Are we there yet? No. First we must pack.

Chrissy sitting on overflowing suitcase with glass of wine
This was a breeze.

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?
Chrissy staring into her closet, hopeless, saying she'll just buy clothes when she gets there.
  • 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.
A brown-stained dress exclaims to the other items in the suitcase that she fell in a puddle!
  • 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.
Various toiletries plot their explosions inside suitcase.
NOOO don’t, I NEED YOU.
  • 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?

Chrissy showing you the ribbons she tied on her suitcase zippers.
Leftover holiday curling ribbon.

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!