I Cut My Packing Time In Half—5 Mistakes I'll Never Make Again

Hi, it’s me – a retired overpacker. Just a year ago, I constantly had an overweight suitcase. I have to confess that at one point, I even got my bag up to 75 pounds. A bottle of rosé was calling my name, so under the plane it went, along with about 5 outfit changes a day.

Somehow, I changed my pace. A few good podcast episodes about minimalism can do that to you. For me, it was also the frequency of my traveling. I started flying so regularly that it didn’t make sense for me to spend 4 hours packing my bag. I perfected my packing routine and I’m here to tell you that I still require a minimum of 3 outfit changes a day, but now I can do it all in a carry-on AND in half the time. Let me tell you how. 

DON’T: Plan your outfits the night before

Tip #1: Plan your outfits as they come to mind

I used to scramble over a pile of mismatched clothes, trying to find an outfit the night before a flight. Now, I jot down outfit ideas in the notes app of my phone as they come to mind, even if it's weeks before the trip. Also, if I order items I'm considering wearing on the trip, I'll note that down as well. By doing this, when the time comes to pack, I already know precisely what to put in my suitcase."

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DON’T: Unpack and repack your toiletries

Tip #2: Have Travel Sized Duplicates of your toiletries and makeup items always ready to go

The most significant time-saver for me coincidentally involves the magic of a well-organized makeup bag. I now maintain a duplicate set of travel-sized beauty items in this makeup bag at all times. When it's time to pack, I simply toss these pre-packed bags into my suitcase. This prevents me from sitting on my bathroom floor with a list and wasting precious time.

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DON’T: Bring a checked bag

Tip #3: Let your carry-on limit what you bring with you

I'm writing this to you while I sit on a plane, with my overweight carry-on bag above my head. That thing is heavy. As someone who loves to have numerous outfit changes, traveling with just a carry-on has always seemed impossible. It feels like a miracle that I can now manage with only a carry-on. This has significantly reduced my packing time, as I spend less time searching for things to fill it with. Packing cubes also play a crucial role in this process.

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DON’T: Go rogue

Tip #4: Have a pre-prepared packing list that you revolve your plan around

Since I was a little girl, I had a little notepad that included a packing list. I’ve been following it every time I’ve packed since even as an adult. Not only that, but I have a list on my phone of frequently forgotten items. I will contribute to it every time that I forget something on a trip, I add it to the list and check it every time I pack. Genius life hack.

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DON'T: Think too much about packing basics

Tip #5: Wear as many basics as you can on the plane

I almost always end up at the airport in jeans, a white t-shirt or tank, and a blazer. Piling on as many basics as possible has helped me make the most of my travel wardrobe. The basics I wear on the plane can be used again and again to optimize my wardrobe. Waiting to wear them on the plane keeps me from overthinking the other outfits that I pack.

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