Tips on Packing Light

There’s an old adage that when you travel you should pack half as much as you need but double the amount of money. After traveling around the world twice, I couldn’t agree with that statement more. You shouldn't pack a lot on your trip. Packing light helps you avoid fees on airlines, saves space, and gives you less stuff to carry, and allows you more freedom.
It is often said that the stuff we own, ends up owning us. When we travel, we plan for everything. We normally pack lots of clothes and stuff when we travel because you know what might happen. So we leave for a two week holiday with a suitcase filled with half our wardrobe.  However, the secret to travel is packing light.  We often go on vacation and only end up using half of what we bring, regretting we brought so much in the first place.

When I travel, all of my belongings fit into a tiny daypack and a larger backpack or duffel bag. I have traveled for over a year without ever needing anything more. I often found I took too much stuff with me!! When I see other people, I am amazed at how much they bring. They ask me my secret to packing light. I’ll tell you what I tell them.

Here’s how to pack light and how you can too:

First, create of list of everything you think you might need. Everything and anything. From clothes, to toiletries, to electronics, to jackets, and everything in between.  This packing list usually ends up pretty long. But that’s ok, we’ll get it down quickly.

Next, look over your list again and think about what items relate to your destination. If you are going to the beach, do you really need pants or jeans? If you are going to Paris in the summer, do you really need to pack long sleeve shirts?

After that, you should have cut your packing list down by a bit by eliminating those items that don’t really have anything to do with your destination.  Now, let’s take a look at your toiletry list. Why are you packing so much? In this cautious age, people tend to pack every medicine known to man. How often do you really use this stuff? Can’t you buy them there? So go without much stuff. If you do get sick, you can always by Tylenol or diyarear medicine there. Take the bare essentials. A few pills that take up only a little space- you don’t need the whole box.

What about the non-medical supplies your packing? Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razor, and shaving cream is all you need. If you are in a resort, they provide all the basic toiletries. You’re going on holiday, not to a corporate function so ditch the cosmetics and facial products.

Now, think about your packing list. What can you buy there if you really need it? Probably lots. Get rid of the bug spray, the suntan lotion, and whatever else you are packing. You aren't allowed to bring them on the airplane.

Ok, let’s step on the road to packing light. We’ve probably cut out half of your list now.  The final step is to just cut out another half. You are holiday, relaxing. Stuff doesn’t get that dirty and you can wear the same shorts a few days in a row. Ditch the towel- just use the one from the hotel. Bring half as many clothing items. Wear clothes longer than normal! You never wear everything you take and unless you slip something or sweat through your shirt, you can wear it for more than one day.

That’s it. That is the secret to packing light. Cutting, cutting, and cutting until you get to the essential items you need to pack. If you follow my advice, I guarantee you will be packing light and make the whole packing process much easier.

Mastering the Art of Packing Light

The next time you travel, make a pact with yourself to travel light. When you pack light, you’ll free up your time when you travel. In some cases, you may be able to get away with taking all of your items in a carryon and avoiding baggage check entirely.

The key to getting your luggage reduced to one or two bags is to pack only what you need. While you are packing, continually ask yourself these questions: “Do I really need this or just want it?” or “Do I need to carry this or can I buy it cheaper while I’m traveling?” Think twice before you place anything in your bag. You can always purchase what you need when you arrive at your destination.

Start with your toiletries. Many hotels offer complimentary shampoo and soap, so you may be able to save some space by not packing those. (This also avoids having the bottles leak en route to your destination.). You can buy these items cheaply in most destinations in the world. Buying when you arrive may be a smart idea when it comes to toothbrushes, toothpaste and even deodorant. At the very least, you’ll want to purchase small sizes for packing, so you aren’t lugging around a full size shampoo and conditioner, for example.

The next area where people tend to over-pack is clothing. Your clothes are important, but not so important that you need to take more than one or two bags with you. Choose a few neutral pieces that coordinate well together. Two pairs of pants and three shirts should be enough to get you through a week-long journey, or even longer if you have access to laundry facilities. Women can take a sarong or long scarf to dress up a plain looking outfit, cover up a swimsuit or use as a blanket on the plane. Limit your color choices to just one or two so you can coordinate the pieces together.

Don’t forget to leave room for souvenirs while you are traveling. Pack a smaller, empty bag into your bag to carry items you collect along the way. Or you can leave space in your bag when you start out with the intention of filling it with souvenirs.

As long as you focus on getting by with the minimum of what you need to carry, you’ll be able to pack lightly and enjoy your trip. Keep looking for ways to reduce your bulk and you’ll be able to decrease your luggage when you travel. And if you are embarking on adventure travel, eheck with your tour provider for more tips on proper packing.