Packing for travel can be stressful. Why not make the process easier? Here are six of my principles for minimalist travel packing.
Joy Check
Before you start throwing stuff randomly in your suitcase, think about your travel destination and what you’d like to wear there. What’s the weather gonna be like? What activities have you planned? Are you going for fully planned outfits each day or would you like to be able to easily mix and match outfits? Think about what would bring you joy to wear and bring on the trip. Dream up your vision of your trip if you will; get crystal clear!
Lay Out
With that vision in mind (see above), start gathering all your items you’d like to bring on the trip. Divide by items you’d like to pack in your personal bag and your carry-on/suitcase. Laying everything out in front of you (instead of immediately storing it away in your bags) serves an important purpose: you can see at once what you’re about to bring on your trip and avoid overpacking.
Remove
Now that everything is laid out in front of you, you have the chance to evaluate the things and amount of items you’re planning to bring on your trip. Now you have the chance to remove items. Most people tend to overpack and bring much more on their trip than they use (especially clothes). My suggestion would be to reduce as much as possible. That is, only bring the essentials. That face mask you typically use once a week (or more realistically: every other week): leave it at home. That new pair of shoes you might or might not wear on your trip: definitely leave it at home. You get the idea.
Store Vertically
You can apply the same KonMari storage principles you use in your closet also to when you pack your suitcase: store everything upright so items are immediately visible. Sure, you might have to add a layer on top (such as a suit) or even create several layers of content. However, try to adhere to the principles as best as possible. Konmari-fold your clothes and store all items upright to the best of your ability. This is especially helpful if you can’t or don’t want to unpack your suitcase at your destination. (Even though I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to – I’m someone who MUST unpack. But to each their own of course ;))
Packing Cubes?
I personally am not a fan of packing cubes*. Why add one more packing step? Also, I always completely unpack at my destination, so I don’t see the point in using them. However, I also understand that some people love them. A mom of three once told me how she uses them. She had specific colored cubes for each kid. This way, differentiating between each kid’s stuff was easy and time-efficient. On occasions like these, packing cubes absolutely can make sense and traveling easier.
Packing List
Now it’s time to reference your packing list. Yes, I do this AFTER I packed everything. I pack intuitively first and then I check my packing list if I forgot anything. I add those things and then I’m done! (If you don’t have a travel packing list already, use THIS one.)
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