So, you’re getting ready or a trip, but you’re having trouble getting everything put away. No worries, here are some great packing tips so you can travel without worry.
One of the best packing tips I can give is to make sure you have a Dopp kit or toiletry bag. Separating stuff like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other hygiene products into their own bag ensure that not only will they be in one place, and not get jostled during travel, but that in the event of a leak, you won’t get toothpaste all over your clothes and suitcase. If you travel frequently, you should set up a separate set of toiletries from the ones you use at home, and keep them in your dopp kit at all times. This prevents you from having to constantly gather up the toiletries you use at home. If you keep a set exclusively for travel, and you know where that bag is kept, then you can just grab it, put it in the suitcase, and not have to worry about it for the rest of the packing process. That means you have a less stressful time packing, and a less stressful time unpacking. It’s win-win.
If you’re bringing large coats, heavy boots, or other bulky items of clothing on your trip, one of the best packing tips is to not pack them, but instead wear them while traveling. Large boots, for example, can take up a lot of room in a suitcase and will make your luggage heavier. Both problems that can be solved if you just wear them while traveling. Large, heavy coats or jackets are another thing you can wear while traveling to free up luggage space. Down jackets on the other hand, you can put in your suitcase, because they can actually compress down a lot. If you have to pack multiple pairs of shoes, or if you do end up packing boots in your suitcase you can still utilize the space efficiently by storing small items like socks or underwear inside the shoes. This tip really only applies if you’re going to a place where these kinds of things are needed, and on how willing you are to be slightly uncomfortable while on an airplane. But hey, slightly uncomfortable is kind of the default airline experience, so you should be fine.
The next of my packing tips is also just a solid life tip in general, and one I continuously struggle with. As it turns out you can fit more clothes and items into a suitcase if those clothes are folded properly. While you can absolutely get away with just stuffing your clothes into a suitcase without folding them, I can say from experience that this isn’t an ideal way of doing things. Folded clothes fit into a suitcase better, are easier to organize, and make unpacking less of a chore. Yes, it may seem like you’re doing more work, but once you get into the habit of doing this, the time you save by having an organized suitcase more than outweighs the time spent doing the folding. Folding your clothes is also just a good habit to have in general, as everything I said about packing them also applies to storing them. Another great thing about packing neatly folded clothes is that you can more easily organize them, and the efficient use of space may even let you bring spares if you think you might need them. Good habits pay off.
Next on our list of packing tips is one of the most important ones, don’t overdo it. One of the best ways to avoid overpacking is to do your research and plan accordingly. Take into account how long your trip will be, what the weather will be like at your destination, and what you intend to do while you’re there. You won’t need a week’s worth of clothing if you’ll only be gone for a couple of days. While it’s generally a good idea to bring an extra change of clothes in case of emergencies, don’t overdo it. Make a checklist of what you’ll need, and don’t put anything extra in your suitcase until everything on that list is packed. Also, the more time you have to pack, the more organized you can be about it. Don’t wait until the day before your trip to start packing. I’ve done that before and it’s a terrible idea, would not recommend it. If you pack at the last minute, you’re going to forget something, guaranteed. Use your time wisely, know what you need to bring and gather it up beforehand, and you’ll be in a much less stressful position.
The final entry on our list of packing tips can in some cases be an absolute lifesaver. If you have things that you want easy access to, or don’t want to risk losing in the arcane depths of the luggage system, don’t put them in your suitcase. Instead, make sure things like medication, phone chargers, computers, or other useful things are in your backpack or carryon. Using a carryon bag not only frees up room in your suitcase, but it also means that if things don’t go as planned, and the airline accidentally sends your suitcase to a place other than your destination, you still have the majority of your important or valuable items with you. If you’re dead set on bringing heavy boots or something, you can put those in your suitcase and transfer some of the clothes to a carryon bag. All of the previous tips apply to your carryon bag or backpack as much as they do to a suitcase, and an inefficiently packed carryon can be even more of a hassle than an inefficiently packed suitcase. However, an efficiently packed carryon can in some cases negate the need for a suitcase at all, if the trip isn’t very long and you’re really smart about it.
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