If you are a traveler and packing light is not something you are known for, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Packing might be a traveler’s least favorite part about going and leaving a vacation. If your suitcase typically looks like a tornado hit it due to overpacking, then these tips are for you.
Benefits of Packing Light
Let’s look at a scenario – you are running late for your flight; as you try to rush through the airport with your luggage (that weighs 50 lbs), you finally make it to the ticket counter to check your luggage. You are now waiting behind 20 other people who also need to check their bags. You now look to your right and notice the length of the line through security. Most will be thinking, “I wish I would have packed lighter.”
When you are traveling, map out the distance from the airport to your next location—the train station, for example. Now, look at the distance from the train station to your hotel. How far will you be hauling your luggage around? Are there any hills? Is it dirt or paved road? These things do matter for the ones who hate dragging their luggage around.
Packing light solves this problem—and as an added bonus, you won’t have to wait at baggage claim when you land or worry about the airline losing your things.
How Can I Pack Light?
The first step to packing like a minimalist is investing in a smaller bag. It’s time to leave your big suitcase at home and consider only bringing a carry-on. While searching for a carry-on, a lightweight backpack with front-loading pockets is a great choice, or if you need more unstructured space, a weekender tote or duffel bag are excellent options. You can always add packing cubes to keep you organized.
The second step is to do your research and make a packing list. What will the weather be like on your trip? Will it be 90 degrees and sunshine or 20 degrees and snowing? If you are traveling to a sunny location, it’s probably okay to leave your wool jacket and boots home. If you know the weather beforehand, you can plan your outfits accordingly.
Once you make your list, put it aside for a few days and then look it over again. Do you still feel like everything on it is essential? Scratch out what you don’t need and then do a packing trial run. If your bag won’t close, revisit your list and be merciless with your red pen.
Essentials Only
How many times do you come back from a trip and realize you did not wear half of the things you packed? If you’re like most people, probably more than once. Packing too much means there are more things you can lose or forget at your hotel.
Go for matching layers in washable fabrics; if all your tops and bottoms are in complementary color families, you can make a lot of fresh outfits from just a few pieces. Packing light means you may need to do laundry if you’ll be away for a week or more, so avoid pieces that require dry-cleaning.
Here are a few things to consider leaving behind:
- Clothing that does not match the weather
- Any full-size toiletries; either buy travel size or get small plastic containers and fill them with your essential products.
- Jewelry you would hate to lose
- Your blow dryer
- Multiples of the same item, i.e. four pairs of sandals
- Anything uncomfortable
Wearing your heaviest clothing on the plane is highly recommended. If you are going skiing and need your big coat, wear it on the plane – that way you have more room in your carry on.
If you’re a makeup wearer, it’s understandable to want to bring your makeup bag with you on every trip, but it takes up unnecessary space. Trim it down to a few essentials: Moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation if you wear it, one favorite eyeshadow and mascara, and a lipstick that works for every occasion.
Don’t overdo it in the shoe department, either. You really shouldn’t need more than two or three pairs—a good walking shoe, a pair of sandals or flip flops, or boots if you’re going somewhere cold, and potentially a dressier flat or sandal if you’re planning to dress for dinner.
Not over packing and only bringing a carry-on for your upcoming trip might sound impossible, but it certainly is not. For an easy-going, money-saving, de-cluttered trip, try out these tips and watch yourself never overpack again.
Danielle K. Roberts is the Vice President and co-founder at Boomer Benefits, where her team of experts help baby boomers with their Medicare decisions nationwide.
