Anyone else out there hate packing for a trip? It doesn't matter if it's business or pleasure, I dread the process of packing, sometimes almost enough to wish I weren't going. So because I'm highly motivated to reduce the pain of packing, I've developed a few tricks.
1) Always use a packing list - Using Evernote, I've written packing lists for every conceivable combination of packing requirements including:
- Business Trip in Winter
- Business Trip in Summer
- Business Trip International
- Hot Vacation with No Kids
- Hot Vacation with Kids
- Car Trip with Kids
The lists are very specific, from the exact garment to types of socks like "running socks" and "cosy socks" (I like having a cosy pair to wear in the hotel room). Here's a clip from one of my lists:
2) Use the same carry-on bag every time - By sticking to the same tried-and-true Lug bag for carry-on, I put my stuff in the same place every time. This is faster for packing and causes fewer panic moments of "Oh no, where'd I put my passport" because the passport goes in the passport pocket. The water bottle is in the water bottle pocket. Etc.
3) Collect free make-up bags - What to do with the free bags you get at Clinique bonus time? I use them to store specific stuff. The pink one holds all of my chargers and small electronics. The striped one holds my liquids that get packed in my checked luggage. And I use the same cosmetic bag for the same stuff every time, see point #2.
4) Label your bottles - After airlines changed the carry-on liquid rules, I bought a set of small bottles and transferred my creams and lotions into the pint-sized packages. Only problem was I couldn't remember which one was face cream and which one was hair product. And those are two white substances that I don't want to mix up! So I used my P-Touch labeler to label each bottle and never wondered again.
If you have a voyage coming up, I hope that these tips help make the process a little less painful for you. And if you have tricks of your own, please share in the comment section. I'd love to hear from you.
Genius! I love it!
Posted by: Bryce | Jan 26, 2012 at 06:31 AM
Why yes I am going on a trip - how timely. Love the make-up bag charger idea. And I'm going to look up Evernote right NOW! Thanks.
Posted by: Mavis | Jan 26, 2012 at 07:45 AM
Always to remember to pack a couple snacks (ie. granola bars). You never know when you're going to get delayed!
Posted by: Vanessa | Jan 30, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Good point. I always forget to pack snacks and it would be nice to have an apple and granola bar for when the stomach growls.
Posted by: Heidi (author) | Jan 31, 2012 at 04:58 AM