Embracing a Lighter Existence: Carla Dibello on The Art of Traveling Light
The entrepreneur and celebrity style insider shares how stripping back to just the essentials can lead to clarity; both on the road and in life
At an early age, I was an avid overpacker, driven by the desire to be prepared for every possible scenario. I wanted to be ready for anything that might come up during a trip and to be able to select from multiple options for special moments. If there were certain events or dinners planned for a trip, it was customary for me to pack multiple attire options so as to be prepared for anything. This mentality extended into other areas, making it difficult for me to say no to everything ranging from friendships to social events and business opportunities. This often left me feeling overwhelmed with a clouded sense of purpose. But after years of actively and intentionally working to see things through a minimalistic lens. I’ve learned to let go of that which is not necessary in order to move through life with ease.
While some skills are acquired by way of formal learning, my most valuable skills have almost all come from lessons I have learned in the wild. Travelling lightly is one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned, both in the literal sense, but in the greater meaning of the term as well. Travelling lightly began as a strategy for moving about the world more easily. And while lightening up may have its roots in reducing one’s material items, it expands into a way of life that goes way beyond the material world.
When we cut out things in life that do not serve us, whether that be clothing or household items, we open the door to seeing everything else in our lives that may also not serve us, including the way we spend our time, the company we keep, and energies as a whole. It’s an opportunity to see life with fresh eyes and to recalibrate it to match where we truly want to be. And once we make certain areas of our life clear, the rest will often simply flow.
The Italian novelist Cesare Pavese once wrote, “If you wish to travel far and fast, travel
light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears.” When we
travel lightly in all aspects of the meaning, we create space for that which really matters.
We are no longer distracted by irrelevant contexts, insecurities, or old feedback loops. We are able to take those around us at face value instead of having our perception be mangled by past narratives. We are free to start over, again and again – and in doing so, we are given the gift of experiencing the world, and ourselves, in the best possible light.
Emotional and mental baggage directly influence not just how we see the world, but how we interact with it as well. This type of baggage weighs down our mind, psyche, and even bodies, making it harder to make clear decisions, solve problems, or engage in anything wholeheartedly. But when we cut out the burden of a cluttered life, we are able to see more clearly what is meaningful and what adds value.
In embracing the philosophy of travelling lightly, I have discovered a profound truth: the simplicity of shedding unnecessary physical and emotional burdens is the ultimate secret to transforming our lives. It is a lesson that extends far beyond the contents of a suitcase or even our homes. By liberating ourselves from what no longer serves us, we create space for personal growth, genuine connections, and a deeper understanding of the world and ourselves. In embracing a lighter existence, we unlock the potential to flow naturally, to embrace the beauty of each moment, unburdened and unobstructed, as we journey forward with clarity and purpose.
Photography: Efraim Evidor. Styling: Imogene Legrand. Hair: Sisters Beauty Lounge. Make-up: Tilly Newman.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s September 2023 issue
