When planning a vacation or a move, it’s easy to get carried away in the planning and end up over-packing everything just to have enough space for all your possessions. But, don’t do that! Remember, having too much stuff can be very bad not only for your wallet but also for your nerves.
Planning Your Trip
Probably one of the biggest mistakes people make when packing for a move is over packing. There really are no hard and fast rules that will apply to any imaginable travel but here are some guidelines of thumb which have worked well for many, especially when learning how to travel light. The less you pack, the more you can pack. There is almost no comparison between having too much or too little stuff, so try to balance both. To help you out on how to pack for a move, here are some things to consider:
Don’t pack more clothing than you need to pack too much clothing can be disastrous, especially if you end up not using a single piece. It’s always best to have at least a week’s worth of clothes packed in case of a move, so if you want to travel light a week is ideal. For the most important items, such as shoes or clothes, pack them in a single layer, then fill the rest of your clothes with polypropylene dry quick.
What To Pack
Pack toiletries No, you don’t have to pack an entire suitcase full of toiletries, but it’s a good idea to do so. Often, it’s easy enough to just bring a roll of toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, and shampoo, as these are really needed only a few times during a year (and it doesn’t cost much to go cheap). Other items to pack, however, include deodorant, sunscreen, nail clippers, hair dye, and other similar items that you know you’ll be needing on a regular basis. If you really need all of these products, then buy a small container and fill it with the basic products. These should last for several months before you have to stock up again.
Pack only your most important items in your suitcase This is particularly important if you are travelling light. Don’t pack all of your daily essentials like toiletries, as they might end up getting damaged if they are carried in a suitcase with a lot of other items. If you only need your underwear and possibly a jacket for a day, it’s not necessary to bring all of your daily toiletries.
Storage Options
Use a backpack instead of a traditional suitcase A backpack allows you to maximize your space, which will decrease the amount of time you have to prepare for your move. In addition, you won’t be relying on any handles or wheels, which can break and become damaged during transit. When packing for a long distance, make sure you pack everything in a single compartment of your backpack. If you want to carry other things like a camera or additional laptop computers, you can take them in the carry on compartment.