Picture this – you’re so excited for an upcoming trip, counting down the days before you leave. You’re thinking about cruising through your last few days of work and the small things you need to get done: your nails, your hair, etc. All this excitement, then you remember one thing: “I still need to pack” and your mood immediately changes…
At least that’s how I feel! Anyone else? No? Just me?
Packing for a trip is one of the best and worst “problems” to have. The best because duh, that means you’re going on vacation! The worst because if you’re like me, you always wait until the last minute, overpack and seem to get sidetracked very easily in the process.
Every time I pack (also while folding laundry) I always seem to get distracted. I’ll be on a roll – getting everything I need together and laying it out on my bed, then BOOM! I’m sitting on the floor watching TV or on my phone with my bed looking a mess. It never fails.
When it comes to packing for any trip, my mom always tells me to pack, then unpack and repack again because the first time I probably packed too much (she’s right). I follow what she says (sometimes) and still manage to pack clothes that never get worn. But my thinking is it’s better to be overpacked than under-packed!
I always try and create a list for when I pack just to make sure I don’t forget anything important. Even though I usually pack too many of one thing (like do I really need 4 rompers and 4 dresses for a 6 day trip??? My brain says YES) at least with a list I won’t be missing anything. My list for my upcoming trip to the Dominican Republic looked a little like this:
- Bras/Underwear/Socks
- Pajamas
- T-Shirts
- Regular Shirts/Tank Tops
- Jean Shorts
- Other types of shorts (athletic shorts, etc.)
- Bathing Suits & Cover-Ups
- Water Shoes
- Regular Sandals & Wedges
- A sweatshirt
- Rompers/Dresses
- Toiletries (which is a whole list on its own)
- Camera/Speaker/All my Chargers
I need to get better with my packing skills. I always try and do it a few days before, but even the morning I’m leaving, I still find myself throwing things in my bag last minute.
Does anyone have any advice on how I can get packing to be a less tedious task? Leave a comment below and help me get my life together when it comes to packing!
I always make lists too because otherwise I’d get so anxious about packing! When it comes to packing, my biggest struggle is closing my suitcase, especially for long journeys. I worry that i’ll forget something so I keep everything I’m using (chargers, hair brush, etc) close to my suitcase leading up to the day. 😂 I’ve been trying more and more to limit the clothes I take with me, because I know there’s a chance I’ll buy more that I need to get home haha.
Shannen | https://bookmarksandink.com
Author
I feel you! The struggle is always real when it comes to packing 🤣 You never know what you’re going to need!
I’m bad with packing too. I have a white board in my room on the wall and I usually make a huge list of things I need to pack, and it’ll say things like “15 pairs of underwear” and the trip is only a weekend long. You just never know what you might need! It’s hard not to narrow it down for fear of having too little when you’re on your trip.
Author
Exactly! Things could come up last minute so you always need to be prepared!
I totally agree with you! I suck at packing and usually tend to overpack – which is both good and bad for trips! xD I’m going on a trip next month for four days and the rental has a washer/dryer so hopefully I don’t overpack then!
☼ eena / cabin twenty-four
Author
Good luck! Hopefully having a washer and dryer makes your packing easier 🙂
I always dread packing, it’s always the obvious things I forget 😂
Author
It’s the worst! Why isn’t it easier?!
I feel you so hard on the overpacking. In the past, I’ve taken two suitcases on a 2 week trip. This year I am going on a week trip where my friends and I (3 of us) are sharing one suitcase. I currently have a list that I am not allowed to deviate from, lol.
Author
Oh wow, good luck with that! I’m definitely curious on how that is going to be for you guys.
I really love packing! It gets me excited for the trip and I really like planning outfits beforehand. As Alexx said packing light is the way to go! It keeps you organized and it’s so much easier to carry around. We did a post about how to choose a travel wardrobe two weeks back, it might help! Wear what you love as well as things that are very versatile.
Caitlin
Author
I’m definitely going to have to check out your post! I’ve gone on so many vacations, you’d think I’d be good at this by now!
I HATE packing! I wish someone would just do it for me…always too much because I panic that my outfits won’t go together and I’ll look stupid. Ha! Since taking on a minimalist lifestyle, I haven’t had to pack..however I am going away in 3 weeks. So hopefully there will be some ease..
Author
I feel exactly the same way! Hopefully next time you have better luck than I did 🤣
I wish I knew how to make packing easier and also more fun! It is such a chore! It sounds like an okay idea until you get started! I always end up over packing too. Every. Single. Time!! xx
Author
I feel the same way, it’s so fun at first because it means I’m leaving soon. But 10 minutes later and I’m over it🤣
I hate packing as well haha It’s always last minute and never know what to pack!!
This post might help you with thay though : https://budgetbreaks.weebly.com/budget-travel-tips/11-tips-for-choosing-your-travel-wardrobe 🙂
Anaïs | http://anais-n.com
Author
The struggle! That article looks like it is going to save my life next time I’m going away! Thanks! 😁
This is my exact predicament right now!
Always last minute, always getting distracted, always waiting too late to order stuff and get mad when Amazon says this isn’t available for 1 day shipping.
Ugh.
When it comes to overpacking though, one thing that has helped me is actually planning out my outfits for each day as opposed to just packing 2 jeans 5 shirts 3 dresses etc. with no idea how I’ll end up pairing them.
I hope we get better at this soon. Haha
Author
The struggle is real! I feel your pain 😣 I try and pair my outfits like but then I think “what if we do something if else this day and I have no clothes!?”
One day we’ll be professionals!
Girl! I need to help you out on overpacking! I’m the queen of packing light! 10/10 would recommend trying to cut down the things you pack! It makes your life so much easier!
💗 Alexx | Aesthetics by Alexx
https://aestheticsbyalexx.com
Author
Next time I’m going on a trip I’m calling you up to help me!