10 Tips to Make Packing Easier

For many people, packing for a trip is often stressful and exhausting. It takes time, energy, and a lot of thought. All of that can be overwhelming, especially if you’re running behind and your days are already busier than you’d like.

Not everyone loves the process of determining what to bring and what to leave at home, but that’s okay! Packing doesn’t have to be a frustrating experience, even if you’re not someone who is overjoyed at the thought of packing for another trip.

Here are my top ten tips for making packing easier

1) Plan ahead

Don’t wait until a day or even a week ahead to think about what you need to bring. If you can start figuring it out a month (or even more) before your trip, you’ll have time to acquire anything you need that you don’t already have, mend anything that requires it, and make sure you have suitable luggage for the type of trip you’re taking. No one wants to find out at the airport that Grandma Alice’s thirty year old carry-on suitcase is no longer considered carry-on size.

2) Make a list

You may think you’ll remember everything you need, especially if it’s for a trip you take regularly, but in my experience there’s always something that almost gets forgotten, or worse, actually does get left at home. Whether you have a comprehensive packing list you pick items from or make a new list for each trip, the knowledge that you’re less likely to forget things takes away a lot of the stress.

3) Check the forecast

Even in the most predictable climates, there’s always a possibility of unusual weather. Check the forecast a week before you leave and again the day before to make sure you’re prepared for the weather you’re likely to get rather than just the average. Remember that indoor and outdoor temperatures will differ, so bring a light sweater or jacket for hot weather and plan to layer in cold weather. If it’s supposed to rain the whole trip, make sure your shoes can handle the puddles.

4) Don’t bring clothing that doesn’t feel good

That dress that never feels like it fits right at home isn’t magically going to fit better on your trip, and those shoes that always give you blisters will just make you miserable. You’ll enjoy your trip so much more if you feel comfortable and confident. If you bring items you don’t normally wear because they’re uncomfortable or never look right, you probably won’t wear them while traveling, either. Then they’re taking up space in your luggage you could have used for something you would actually wear on the trip.

5) Bring two clothing options for sleeping

The mistake I make most regularly is assuming that I know what temperature the place I’m sleeping will be, and packing only for that, and it comes back to bite me when I’m too hot or too cold at night. If possible, bring something short-sleeved and something long-sleeved, even if one of the options is a daytime or lounge outfit that can be repurposed for sleeping in if needed.

6) Use packing cubes

Whether it’s for the simplicity of being able to unpack and repack without messing up your neatly-arranged clothes, better organization, or just because you like how it looks to have everything in its own place in your bag, packing cubes are more than worth the tiny bit of space and weight they take up. Some people prefer compression cubes or ziploc bags, but I think rectangular packing cubes fit well in most luggage and hold just the right amount without making my bag too heavy.

7) Weigh and measure your luggage

If you’re traveling by plane, make sure to weigh and measure your luggage before you leave the house. Some airlines are more stringent than others, so check the websites for every airline you’ll be on for their size and weight requirements. You can stand on a scale with and without your bag or use a luggage scale, but either way you’ll know how much you’re bringing and whether you have space to bring anything back with you. Don’t end up in a position of trying to talk the airline into not gate-checking your carry-on because it doesn’t fit in the sizer.

8) Don’t bring everything you think you’ll want

Unless you’re lucky enough to have servants to carry your mountain of luggage, you can’t bring every single thing you’d like to have with you during the trip. Accepting that you can’t just load up your entire closet and half of your belongings every time you travel may be difficult, but doing so will simplify travel immensely. Bring what you know you’ll need, and reduce everything else as much as possible.

9) Do bring the things that matter most

If you know that having your sound-canceling headphones will keep you sane while traveling or that you can’t function without your morning caffeine, that’s fine. It’s important to know yourself well enough to determine what will make the biggest difference in your happiness on your trip. Make sure to bring what you need to take care of yourself, even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else. Some people need skin-care products, some people need a stuffed animal.

10) Try not to worry too much

I know it’s difficult not to worry when you’re trying to predict your needs while away from home, but most of the places you’ll visit have stores, too, and if you realize during your trip that you really do need more sunscreen or another shirt, it’s highly probable you can acquire it without too much trouble. The people who live there have to be able to get those items, too, after all. Bring what you know you will definitely need or can’t get at your destination, and then take a deep breath and remind yourself why you’re traveling in the first place.

Conclusion

There you go! These simple strategies can make your packing easier and less stressful. I have confidence in your ability to pack what’s right for you on your next trip.

I hope these tips make packing for your next trip easier and less stressful. Let me know what helped you and what you learned about your needs when traveling!