Thank you all for sharing your summer plans with me last week. I loved hearing what you’re up to this summer! Travel is definitely in the air! ✈️
I just got back from two back-to-back trips. I spent two weeks in Ireland for my mom’s birthday, followed by my cousin’s wedding in Michigan.
And somehow…I only packed a carry-on suitcase and purse. 🤯
(Trust me, that’s a minor miracle.)
You might think that as a professional organizer, I’ve always been an efficient, minimalist traveler.
Nope.
For most of my life, I was a chronic overpacker.
No matter how short the trip, I would always end up with a stuffed checked bag, an overfilled carry-on, and that awkward moment of frantically moving things from one bag to another because I had gone over the weight limit.
Part of this habit was because my body is constantly in a state of flux (it’s so fun being a woman sometimes 🙄), so I often need to bring a few clothing options for any given event/activity to make sure I have something that fits and feels good. The other part of this is because I have a wild imagination and think of all kinds of fun things I may want to do when I’m on my trip, and I want to make sure I have everything I need.
So, how did I go from Miss Chronic Overpacker to Carry-on Queen?
Everything changed after a three-part European trip to Italy, Sweden, and Scotland. Between wildly different climates and 12 location changes, I spent more time packing, unpacking, and hauling luggage over cobblestone streets than I’d ever care to repeat.
I promised myself that I would make travel less stressful.
So, I went about looking for the right gear to make that possible. I found the best possible carry-on suitcase, carry-on under-seat bag, toiletry bag, and makeup kit.
It helped, but I realized quickly that gear wasn’t actually the solution.
I needed a system that helped me know exactly what to pack so I could stop packing “just in case.”
After lots of trial and error, here’s the system I do every time I travel:
This system has seen me through short weekend trips (like my cousin’s wedding), as well as my 9-month digital nomad stint, including months exploring Europe. It’s not a perfect science, but it’s a far cry from doing the shuffle of shame at the airline check-in stands every trip.
If packing stresses you out, or if you somehow end up wearing the same three outfits every trip (despite bringing 15), I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
And if you feel inspired, hit reply and tell me your best travel tips. I swear, I learn more from you all than any travel blog could teach me. 🧳✈️
Are you an overpacker? What’s your just-in-case story? Comment below and tell me what makes it hard to leave things behind?
Happy Adventuring!
