Packing use to be the most stressful part of traveling for me because there was no order to my routine. I would miss the essential items and overfill my luggage with unnecessary things. Over time, and after many mistakes, I developed the ultimate packing guide that I swear by. These are simple, mindless things that will help you stay organized and leave you with enough room for all those must-have souvenirs.
CHECK THE WEATHER
Check the weather where you’re traveling to and pack accordingly. If it is going to be hot, bring one cold item. If it’s going to be cold, bring one hot item. Mother Nature is fickle and being prepared for the unexpected is key to a comfortable vacation.
MAKE A PACKING LIST
Before anything else, make a list! Packing unnecessary items is going to take up extra room and make your luggage pointlessly heavy, so do your best to avoid it. A list will save you space and ensure that you don’t miss items along the way.
PACK YOUR CARRY-ON LIKE A PRO!
This is KEY! Airlines lose luggage all the time and eventually you will be on the receiving end of that mishap. To avoid a mental breakdown, pack your carry-on with essentials items: extra undies, face wash, deodorant, outfit, charger, and whatever you can’t go 24-72 hours without. On that note: never pack expensive gear in checked baggage. People steal. Bring it with you. ALWAYS! For more tips on packing your carry-on, check out Carry-On Essentials post!
FILL YOUR SHOES
Speaking of rolling your clothes, if your shoes are clean, I recommend filling them with small items. Stuffing your sneakers with perfume, socks, and/or jewelry can save space and keep breakables safe.
ROLL DON’T FOLD
Folding your clothes will take up critical space that you could use for souvenirs, and no one wants to do that!
LAYER YOUR TRAVEL OUTFIT
Layering is great for bulky items that are difficult to pack. Thick and awkward articles can weigh the luggage down and take up space equivalent to 3 outfits. Wear big comfy clothes while traveling. You can always remove your jacket and attach it to your luggage if it’s hot at the airport. It also makes for a great pillow during long flights.
DRYER SHEETS FOR DAYS
Y’all, people stink. Let’s combat that with a fresh laundry smell. Easy as that. This will keep your clothes smelling clean and no one will realize you haven’t washed them in three weeks.
USE PACKING AIDS
Compression bags are my favorite packing aid while traveling. Your clothes may get a bit wrinkly, but the humidity will quickly fix that. These gems will save you more space than you thought possible. I highly recommend investing in one, or five.
KEEP TOILETRIES TOGETHER
Packing toiletries together makes it easy for TSA to identify and check, thus saving you time. It also makes your life a heck of a lot easier when you’re trying to hop in the shower at a hostel quickly. Scrambling around for all of your necessary toiletries has to be my biggest travel pet-peeve. Avoid it and save yourself a headache. I use a lightweight mesh bag from Amazon that allows my toiletries to air out if they’re wet, which naturally avoids mold and goop.
PLASTIC BAG + DIRTY LAUNDRY
I can’t be the only person that has reached for a fresh outfit and pulled out a dirty pair of panties, right? Avoid that by bringing a plastic grocery bag (recycle for the win) and storing dirty clothes there instead of loosely in your luggage. Let’s stay infection free.
What does your ultimate packing guide include? Share your tips and tricks with your fellow strays ♥
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