Traveling is like an addiction. Once you’ve had a taste of it, you can’t stop. I try to go somewhere a couple of times a year. Last year in 2019, I travelled to over 10 locations. Some were just day trips, some were flying and some were overnight road trips. I had so much fun being away from my backyard and explore different cultures and environments. I want to do just that in 2020.
The one thing that I dislike most about traveling is figuring out what to pack for each trip! My issue with packing is that I get paranoid that I may have under-packed or I would forget something. Or I might need something and I’d regret it if I didn’t pack it. So I started to make a list of things I want to bring with me based on the environment, weather and occasion. I also have to put myself in the mindset that less is more.
So for those of you who need some pointers on how to pack less, but efficient, keep on reading!
Make a List – Whether or not you will actually be packing these items, it’s good to make a list of the things you want to pack and narrow it down to a reasonable size. I love making lists so this is definitely not an issue for me. It also helps me remember what to pack. I’m less likely to forget something if I make a list and check them off as they go in my bag. I’ve been using my Archer and Olive Bullet Journal to make my packing lists and I also have a little fun with it. I make my packing lists aesthetically pleasing because it makes me happy and it’s something nice to look back on.
Pack light! – When I am planning a weekend trip, I pack everything in my backpack; extra shoes included! But if you prefer to use a carry on roller bag or duffel, go with what you are most comfortable with! Being a minimalist in this way makes you stress less. It really helps you to really think about what is actually needed for your trip and what isn’t. I pack the exact amount of clothing items I will need and if for some reason something happens and I am short on clothes, I know there are stores around for me to purchase something if necessary. It isn’t the end of the world if you didn’t pack enough of something. As for toiletries, I condense a majority of my liquid face products into little contact lens cases. Did you know they are so versatile?! I’ve been doing this for over a year now since I’ve discovered this hack. Not only does it relieve a lot of space to pack more important things, but I can fit 5-6 of these contact cases in my TSA approved zip lock bag and not have to worry about getting my bag pulled out to the side and get inspected. If that’s not a win, I don’t know what is!
The Roll Technique – Not only does this help to save space, but it helps to pair your outfits together. How I like to do it is by layering a pair of pants and a top and roll them together to compress my clothes better and save space. Most of the time I only pack one pair of jeans and either one or two pairs of leggings as leggings are less bulky. I am not against rewearing clothes, so if you aren’t either, you’ll definitely save a lot of space by bringing one or two pairs of pants to last the whole trip. As for undies and socks, If I bring an extra pair of sneakers, I will roll them and put them in my shoes.
Wear your bulky items – Any large items of clothing or shoes should be worn on the plane if you are flying. Winter traveling is definitely harder to pack light for. When I was traveling to Banff in January, one of the things I was worried about was not being able to pack light. I wore as much as I could on the plane and carried my heavier jacket with me. It doubled up as a blanket when it got chilly. I have a Patagonia jacket that is made for travel. There is an inner pocket inside the jacket that is specifically made so you can tuck the jacket into the pocket and zip it right up! I like to clip this jacket to my backpack in case I need extra layers, saving space!
Keep Unnecessary Electronics at Home– I know, we all feel like if we don’t have our electronics with us, it’s the end of the world! But it isn’t. Don’t attempt to bring your laptop, tablet, phone, e-reader with you on the plane or road trip. You won’t need it. Plus the more electronics you have the longer it will take for you to get through TSA. I used to pack my laptop and my iPad into my bag because I always felt like I needed it just in case work calls. But you know what? If you are on vacation and are not obligated to work, then you shouldn’t have to worry about it. A tablet definitely helps to save space if you feel it is necessary to have something that can help you reach work. Your vacation is a time to relax and be away from real life obligations. So keep that in mind when you are planning your next trip!
Traveling more often in the last couple of years has taught me what works best for me when packing light. I used to worry about packing items that I might end up not wanting to wear, so I would pack more items of clothing. But I’ve learned to not stress the small stuff. I’m traveling for the experience, not to look amazing. No one is going to care about what you are wearing. And if you yourself care, then I would suggest packing basics instead of extravagant and bright colors. The reason being is because you can’t go wrong with the basics and they are forgettable and less noticeable.
I wish you all good luck and let me know in the comments how you travel light!
