Are we there yet? No. First we must pack.
Unless I don’t like where I’m going or why, packing is probably the second most annoying part of taking a trip (first place goes to unpacking).
Packing requires planning ahead. Knowing on Monday what I’ll wanna wear on Friday. I gotta make decisions–I can’t take ALL my boots.
Then I lovingly situate each belonging as if it matters once in the hands of airport staff.
But let’s focus on packing. Below are some things I’ve learned along the way.
- Type up a master list of what to pack. If you do nothing else on this list…do this. Save a master list to your computer, tailor it for each trip as needed, and simply print it out. Cross items off as you go. It takes a LOT of the thinking out of packing. Type it up once (I use a spreadsheet) and you never have to remember what to bring! It can be the difference between brushing your teeth and going to bed, and…not brushing your teeth and going to bed.
- Choose your wardrobe way ahead of time. This can be the most time-consuming part of packing, and putting it off until the last minute can be stressful. Maybe you reach for a shirt you envisioned wearing but you realize it’s in the laundry! Or maybe you end up packing stuff you DON’T. EVEN. NEED. Noooo! Instead, I like to give myself a little time over a few days. This also allows time for me to come to terms with the fact that I’m not gonna wear those strappy heels. I’m just not. Why do I even own those?
- Pack shoes separately in plastic bags. Some people like to stick ‘em in shower caps–I prefer plastic bags because I don’t want ANY part of the shoe touching my clothes. And if you separate each pair, you can really get creative with arranging them in your suitcase. Be sure to use the space inside the shoe for packing socks, watches, your lucky neckerchief. Also be sure to save and reuse the bags.
- Pack an empty plastic or mesh bag for dirty laundry. Never got around to wearing that skirt? Best separate it from the jeans you wore in that cab where your seat felt damp. Remember that? What was that? This also makes unpacking a breeze. BOOP! Into the hamper.
- Pack toiletries in zip-seal plastic bags (and when you get home, store them in your suitcase for reuse). They take up little space, they weigh nothing, it’s easy to see what’s in them, and they’re easy to replace when your shampoo decides to explode. Go ‘head and double-bag anything with a history of exploding. Fool me once.
- Consider leaving space for souvenirs. Shopping is all fun and games until you have to lug it home. If you know you’re gonna go nuts at the gift shop, or your sister’s gonna bequeath to you her puffy sweater collection, save space in your bag. Or bring an extra bag if you’re serious.
- Don’t be just another suitcase. Find a way to stand out. Make your bag easy for you to identify AND for others not to grab by accident. It’s true, they only make so many colors. You can get a unique bag, like bright pink with a pineapple-and-poodles pattern. No one else will have that. For good reason.
I have the most common color suitcase–black. How do I know it’s mine?
Is it fancy? No. Is it attractive? Not particularly. Do I recognize it immediately and get out of the airport? Yes.
- When finished packing, pack that master packing list. This will simplify packing for the trip back home. Nothing like mustering the willpower to get off the couch and unpack…and finding you left your glasses behind! Or your heart medication! OR YOUR TACO SOCKS. Save your mom a trip to the post office and don’t leave them there to begin with.
If you follow these tips and still experience a snafu, just make note of it for next time! Sometimes travel-related snafus are so traumatizing you’ll remember them without writing them down. Good luck and happy travels!
If you have more packing/traveling tips, comment below!
Fun stuff. True confessions, I have never typed a master packing list. But I DO love the names of all the toiletries in your bag. Where can I get me some Younger Eyelids??
I do like to wear my bulkiest clothes on the plane to save packing space.
I love the packing list because it’s another way to free up space in my mind! GREAT tip to wear your bulkiest clothes on the plane.
When I find Younger Eyelids I’ll let you know!
I second the bulkiest clothes on the plane tip. I wear winter coats, boots, sweaters, (and fill the pockets with stuff too). I guess when you move overseas and across oceans a lot and have 2 – 50lb bags as your limit, you learn to minimize! I always try to pack at least one nice outfit and it always comes in handy. I also always pack a condom (which I have never had the opportunity to use, but at least I have that covered lol). I too put shoes in a plastic bag (I used ones from the grocery store and just tie the tops). As a man, I pack a little differently, so I usually figure out the number of pants/shorts, then one shirt for every day, number of socks/underwear, belt/hat/coat or anything special like a tie if needed. I then usually add 1-2 more things in each category (1 to wear) and then when all is said and done, I always REMOVE 1 thing from each category because I totally overpacked. I try to get a sense of the weight of the suitcase as I am often close to that magic 50lb limit and have a plan of what I can jettison if it comes to that. I put heavy things like books that won’t be read on the plane in my suitcase as well (and move this to my carry on if the bag is too heavy. Finally, my carry on is packed with easy access to everything I need on the plane. I sometimes put the main stuff I want to use in a little bag inside my backpack and when I sit down, I just take that out and I have everything I need at my seat. My final golden rule of packing is to never overpack to the point where you are sitting on your suitcase with a wine in your hand trying to smoosh it all in lol!
Ooohh I like the idea of removing one thing from each category after! It’s so easy to overpack.