There's something special about the night before a trip. Your bag is open on the couch, your list is next to it, and the feeling of soon being somewhere else creeps into your body. I love that feeling. And over the years, I've found a system that makes that particular evening cozy instead of stressful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here I share my best tricks, collected from everything from sailing with Samba Soul to road trips in the Tesla and long weekends with a suitcase packed for the whole family and the dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Packing cubes are definitely the thing that has changed the way I travel the most. My clothes have their own place, my bag is organized from the start, and when I arrive I know exactly where everything is. The same system works perfectly in my toiletry bag too \u2013 small bags for different categories make all the difference. One bag for hair products, one for skin care, one for medications and supplements. Everything is quick to put in and quick to take out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I always pack medications, supplements, and things of real value in my carry-on. The suitcase can sometimes get in the way of my system, and it's nice to know that what really matters is close at hand at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Small, light and ingenious. With a luggage scale at home, I know exactly how much my luggage weighs before I even leave the house. Airports offer enough to keep track of anyway \u2013 queues, gates, time zones \u2013 so the weight of the bag should be one less thing to worry about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A simple tip that saves a lot of worry. A cloth bag or a zip-lock bag for used clothes keeps the clean and worn things separate throughout the trip. When I get home, the laundry is already sorted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The weather can change faster than the forecast sometimes. A really light down jacket takes up minimal space in your bag and will be a lifesaver on that evening hike or when that chill creeps in after sunset. It can be packed down to almost nothing and still keeps you warm perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This one always goes with me, in the smallest possible version. Over the years, I've repaired everything from bags to school shoes using a simple roll of duct tape. It takes up zero space and provides a sense of security that's hard to put into words until you really need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A pair of sneakers or running shoes, a pair of slightly fancier flats or sandals, and a pair of flip-flops. That combination covers most everything, from city walks to the beach to an evening dinner. Sticking to three pairs makes packing easier and your feet freer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When traveling by car, like my trips in the Tesla, packing bags and plastic boxes are worth their weight in gold. Everything gets its own box \u2013 snacks, charging cables, dog accessories, rain gear. This means you can carry around a box instead of the whole car, and you can immediately notice how much more relaxed the car trip becomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is perhaps my favorite tip. Keep all your travel essentials in one place at home \u2013 adapters, passports, earplugs, that little toiletry bag with travel bottles. When you plan your next trip, you\u2019ll know exactly where everything is, and packing will go twice as fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic colors that can be combined with each other make the wardrobe in the bag much more flexible. Three tops, two pants and a dress can be an entire week's worth of outfits if the colors speak to each other. And each item in the bag should be something that is actually used - then the trip will be easier, both for the shoulders and for the mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I like most about a good packing system is that it makes the whole preparation a pleasure instead of something I have to go through to get there. The night before a trip \u2013 the cubes on the couch, the list on the phone, the dogs wondering what\u2019s going on \u2013 has become one of my favorite times of the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next time you're packing your bag, try one or two of these tricks. Your body will feel the difference as soon as you walk out the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A forward push from me, Maria.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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