When you travel a lot, packing can either become the bane of your life or a beautifully choreographed art form! There are those who love getting ready to go, and those that put it off until the last possible minute.
Whichever camp you fall into, here are 3 of my secrets to totally stress free packing!
Spoiler alert: it's all about the preparation.
1. Keep it clean.
In the run up to your trip, it is essential to keep on top your laundry!
You never know when your plans will get altered or the weather might change, or you might just decide last second that you really want to take that outfit you wore 3 days ago that looked nice.
Whatever the reason, you need to make sure it is CLEAN!
My trick is to only wear old clothes that I know I definitely won't want to take, and make sure everything else is freshly cleaned.
Whilst this is easier said than done sometimes - who wants to wear an old souvenir tshirt out to lunch? - But it makes things so much easier for someone as indecisive as me!
Bonus stress reliever tip: Want to take something that's in the wash? Pack it anyway! Laundry is getting easier and easier to do on the road, whether you wash it in your hotel room with shampoo (it really works) or check it into the hotel laundry. No worries!
2. Know your luggage.
Knowing what luggage you own is always a good start!
Will you need a small case or a large rucksack for this trip? Are you flying with hand luggage only? What dimensions does the airline allow and which of your bags will fit?
These are all things to consider about before even thinking about packing!
It's also good to learn how much your bag weighs when full to make sure you will NEVER go over the weight limit at the airport.
I usually try to pack everything within my 57L Osprey Farpoint rucksack because I know it will never weigh more than 14kg when full, which is a weight I can manage easily as a solo traveller.
It also fits everything I need for a standard trip (expeditions excluded) with space leftover for my usual keepsake shopping!
Bonus stress reliever tip: Try to find a one-size-fits-all piece of hand luggage that you can take on any airline to make last minute weekend getaways a piece of cake!
3. Lists. Lists. Lists.
24 hours before starting to pack, check the local weather at your destination and start making a packing list.
Writing one on the notes section of your phone helps you to add and delete as you fine tune it.
Going to multiple destinations or over a long period? Go for layers. Never pack more than 10 days worth of clothes.
Try to mentally organise where everything is in your house so that you can throw everything together quickly when the time comes.
I tend to keep old packing lists on my phone (usually because I forget to delete them), which helps to cross check and make sure I've not forgotten anything each time!
Bonus stress reliever tip: Think you've forgotten something or can't find it? Don't worry! Aside from medicine, passports and credit cards, EVERYTHING can be bought either at the airport or at your destination. Even in remote towns in Africa I've found access to anything from SIM cards to home brand toothpaste!
Now you're ready to go!
Turn on your favourite playlist, grab a beer, and pack like the absolute boss that you are!
Read Next: 11 Essentials for Long-Haul Hand Luggage
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