Minimalism That Moves: Living Out of a Pelican 1535

Simplicity isn't deprivation—it's speed. Owning less reduced my surface area for stress and made decisions cheaper. I didn't "opt out" of the world. I just made room for the parts I care about.

Introduction

I lived the gear-heavy life—boxes, shelves, backups of backups. It felt safe, but the drag was real. Now I own almost nothing: a car, a computer, and gear that compresses into two Pelican 1615 cases. I never travel with checked luggage—I only travel with a Pelican 1535 carry-on. Oddly, I’m more productive and more connected than before.

The premise: less is leverage

• Less storage → fewer anchors → easier to move quickly when it matters.
• Less gear → fewer failure modes → more uptime for your life.
• Less “maybe one day” junk → more “do it today.”
• Fewer decisions → more consistent routines.

My constraints (by design)

• Everything I own compresses into storage cases; I don't travel with them.
• My Pelican setup:
  1. 1615: clothes for winter or summer, and other specific gear
  2. 1615: files and stuff I keep long term—photos, souvenirs, etc.
  3. 1535: daily clothes and gear — the only case I travel with, and it stores my daily clothes even when I'm home
• Home base: a standing desk and a monitor.
• One computer that does everything. If it breaks, I can replace it in a day.
• One car. No storage unit. No “just in case” inventory.

Staying connected, not ascetic

Minimalism isn’t monk-mode. I run a modern stack, collaborate, ship, and consume like anyone else:

• Cloud-first: docs, notes, backups, photos. Local is cache.
• One high-quality machine; everything else is replaceable.
• Internet > possessions. I’ll pay for great connectivity anywhere.
• Borrow/rent/share: tools, spaces, gear. Buy only for daily compounding use.
• GL.iNet travel router: consistent, private network setup in hotels and cafés.
• Tailscale: same overlay network at home and on the road; remote access to everything.

Systems that make it work

• Fixed containers → automatic limits (if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t stay).
• One-in, one-out → no silent accumulation.
• Modular packing → fast setup/teardown, easy travel.
• The 1535 doubles as my dresser—daily clothes live in it even at home.
• Default tech stack → fewer choices, more output.
• Money as a service layer → rent rarely-used capabilities.

What I actually carry

• When traveling with the 1535 (carry-on only):
  • Laptop + charger + noise-canceling headphones.
  • A minimal wardrobe that works in almost any climate.
  • Chargers, adapters, a compact toolkit, and one backup drive.
  • GL.iNet travel router (with Tailscale) for private, predictable connectivity.
  • That’s basically it. No museum of “future hobbies.”

Trade-offs (real ones)

• Sentimental objects? I keep a few. The rest live as photos.
• Hobbies that require space/equipment are harder (by choice).
• You need to be okay with replacing instead of hoarding backups.

Why it’s worth it

• Mobility: opportunities are easier to say yes to.
• Clarity: less noise, more signal.
• Momentum: the main loop—ship → observe → adjust—stays tight.

How to try this (incremental)

• Pick containers first (storage vs travel). Let space enforce priorities.
• Set a replacement policy: what’s your 24-hour plan if X breaks?
• Move everything you haven’t used in 90 days to a box. Wait 30 more days. Donate/resell.
• Standardize your tech stack; avoid one-off weird gear.

Conclusion

Minimalism isn’t the goal; it’s a tool. The point is freedom—time, attention, and the ability to move when it matters. Owning less didn’t make me smaller; it made my life lighter and my work sharper. I’m still fully plugged in—just without the drag.

If this resonates, the rest of my notes live under the Freedom category.