For someone who loves to travel as much as I do, I certainly do have a strong distaste for packing… and I know I’m not alone in this. Since it is 110% necessary to have a suitcase full of the things you want and need to have the kind of trip that you’re going on, you would think that, especially for the dream vacations, you could easily motivate yourself to check the box. However, it never seems to be that simple, does it?
Prior to the pandemic, I was traveling 50-60% overnight for my job and was actually in the middle of a twelve week straight stretch in which I would only be home on weekends. Not to mention, on weekends I was traveling from North Carolina back to Pennsylvania to visit my long-distance boyfriend (now husband) and family and/or taking little trips for pleasure. It was chaotic and adventurous all at the same time, but what that lifestyle meant for me was that I was packing a lot.
Although I may not enjoy packing much more than I did when I started, I am now much better at it. It was out of pure necessity that I developed tricks and systems for making the inevitable deed easier on myself. These are the things I do to pack as efficiently and effectively as possible so that I can cross it off my to-do list and get to the actual fun part prepared. I hope these packing tips will help you too!
1. Do Your Laundry
This one is critical! Do your laundry ahead of time so that you have what you need when it’s time to pack. Nothing is worse than waiting until the last minute to pack and then realizing that you have one pair of socks left and your favorite pair of shorts are in the bottom of the hamper.
You will already be returning home with a suitcase full of dirty laundry, so do your future self a favor and wash absolutely everything so that you’re one step ahead when you get home. However, if your life is particularly nuts and you don’t have the time, at least think ahead to the types of clothing that you will need and wash those loads. Trust me, you will thank yourself.
My husband and I just made the trip home from NC to PA to visit family over Valentines Day weekend and I did six (yes SIX– I do a lot of sorting) loads of laundry in advance of our packing. Was it a major pain in the butt? Ohhh yeah. Did it take a long time? Absolutely. BUT, when it came time to pack we had what we needed and when we returned home, we filled our empty hampers with our dirty clothes rather than piling them on top of already full baskets. Now, in three days when we take our celebratory *first valentines as a married couple* trip to Asheville, we probably won’t even have to do laundry to have what we need!
2. Think Through Your Itinerary
Before packing, I always look at my calendar and count out how many days and nights I will be away. This keeps me focused on exactly how many outfits I need to bring. It also allows you to ask yourself questions like “okay, now how many pjs do I need? Can I get away with wearing a pair twice”? Questions like these provide direction and get your mind focused on the task ahead.
3. Check the Weather and Plan Accordingly
Listen, I don’t care how many times you’ve been somewhere and/or think you will be safe to just pack for the season, assuming is setting yourself up for problems at one point or another. Every time I go on a trip, I check the weather the week of to see the general temperature and get a feel for what I need to be packing. That way I can start planning outfits and prepping for any weather-related items I will need such as sunscreen, umbrellas, or gloves.
This isn’t always possible, but if you have the space, it is usually a good idea to bring a jacket, jeans, and socks no matter the weather. I’m always cold so when the forecast shows 90s and sunny skies, I know that there’s a 99% chance that every building will have the A/C cranked and I will freeze. Rather than suffer while dining and shopping indoors, I’ve learned to pack a little sweatshirt and take it with me.
4. Make a Packing List
I have a permanent packing list in a note on my phone. Since I travel so much, I’ve gotten myself to the point where I can pack independently; however, when I’m “done” I check it over to make sure I’m not missing anything. This little ritual has saved my butt on numerous occasions from showing up to work in a dress and sneakers because I forgot to pack work shoes, for example.
If you don’t travel as often, a packing list is an excellent way to move through the process. You start with the first thing on the list and only move to the next once you have the former. Before you know it, you’re packed and you didn’t forget anything! As simple as it may sound, it’s genius.
5. Keep Your Suitcase Partially Packed
No, I am not giving you permission to leave your suitcase unpacking until the next time you have to pack. In fact, I highly discourage that because it only makes your packing more taxing next time. Yes, I will admit that I am one of the weirdos that actually unpacks their suitcase completely when returning home, but regardless that is not what we’re talking about here.
Make things easy for yourself and leave extras in your suitcase. I bought mini silicone travel containers from Target and each time I return home, while unpacking, I refill my bottles with my shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and face wash for the next time. Leave a mini hair brush, travel toothpaste, extra toothbrush, deodorant, and/or anything else that you can think of that you will always need when staying somewhere other than your home in your suitcase. Not only does this prevent you from leaving the essentials at home, it also saves time, thought, and energy knowing these things remain permanently packed. Pro tip: Minis are a lifesaver that way you are always within TSA guidelines when flying.
This may not be relevant if you only travel a few times a year for vacation; however, if you are traveling as much as I was, it can also be a good idea to just leave extra clean socks, undergarments, etc. in your suitcase that you didn’t use from the last trip that way you have a base starting point.
I also used to leave an umbrella permanently packed in my bags in the event I was somewhere that I had to walk a lot, like NYC, and would need it.
6. Pack a Laundry Bag
This one isn’t necessary and can be counter productive if you are flying, but for a car trip it is nice to take a laundry bag. This doesn’t have to be fancy. Before I bought a cute one, I literally used a clean trash bag. Throw it in your suitcase and then as you dirty your clothes, throw them in the bag so they are separate from your clean clothes in your suitcase. This way, your environment stays cleaned up, and you have them all in one place ready to be sorted and washed when you get home.
7. Use Packing Cubes
If you’re going on a longer trip, like more than just a weekend, packing cubes are nice because they serve as a visual packing list themselves. You can put little things like your socks, underwear, and masks in the small containers so that you have an easier time finding them. Larger cubes can be used to separate out different categories like work clothes, workout clothes, and pjs. Then, your suitcase is super organized and everything is easy to find.
8. Make it Fun
If you dread packing like I do, try your best to make it fun! Fantasize about the trip you’re about to go on (if applicable), throw on wireless headphones or blast music through your speaker, and get to it. The best way to deal with packing is to quit fretting and just get it over with!
Do you like packing? Are there any tips you have that make packing easier for you or any that you plan to try for your next vacation? We could all use some help in this area so I’d love to hear in the comments below!
