How many times have you gone on vacation and packed way more than you needed to? Listen, we’ve all been there. And that’s OK!
While it’s tempting to want to bring a month’s worth of clothes for a five-day vacation, it’s really not necessary. In fact, traveling with just a light suitcase and only packing what you need is so much less stressful and overwhelming.
No more worrying about whether or not your bag is going to be over the weight limit or if you’ll be able to zip up your suitcase when your vacation is over.
Packing efficiently guarantees you have everything you need for your trip, while also ensuring you travel light. It’s truly the best of both worlds.
So, if you’re getting ready for a trip or want to be a better packer in the future, here are some helpful tips for packing more efficiently:
Please Plan Ahead
I know this may seem crazy, but the simplest way to start packing lighter is to plan ahead. What an insane concept, right?!
Truthfully, I know it’s easier said than done. However, it is a game-changer. Depending on how long your vacation is, start planning what you’re going to wear on certain days.
Maybe you know you’re going to have a nice dinner one night, so go ahead and decide what dress you want to wear rather than pack three different options.
Pack Versatile Pieces
Another simple thing you can do that will slim down your suitcase is pack versatile pieces. You don’t have to wear an entirely new wardrobe every single day, so choose items that you can wear with different outfits.
Some examples of versatile clothing items include a black dress, white button-up, white sneakers, neutral bottoms, and a light jacket.
Before packing, ask yourself if you can wear each item with another piece of clothing. If the answer is “no,” it probably shouldn’t go in your suitcase.
Roll, Don’t Fold
Alright, now that you have the clothes you need and want, it’s time to see if they’ll actually fit in your suitcase. An easy way to fit all your clothes into a relatively small suitcase is to roll them up. Folding may seem like the way to go, but rolling will actually give you close to double the space.
Another tip is to use packing cubes, which not only give you more space in your suitcase but also keep everything organized. While you may not want to use packing cubes for all your clothes, they’re a great place to store things like underwear and socks.
Wear Your Heaviest Items on the Plane
This is a trick as old as time, but trust me, it works. If you’re wanting to just bring a carry-on, there’s a good chance you’re going to need every inch of your suitcase. So, rather than try to pack your heaviest and bulkiest items, just wear them on the plane.
For example, if you’re packing a pair of jeans, just wear them on the plane instead. The same goes for your bulkiest jacket or pair of shoes. This will give you plenty of more space in your suitcase for other things.
Lighten Up on the Toiletries
Trust me, you do not need full bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and dry shampoo in your suitcase. In fact, you should try to pack as few toiletries as possible.
Unless you are planning on traveling to the middle of nowhere, any place you visit is going to have a drugstore where you can grab the essentials (such as toothpaste, lotion, etc.). Only pack the essential toiletries, like contacts, prescriptions, and makeup, and try to fit them in one pouch. Your suitcase will thank you later!
