Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences we can have. The world is such a big place, it's a crime to stay in one spot.
For me, traveling gives me a short break from the "Real World" where I can get out of my house and see something new--even if that "something new" is just a state away.
Packing to travel somewhere new is not as great. I travel pretty frequently--usually flying back and forth from Maryland, but this past week I made my way down to Georgia. The trip itself was fantastic--I still find myself wishing I could be back.
But, as I often do, I put off packing until the last minute. And it sucked.
So, here are 10 tips to make packing for your next vacation a breeze!
1. Make a list a week before.
This should always be your first step--the earlier you start, the better. Make a list of everything you'll need--from clothing to toiletries--and then see what you have and what you need to buy. There's nothing worse than making a late-night Walmart run the night before your flight because you're out of shampoo!
2. Stock up on travel-sized everything.
Especially if you won't be checking a bag. Airports only allow small amounts of liquids in a container on a plane--and plus, who wants a whole shampoo bottle taking up all that space? The larger items you bring, the fewer souvenirs you can take home!
3. Invest in a box of ziplock bags.
Have a ziplock bag for your shampoos, a bag for your toothbrush and toothpaste, and a bag for dirty undergarments. Don't pack your soaps and your toothbrush in the same bag--the last thing you want is for something to explode all over the thing you clean your teeth with.
4. Pack light.
I'm always guilty of packing more than I need. Going away for three days? Let me bring seven shirts. Going on a trip with an itinerary and little to no downtime? Better bring my homework just in case! Don't be like me. Only bring the essentials. Pack enough clothes to wear one day each and clothes to sleep in--but remember that you can reuse your traveling outfit on the day you leave and the day you come back!
5. Pack your clothes tight.
Roll things up. Condense as much as you can. Look up different tricks on YouTube, even--but the smaller you can pack your clothes, the more room you'll have. See #4.
6. Keep your chargers in one place.
There's nothing more terrifying than being a thousand miles from home, tearing your suitcase apart because your laptop charger isn't in the same place where you left your phone charger and now you're positive you left it behind.
7. Pack some essentials in your carry-on.
Again, pack light. Don't bring things you don't need. Make sure you take any urgent medications, provisions for the unnerving possibility your luggage gets lost, and something to keep you occupied on the flight.
8. Pack some snacks in your carry-on for long flights.
Those honey-roasted peanuts the flight attendants give out have like seven peanuts in them--and unless you paid for overpriced Chick-fil-A at the airport terminal, you might get hungry on those longer flights. Pack something light, just in case.
9. Always keep a clean change of clothes in your carry-on.
See #7. If your luggage gets lost in the shuffle of the airport, you could be stuck in a strange place without a change of clothes. Who really wants to go out and buy a whole new outfit on their first day? Not me. And besides, having a clean pair of underwear is always handy, no matter where you travel.
10. Take your list with you.
Going back to #1, take that list you made with you. That way you know exactly what you took on the way down, and you'll know exactly what you need to take on the way back up. When the vacation comes to an end, you'll want that list to start the process all over again.
