DIWYY Digest April 27 2010

love traveling but even after all the trips I have taken, I still stress out about packing. In my mind, I need to reserve an entire day to get my suitcase packed right when, in fact, I can do an almost perfect job in less than an hour. Fresh off a trip to Jordan, where I must admit I did a great job packing, I am going to share my tips for planning and actually packing.

The planning phase is crucial. Once you know what is going in your suitcase, it makes the actual packing process much easier. My starting point is my beloved packing list. I made it years ago and it is a simple word document listing all the items I typically pack in category:

• Essential Items – better not leave home without these
• Clothing, Shoes, & Accessories
• Toiletries
• Electronics
• Other

For each trip, I open the file and make modifications based on what I am going to be doing and what the weather is. To help you better understand the concept, check out the packing list. Make modifications for your personal preferences and keep it on your desktop. Better yet, put it on a web-based document storage tool like Google Documents so you can access it from any computer.

The next step involves grouping items into logical piles and consolidating wherever you can. Some tips:

• Choose a common color scheme for your clothing. It will save room and allow you to mix and match outfits. I usually opt for black or brown/earth tones as my color scheme and go from there. Usually, 2-3 bottoms, 4-6 tops, and a jacket will allow for me to create multiple looks.
• If you look at that pile and feel like you are going to look the same everyday in your photos, consider bringing some accessories with to jazz up your outfit. Colorful scarves, a fun belt, or even cute hair accessories can make an outfit unique. I usually stay away from jewelry, even when it is something that is made of plastic as it can tempt a thief who takes it for something expensive.
• Limit your shoes! They take up the most room. I try to wear the bulkiest pair (usually boots) on the plane and then throw in a tennis shoe for active days, a ballet flat for city walking, a sandal for the beach/pools/gross showers, and perhaps a nicer shoe if I am bringing a dress or nicer outfit. Read the rest of the tips at I Wish Gap Year…

* Photo: courtesy of VancityAllie.