I recently helped a client pack for a trip. She had previously felt unprepared for trips, having found herself either over packing and lugging a hopelessly heavy suitcase, or under packing and not having what she needed.
We did two things to help ensure a better outcome for this trip.
First, we created two packing lists. The first list was items she takes on a typical domestic vacation. The second included items she needs when traveling overseas. Using these lists takes the guess-work out of remembering what to take each time she packs. The lists can be placed back to back in a plastic document sleeve, checked off with a dry erase pen and wiped clean for the next trip. They can also be packed to make sure all items packed for the trip make the return trip home. A packing list is an especially good tool for kids who go away to camp and without a list might not return with everything they left with.
Second, we created a travel grid. A travel grid lists each of the days of the trip divided up into the segments of the day, such as, morning, afternoon and evening, or what ever activity segments make sense based on your travel plans. After you determine your daily segments, you next decide in theory what you want to wear during each of those segments and add that information to the grid. For example, will you need pants, a shirt, casual shoes for sightseeing or will you need a swimsuit, cover up and flip-flops for the beach? This travel grid was created for a short trip that combined attending a conference with some sightseeing. You can create your own in Excel or using good old-fashioned paper and pencil.
Once your grid is complete, decide exactly which of your shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, etc you will be taking to correspond to the grid segments. This approach forces you to focus on exactly which clothing you will be needing, so you won’t end up packing twelve shirts for a five-day trip, forgetting to take dress clothes for an evening out, or not bringing your favorite sandals.
How might creating a travel grid help you pack more efficiently for an upcoming vacation? What tips or suggestions do you have that support you in packing right and packing light?