| Every time we go away on a personal trip, my | | | | that can pay double or triple duty, such as classic |
| husband, an airline pilot who packs and unpacks | | | | pants useful for both daytime meetings and |
| constantly for his job, gets stressed and | | | | evening casual dinners. |
| becomes the model for procrastinators. As | | | | STEP # 3 - Now that you have your pared down |
| veteran travelers you'd think we would have this | | | | wardrobe, add in the few extras you would like |
| all down by now, but I often end up doing his | | | | to bring in terms of jewelry, perfume, etc.. It is |
| organizing as he finds this very frustrating. In view | | | | easiest to pack this way because everything is |
| of this, it occurs to me that if he struggles with | | | | out on the open and it's much easier to think and |
| packing 'isses,' then normal people must have it | | | | visualize when you can see everything. Set aside |
| twice as bad! If you are someone who gets | | | | your chosen jewelry to pack in your carry-on if |
| overwhelmed thinking about what or how to pack | | | | you are flying (never send valuables through in |
| for a trip, this article is written for you. The tips | | | | checked luggage). |
| here work for me unfailingly every time I plan a | | | | STEP # 4 - Gather and pack your toiletries. |
| trip, which is a least once every month. Enjoy! | | | | Remember to pack anything over 100mL into |
| STEP #1 - Check the weather at your destination, | | | | your checked luggage if you are flying, as these |
| both short term and general. Do enough macro | | | | are no longer allowed and will be confiscated |
| research to know, for instance, whether it will be | | | | (goodbye, new perfume!) at security. Putting all |
| cold at night even though the days are hot, or | | | | bottles in plastic baggies will help prevent problems |
| whether it rains every day in the afternoon. A | | | | should anything break or spill. For your carry-on, |
| simple search under the term 'weather' and your | | | | small bottles of hand sanitizer, cream for dry skin |
| destination should turn up a few online forum | | | | and eye drops for dry eyes are of great relief on |
| postings about any common weather patterns | | | | airline flights. Almost any toiletry can be found in |
| you may experience; be sure and check for | | | | travel size packaging and these are fabulously |
| seasonal weather patterns as well. | | | | easy to carry in a small piece of luggage. |
| STEP # 2 - Clear off your bed. With the | | | | STEP # 5 - Check list time. Go over everything |
| aforementioned weather considerations in mind, | | | | you will require, including your paperwork - |
| pull and lay out everything you think you might | | | | passport, tickets and any confirmation paperwork |
| need and want for your trip in terms of clothes. | | | | (rental car? hotel reservations?) - and have a |
| Put possible shoes on the floor and include ties, | | | | place for everything. Be sure to invest a few |
| socks, scarves, hats, etc.. Now you can see what | | | | moments at this planning stage to consider all the |
| goes with what else and what is superfluous eg. | | | | little things you'll need - common items people |
| you may have several sweaters that do the | | | | forget include camera batteries, phone charger, |
| same job (cool evening cover-up). It is likely | | | | calling card, emergency phone numbers, |
| you've put all your favorite things out, and now | | | | medication and sunscreen. Being organized allows |
| you can pare down to what you'll need. Take a | | | | you to be calm and relaxed instead of harried and |
| minute to think through the types of occasions | | | | stressed as you wake up on trip day. |
| you may be required to dress for; mix and match | | | | That's it! A simple process for taking the stress |
| things in your mind as you look at what you've | | | | out of travel packing. You might even find it fun! |
| laid out, and remove items that you will not need. | | | | If you're going somewhere tropical, throw on |
| Be choosy and take only what you'll really require | | | | some calypso music while you pack and enjoy |
| on the trip, giving special consideration to anything | | | | the anticipation. Happy trails! |