Packing is both an exciting and stressful part of planning a vacation or trip. You go through your closet and picture yourself across the world on your adventure. Once you start packing, the trip is no longer a fantasy in the works but a reality that will soon be happening! Unfortunately, packing can also be one of the more stressful parts of the trip. You can forget things, not have enough space in your luggage, have too much luggage, or not know what to pack to start! I have gone through the packing processes many times and have come up with some tips to easing up your packing anxieties.
This post may contain affiliate links
1. Get a List/ Make a List
The packing list is crucial to not forgetting anything important before you go. You can make your own or even find one online. The season, location, and length of stay makes a difference in how you need to pack. If you are going on a summer beach resort vacation you will have a very different list then a backpacking trip in Europe! Be mindful of what your intentions are with your trip and assemble a list that suites your needs. Here’s a super simple example of something you can find online with a quick search:
2. Start Gathering Your Stuff
Find an open space to lay everything out clearly. I usually use my bed or the floor. Have your packing list handy and go through everything! Go through the list a few times keep gathering, even if you are unsure if you should bring it.
3. “Pack”
After you have gathered everything, pack as though you are leaving immediately. If you are bringing a carryon and a checked bag, pack these accordingly so they meet regulations (SEE STEP #7). The packing stage helps you see where you stand and how manageable your load is. Don’t worry at this point if you think you are unsure about if you are bringing too much. Get a sense about where you would like to stow your different items as every bag is different and you need to play with what works best for you.
4. Take Stuff Out
Packing lighter is always easier. It’s easier to handle when going from hotel to hotel, and you’ll get less cluttered when you start going through dirty clothing. It’s incredibly difficult for some people (aka me!) to find the line between over packing and underpacking. There have been trips where I brought far too much stuff and felt dragged down the whole time. No one should feel dragged down on vacation! On the other hand I have underpacked often and this has brought its own problems. The biggest issue I have found with underpacking is not bringing layers and warmer clothes. On destinations where I was expecting warmer climates, that doesn’t mean there aren’t windy and rainy days.
This is the step where you should give yourself time to play around with your bag space. If you know you are habitually an over-packer, take half of your things out! I say half because there’s a good chance some items will sneak their way back into your luggage so if you take a larger chunk out you will allow for some wiggle room.
5. Bring versatile items
Bring a jacket that can be casual and a little more formal. Something that can block rain and wind. Plan outfits that are cohesive and you can mix and match. I like to stick to a color scheme because it makes it easier to play around during my trip.
6.Use packing cubes
Personally, packing cubes have made a huge difference for me when packing for trips. It has allowed me to pack all my items in a single backpack instead of multiple bags. And it keeps things organized and separate so it’s easier to find what you are looking for! I don’t need to dig around for a pair of socks when all my socks are in the same place. Certain packing cubes also allow you to pack more as it contains and compresses like this Eagle Creek set. These are great (especially for backpacks), but its important to note that even though you can compress and pack more, it does not mean the weight restriction on luggage goes away. Which brings me to step number 7!
7. Look up luggage weight restrictions
There’s nothing worse then fumbling around with your luggage at the airport when they tell you your bag is overweight. It’s stressful and embarrassing and can be easily avoided with some planning! Take the time to weigh out your luggage and look up restrictions for flights. Give yourself some wiggle room too! You will probably be buying stuff on your trip and will need luggage space to bring it home. If you are using compression cubes, be mindful of the weights of your bags as you may have extra space to spare but more weight than you think!
