 |
| This taxi driver asked me if I was moving while I was on the 10-day overseas trip. |
This is one of those things where some that know me might say this is a “don’t do what I do, do what I say” moment because by all accounts I am the worst packer on earth. You would think as much as I love to travel that I would have mastered the packing game. When the airlines starting charging for bags, I really took it as a way to just ruin my joy of traveling. For those of you who are “master packers” you are already starting to grow impatient with my whining. And, for those less fortunate to have had to be around my luggage on trips, just know I heard all those things you said under your breath and I totally agreed with you then and now.
Without diving into my whole life, let me just say I always loved traveling and the anticipation of it would cause me to start packing sometimes weeks in advance. Still does. Some people pack up four bedroom homes in a shorter time than I pack for a one week vacation. But, it is just so fun to pick out the things you are going to wear for that view, that meal, that moment. I forget that it might not be convenient to get access back to wherever my things are to actually put them on or that when I am enjoying the moment that I will not want to take time to change outfits. I guess, that’s the biggest take is that enjoying the moment is the most important thing ever. I actually feel bad for style influencers because do they ever see, smell, taste, hear what they are actually experiencing or is it all about their clothes and the angle? If you are a style influencer, feel free to reach out because I have always wondered that thought.
So, here is what I have learned….
1. Know your terrain. I know weather is probably on most people’s mind but that seems so obvious, that I just could not start there. And what I mean by terrain, is know if there is an elevator to your room…you’d be surprised how many times there’s not and you are stuck lugging heavy bags up multiple floors. And, figure out if you will be walking to a lot of your plans, going along cobblestone streets, going along uneven pathways or if your particular gate or even room is far from where you can get to your eventual transportation. And, of course, that includes weather in all of those factors because wet, frigid or steamy weather will wreak havoc on that terrain and you. So pack and carry accordingly.
2. Unless you are traveling with people who are fashion designers, does anyone really care if you’ve added a scarf or sweater to that outfit to extend its vacation life? Who knows, even fashion designers might be impressed with your savvier to mix and blend. So pack fewer dresses, pants and tops and more shawls, scarves, and lightweight sweaters to mix it up.
3. Know your ability to clean your clothes. This is a big game changer if you can clean your outfit because no amount of mixing and blending is going to cover that stench. I once took advantage of a cruise liner’s “free” laundry service and sent not only clothing but underwear including socks. Being able to clean your clothes extends their wear thus needing to pack less, or if nothing else, you can maybe come home with clean clothes.
4. Not only know your airline baggage restrictions but your ground transfer luggage capacity (think Uber, Taxi, Shuttle or Car Rental) or even a friend’s luggage capacity in their car. It costs more to have to book the super large vehicles or it could cost friendships if someone has to sit on your luggage for any length of time. Those moments with friends are only truly funny if you’re not the only one causing the discomfort of no space in the car. I once had to pay 50 Pounds to go from one terminal at Heathrow to another because I was flying solo and I had so many bags I couldn’t navigate getting on and off the airport train with all of that luggage. That definitely was money I would have rather spent on something else.
5. Maybe your cutest things are not in your closet yet. Maybe they are waiting for you at your destination. Save room to be able to add pieces while on your trip. For example, if you’re going to the beach, no doubt you will run across a beach bag or sarong so why pack those to begin with? And the beach bag becomes your carry on bag on your way back home.
6. Don’t travel when the weather requires coats, sweaters, hats, boots and scarves. I am joking about this because I love mountains and wintry destinations but it is one area I am failing at when it comes to learning how to reduce packing. My last trip a couple of weeks ago was a disaster as my zipper bag busted and carting my heavy bags was a pain. But, seriously, what do you do when everything is so bulky?
As you can tell, I am a work in progress….or at least I hope.
TRAVEL LIGHTLY, TRAVEL LIGHTLY, TRAVEL LIGHTLY and enjoy your trip!❤️
