Forgot How to Pack for a Vacation?

Whether you’re a notorious over packer or are afraid to forget something this is the article for you. As the world is opening back up to travel a quick reminder of the things you would need for a quick get away.

Let’s say your going on a 3 day trip. What are the first things you need to think about?

1. Phone, keys, wallet, face masks

It’s just like you’re heading out the door for a regular day. These are the key essentials that can get you anywhere #duh. Number one priority items. Anything else that is forgotten can be purchased while you’re out; but it’s more convenient to just bring them in the first place.

What’s the next step going a little deeper

1. If you’re traveling by air you will need ID/passport, face mask, vaccine card or negative COVID test (check the airline’s regulations), and hand sanitizer is recommended.
2. What’s the weather like where you’re headed? This will tell you how you need to be prepared. Will you need jackets and scarves or shorts and flip flops?
3. Chargers and cables for the tech you’re bringing with you. Do you need an outlet converter?
4. Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss. These are essential!

Now’s the real deal. The bulk of your planning

1. Clothing for 3 days:
   • Tops
   • Bottoms
   • Under garments
   • Socks
   • Shoes/slippers
   • Pajamas
   • Jewelry
   • Swimsuits
   • Extra jackets or sweatshirts
2. Do you need any workout clothing or lightweight equipment like resistance loops?
3. Medications or vitamins/supplements
4. First-aid basics: Band-Aids, Advil/Tylenol, sunscreen
5. Feminine hygiene products
6. Technology and entertainment items like a good book or Kindle
7. Extra contacts/glasses, retainers or anything like that

The morning of:

1. Grab everything you used in the shower and either pack it or make sure you have a travel size of it
2. Same for hair care, makeup and skincare
3. Anything else you need to get ready for the day that you couldn’t pack the night before.

Organizing your bag:

Having separate bags for different items is a total game changer!

1. You can find super lightweight, inexpensive packing cubes online for clothing and loose items.
2. A separate bag for dirty laundry so they aren’t touching your clean items. This is especially true for longer trips or trips with multiple destinations.
3. Make sure you have a sealed bag for anything that might leak is a great idea, gallon Ziplocs or similar work just fine. I save mine and reuse them again and again.
4. Fold clothing upright so you can flip through them like a file cabinet instead of stacking. This makes it so easy to grab what you want quickly. It’s so easy to have your suitcase get out of control on you.
5. Separate organizers for shower items and bathroom toiletries means you can just grab that whole bag and leave it in the bathroom for your whole trip without needing to dig around in your suitcase.

Carry-On vs Checked Luggage Side Note:

Call me paranoid, but I always pack a change of comfortable clothes with a couple extra undergarments and a tooth brush in my carry-on. Just in case my luggage gets lost I don’t have to go figure out EVERYTHING from scratch. It doesn’t happen often, but we’re all only human and as much as it sucks and is inconvenient, accidents happen. I would also recommend having a few back ups of any medication you take daily or your retainer if you had braces. You just never know!

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Is there anything on your essentials list that you would like to share? Or do you have a trip coming up; where are you going? I am nosey and would love to hear!

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