How you pack for a trip can determine how it goes

I’ve started to pack for a trip!

Well, I started days ago. Alright, maybe I started a couple of weeks ago if we’re nitpicking. But, staying on topic… YAY!

Guess who’s responsible for that, meanwhile? It’s the organised planner in me! That’s who.

I hear stories and see instances of people who start to pack one night before their trip, or on the day of (the horror), and I’m shook. I applaud them and wish them well but, no, thank you.

You see, packing for me is a whole activity that can make or not-quite-make your trip. And you want your trip to be made. You have to consider the reason you’re travelling, documents you’d need, what kinds of places you’d be visiting, what kinds of activities you’d be involved in, what you might need in case of an emergency, what’s the weather like there that time of the year, and so forth.

So, HOW CAN YOU NOT START TO PACK WELL IN ADVANCE OF YOUR TRIP?

I’m not shouting o, I just turned the caps lock on. Because, how??

There are levels to this thing called packing, for me. In short, I’ll go ahead and call them stages, just so we understand it’s actually that serious.

First of all, I make a whole note about my trip which includes categories and lists. See Paragraph 5 again for context. Everything is taken into consideration, including contingencies. (Leave me alone.)

Although, ‘these years’ I’m trying this new thing where I pack lighter. Even though I somehow end up with two travel bags to go, one backpack, my handbag, and – usually – an extra bag on my way back, I think I’m succeeding! It’s not my fault – I try to do things when I travel, so I have to be prepared. It’s not every day you get an opportunity to travel out, please.

But, my packing is lighter, I swear. Plus, you have to take the duration of the trip into consideration. I usually do between two to three weeks.

Meanwhile, this preliminary stage can commence as soon as I learn about my trip, and this can be months in advance. See the last sentence of Paragraph 9 in parentheses.

Secondly, I do a ‘packing draft’. So, what I do at this stage is bring out the boxes and start to put the things that must go on the trip, as well as some other things from the note(s), and then I decide what are needs, wants, and excesses. This is great for gauging how much luggage you’d be working with.

This is equally great to help me know the state of my wardrobe and laundry, and plan how to navigate any challenges in these areas.

Dope, right?

This is usually done around two (or more, or less) weeks to the date, to be safe.

Now, NOTHING that’s gone into the ‘packing draft’ can be worn/used until after the trip. Hence, this is a very delicate stage. Take note. Although, if you still have ample time to wash and replace clothes or items… go off.

A few days to D-day, I empty the bags/boxes and properly [re]pack what’s been previously drafted. What’s position is where, how much space is left for last additions, and all that. Of course these days (where I pack lighter) there’s the ‘what would I REALLY need?’ monologue session. *sigh* Nor be small thing.

I was at this stage, the evening this piece was written – I assign final locations and spaces, note others for the final stage, and I’m able to close my baggage properly.

This feat is accomplished between one to three days before D-day, depending on the level of excitement and necessity. Additionally, this stage helps to avoid stories that touch when it’s time to go. However, you don’t fully close the baggage. You just need to know you can.

Now, remember that I’m striking things off the list as they ‘permanently’ go in the baggage. I also start to focus more on the “What’s left” part of the note. Things like toiletries, makeup, and my gadgets are left in this stage because these are things you still need until the last minute.

N.B: THIS IS THE ONLY WAY PACKING ON THE DAY OF YOUR TRIP MAKES SENSE.

FINALLY, counting down the hours until boarding time is here!!! You can use tips from the three categories stated above as required and LOCK UP THEM BAGS! Nothing is left unchecked at this point. It’s all in, you’re set, and you’re on your way out in minutes.

If you can’t tell I love packing by now, then here you go. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty good at it, and I find it rather therapeutic. So, if you’re a cool human and you need someone to help you pack, I’m your girl! Just buy me food.

Caveat: Of course, we need to be friends first.

Now, I’m not saying packing for your trip in one night or a couple of hours is impossible. If you’re someone who’s organised,  I imagine that at the very least you’ve a mental note of the things you’d be taking with you, and they’re on standby.

I’m merely saying that you can avoid issues like rushing or leaving crucial things behind by simply taking the time to organise your trip in advance, taking the necessary aforementioned factors into consideration. It makes it all the more gratifying, and it doesn’t have to be over the course of weeks, like in my case. My case is ‘unique’.

SO, my special ones, do you know how to pack for a trip? I’d like to know if you have a ritual or method for packing, if you pack at all, or if you’re one of those annoying people that literally have one small bag with them. Drop your comments and ask your friends too, using this article, of course.

Sooooooooo, to sign off… Yeah. I’m travelling.