Never Underestimate Packing Light
Before jet setting off on your next holiday with a suitcase packed to the brim, stop, sit down on your bed and do something for me.
Close your eyes and imagine yourself with this suitcase. Imagine there is no elevator at your hotel, and you must carry it up at least two flights of stairs. Now imagine the staircase is narrow and even worse, steep. Imagine carrying your suitcase down the stairs to the metro while other commuters are rushing past you. Imagine dragging your bag over cobblestones; uphill and in the dark. Imagine getting off a bus with your suitcase in the rain. Imagine there is no concierge to help you with your bag. You don’t have your boyfriend, your dad or your big brother to carry it for you. It’s all on you. How will you manage? Will you be able to manage? Is lugging excess possessions around the world with you worth it? Worth the muscle and back pain? Worth the discomfort? Worth the struggle?
I sincerely encourage you to consider each item you pack to take with you. Pack once. Pack twice. Then pack three times. Each time, refining what you have packed. The airlines are often lenient and allow you to pack at least 22kgs in your check-in bag, some even 30kgs, but the joke is on you. Don’t be tempted. Particularly when just starting on your trip and especially when you are on the move every second day. I tend to find travelling with around 12kgs is most comfortable for me and all I am prepared to haul around the world.
Ask any keen traveller, and I am sure they will tell you the same. It takes at least a couple of uncomfortable trips to realise you never end up wearing all the clothes you pack, that jeans are tough to wash and then get to dry in a hotel bathroom and nobody gives a damn if you wear the same swimming costume every day.
Travelling with a sister or friend is the best because you can even share clothing (if you are a similar size) and toiletries such as shampoo and toothpaste saving you space and weight.
My process for packing light:
Lay your bags on your bed = One suitcase, one day bag (usually a small backpack) and one small handbag/bumbag.
Firstly, pack your essentials for the plane into your day bag. For me I like to have a jumper and a scarf for the plane, a book to read on the flight, my iPad, my SLR camera, snack, my travel journal, my reusable water bottle, my DVT flight socks, and photocopies of documents (passport, visa, insurance, credit card, id, flights)
Then pack your essentials into your handbag. For me, this includes my wallet (credit card, cash, ID), passport, chewing gum for takeoff and decent, my eye mask for the flight, tissues, jet lag serum, Dettol hand gel, a pen, headphones.
Check the weather at your holiday destination, at both am and pm, so you have an idea of clothing needed.
Stockpile all appropriate clothing on your bed. Then sort them, considering possible outfits. Remove anything that does not coordinate. Consider what you love to wear.
Pack all clothing into your bag. Place shoes into a smaller bag to avoid contamination. Place toiletries into their own smaller bag.
Weigh your bag. Ideally, you would like it between 10-14kgs
Reconsider what you have packed. Is there anything you don’t need? If you need a towel, pack a microfibre one. If you are taking shampoo and conditioner, consider packing the travel size ones. Even your toothpaste. Take a small or half-used tube. Seriously consider how much you will use while you are away. You could also do a trial leading up to your trip to see how much you use. You will surprise yourself. Or maybe your hotel/resort provides toiletries which means you don’t even need to worry about the basics. Winning!
Remove everything from your bag. Reconsider your clothing options. Remove the second jumper. Reconsider your need for a hairdryer, iron, hair straightener, nail polish, watch, jewellery, excessive makeup, and more than three pairs of shoes.
Repack and weigh your bag.
Practice to wheel or carry your bag. Practice lifting it to put in the boot of your car. Are you comfortable with the result?
Remove and repack if you feel it is necessary.
Your world is not over if you pack everything, including the kitchen sink. Maybe you prefer to do life that way. Whatever sits best for you. For me; dressing with less, repeating outfits, washing my underwear nightly while away outweighs the worry and stress of dragging a heavy suitcase around the world. I have never regretted packing and travelling light.
Are you a compulsive over-packer or have you learnt your lesson? What are the tips you can offer our readers for packing light?