5 Questions To Help You Decide What To Pack And What You Really Need.
Soooo....almost a year after my last post: here I am, writing again! This time about a practical, down-to-earth common problem. Today I am trying to answer the question:
What do I bring on this trip?
Whether it is for work, for holiday or to see a friend... I am attempting here to make a general list of questions and list of items that could help you remember some items you might otherwise forget to pack.
Why? Simple. I also find myself in this situation and, instead of panicking and packing last-minute, I want to take the time to, not only write down a list for me to use in the future but also, humbly share the knowledge acquired in years of packing for all sorts of adventures.
1. To pack basic necessary items: think about your routine
What do you do every day? You wake up and probably: shower, brush your teeth, dry your face, get dressed. Well if, the day before packing, you note down all the items that are indispensable to you on an everyday basis, you might find that you remember your night cream or your hair brush more easily. To make it even easier for you to pack, you can also divide the essentials up by time of day you use them and other categories (such as where they are located in the house). To give you an idea, the first part of your packing list could look something like:
- Morning
- Alarm (or phone)
- Make up/perfume/jewelry/nail care items
- Shoes and bag/s
- Towel/s
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Bath essentials (small bottles with shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and any other creams you use every day)
- Razors/hair brushes
- Afternoon
- Essential clothes (underwear, bras (for girls -usually), socks, tops, pants/skirts/leggings)
- Snacks
- Tissues
- Evening
- Telephone charger
- Book
- PJ or comfortable clothes to sleep in
- Slippers
2. Do you need to go on a plane to reach your destination?
This question helps you decide what to bring and what not to bring. You have a bit more of a leeway if you are going by car, train, or bus. However, if you are taking a plane, you might want to remember to:
- Put all of your liquids on a transparent sealable bag
- Check regulations and weight restrictions imposed by the airline you are travelling with
- Narrow down the amount of things to bring. Imagine yourself being arrived at the destination: will you really need this item or can you survive without it or buy it there if necessary?
3. Are you staying at your friend's house?
If you are, ask him/her if you need to bring towels or some other things that they might have and be happy to lend you. You might also want to pack a present for them (chocolates are easy to transport and a general nice general gift if you can't think of anything else to bring them).
4. What kind of environment will you find at your destination? (a.k.a.: The Extras)
Now you can finally think about any other extra bits and pieces you may need. Are you going to the beach or the mountain? Are you going camping? Will you need your laptop or any other electronics? How long are you going for? What will you do there? Will you need specific medication? Will you need any other items that you do not usually need at home? This phase is the one that scares us the most. But really, if you pack the essentials first, only a handful of things remain in this extra section. Unless you are going to Tibet for 40 days on your own, that is.
And last, but absolutely not least:
5. What important documents do you need to travel?
Whether it's your passport, your tickets or the top-secret presentation you need to give to a top-secret agency, do NOT finish packing until you actually prepare your change of clothes for the travel and, most importantly, your travel documents! Put them somewhere accessible but secure, and check this (pocket, zip, whatever it is) before leaving the house and every time you move from one means of transportation to the other.
Have a nice trip!
And last, but absolutely not least:
5. What important documents do you need to travel?
Whether it's your passport, your tickets or the top-secret presentation you need to give to a top-secret agency, do NOT finish packing until you actually prepare your change of clothes for the travel and, most importantly, your travel documents! Put them somewhere accessible but secure, and check this (pocket, zip, whatever it is) before leaving the house and every time you move from one means of transportation to the other.
Have a nice trip!
*Feel free to comment below if you think I've missed anything!*
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