be a simple task turns into a battle of "what ifs" and "just in case" items. Before you know it, you're staring at a suitcase that barely closes, or a backpack that’s bulging at the seams, wondering how on earth you'll manage. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The biggest mistake travellers make when trying t... Mon, 31 Mar 2025 15:50:00 +1300 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/#post143567 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/post/142233/simplify-your-life-declutter-travel-lighter-live-freer/ Life has a way of getting cluttered. From our homes to our schedules, from our wardrobes (including our travel wardrobes) to our travel plans, the sheer weight of decisions and belongings can feel overwhelming. But what if you could strip it all back? What if simplifying wasn’t about having less, but about having more—more freedom, more ease, more joy? In my pursuit of travelling lighter, decluttering and simplifying crossed over into my everyday life. I remember returning home from Cro... Mon, 24 Feb 2025 15:54:04 +1300 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/#post142233 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/post/59388/solo-travel-saved-my-life--make-that-my-mid-life/ An updated version...Solo travel was the reboot I needed at the age of 49. My four-week solo adventure kickstarted my next chapter in life. It launched me into my 50's and the reverberations of that trip are still with me today.Creating the blog, doing the social media thing, and now creating courses for 'The 5 Kilo Traveller' has been one hell of a journey. It's a journey of overcoming fears and challenges, self-doubt and "who am I to do this?"But it started with my solo trip.... Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:01:22 +1300 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/#post59388 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/post/114227/5-great-reasons-to-travel-solo-travel-light-in-japan/ After nearly four weeks in Japan, it is at the top of my list of best countries to travel light and travel solo in. Especially solo female travellers. When you visit Japan, you will experience the exquisite culture where every detail is deliberately perfect. Whether it be the hospitality, the food, the gardens, the shrines and temples, the transport and the accommodation – it is all done with the most incredible attention to detail.Japan is a feast for all your senses, and it can be done with ... Thu, 23 Nov 2023 07:28:02 +1300 http://www.the5kilotraveller.com/blog/#post114227