We’ve all been this person at least once (some of us are repeat customers). We get caught up with everything that’s happening that we forget that we will be travelling to another state or even another country and suddenly it’s the day before. You frantically make a list of things you think you’ll need and make a trip to the store, hyperventilating over the travel aisle adding things to your cart that weren’t on your list, but it’s in the travel section, so of course you need it, right? You make it home and look for the first available suit case or duffel and start piling things inside, barely looking at the clothing as it falls inside and then you spend a solid 20 minutes sorting through the jigsaw puzzle that is now your suitcase. And as you continue to pack, the little voice in your head starts telling you you’ve over packed or you’ve packed too little, and now you’re back to making a list of things you might need.

Stop!

Let’s break it down to what you actually need. Ready?

1. Documentation
2. Self-Care
3. Electronics
4. Clothing
5. Entertainment

Documentation

Make sure your IDs are up to date, nothing’s expired. If travelling out of the country, make sure your passport is still valid and that it will work as an ID to what ever country you are going to. Also make a little note card with emergency contact information on it.

Self-Care

This includes some cold medicine, sun screen and bug spray possibly, a journal, shampoo and conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste. Keep bandaids and antiseptics handy. Keep hair products and make up to a minimum, these can take up a lot of space and you’ll find you won’t really be using them that much. Bring any other personal items that you need, such as prescribed medication and feminine products.

Electronics

Charge everything! Charge the extra batteries that are still in the box from the camera you just bought, charge the external battery for your phone, your laptop, tablet/iPad. Unless the trip is specifically unplugged, please don’t forget to do this. You will need it later.

Clothing

Don’t forget underwear. And socks. If you are going out for 3 days, pack 1 sleepwear, 1 formal, 1 casual, and 1 in between. Consider a swimsuit. If you are traveling for a longer period, don’t feel compelled to pack something for each and every day you will be gone, rather, learn the beauty of basic mixing and matching. Bring 3-4 tops and bottoms that compliment each other in a number of different ways rather than bringing your whole closet. So breathe, empty out what you’ve packed and start putting things back on hangers, you will be okay!

Entertainment

In this era of technology, you might not really need to bring much in this department. I suggest light reading, maybe a book you’ve been trying to read since last summer in your spare time, a coloring book, maybe a small board game if you know you will be with other people and there will be time to play.

Put everything else away! Gone through the list and find you have extra things? Go through them, chances are you will not need them. Travelling will be exhausting and possibly long, and nothing makes it worse than having over packed. Nobody likes carrying more than they need to. Before leaving, make sure to eat something and to take a quick shower, and don’t forget your keys and lock up!

Good luck on your travels, it’ll be great!