In a previous post, I explained the questions that I ask myself before I begin packing. (You can read my packing process part 1 post here.) Once I’ve answered those questions, I make a list of the specific items I need to pack for my trip, and then, this is the key, I stick to the list. While I will discuss how I build my travel capsule wardrobe in another post, the basic premise is I pack only clothing and accessories that I can mix and match to create several outfits.
As I decide what items I need to pack, I hang or place them on my garment rack that I use specifically for packing. (You can read about my garment rack here.) Using this rack keeps me from over-packing. Pro tip: Keep a copy of your packing list on the garment rack shelf until you are ready to pack your luggage. Save packing lists to make packing easier in the future. Before putting anything on the garment rack, make sure everything is clean and in good condition. I take everything on the rack out of my daily rotation at least one week in advance.
In addition to the garment rack, packing cubes have been the ultimate packing game changer for me. You can read about the packing cubes I use here.) After purchasing the packing cubes, I was inspired to embrace a new way of packing. For years, I heard you should roll your clothes when you pack. I don’t know why, but it just sounded stupid to me. Once I got my packing cubes, I gave rolling my clothes a try. I am a convert! I was able to pack a ridiculous amount of clothing by rolling everything and compressing the rolls in the packing cubes. When I arrived at my destination, I was surprised—read: shocked—that nothing was wrinkled. I still fold heavier items like jeans and sweaters, but everything else gets rolled and tucked into packing cubes. I like that when I get to my destination, I can quickly unpack by putting the packing cubes right into drawers.
Be warned: When you pack like this, you must watch the weight of your carry-on. My first trip using this system was almost a disaster. My daughter and I were traveling to Quebec City for the Christmas Markets. We had decided to pack just carry-ons. At the very last minute, we decided to take one checked bag with extra heavy coats and boots. That bag saved me. I was so efficient in packing my roller bag with packing cubes filled with rolled clothes that my carry-on bag weighed in at 56 lbs! Who knew that carry-on bags are weighed on most international carriers? (I guess I should have known, but it never really occurred to me.) I had to quickly unpack my carry-on at the airline check-in counter and put half of the bag’s contents in the checked bag. I was in a mild (okay, massive) panic during the entire flight. If the checked bag went missing, I would have half my clothes and no shoes. Thankfully, everything worked out in the end, but I am now very aware of the weight of my carry-on. (Not to mention, nobody needs 56 lbs. of clothing for a four-day trip!)
In addition to packing cubes, I also use shoe bags. As I try to travel with just three pairs of shoes, I wear the heaviest pair and pack two pairs in shoe bags I received on a recent flight to Copenhagen. (Thanks, SAS!) By the way, plastic grocery bags work just fine.
When I am ready to pack, I remove each piece of clothing from the rack and carefully roll each item and tuck into my packing cubes. Only items on my packing list and on my packing garment rack go into my luggage. I have to be disciplined to not second-guess myself with a barrage of what-ifs. The key to packing light is pack only what you really need. When I stick to my list and pack my travel capsule wardrobe, I always have what I need–nothing more and nothing less. Once everything is packed, I zip my bags and don’t add or subtract anything.
Pro tip: I always make believe I am leaving a day earlier than my departure date. Any mom will tell you that the day before you leave for a trip is filled with unexpected time-suckers. On multiple occasions, I have had to take kids to the doctor or find a plumber to deal with a flooded basement the day before I travel. If I am all packed the two days before I am departing these last minute problems are no big deal.
This is my packing process. Do you have a process that works for you?