Over the years I’ve helped plenty of people unpack boxes from moves that had occurred many years in the past, sometimes as many as 7-10 years in the past. The boxes had sat unopened for so long because the stuff in them often should never have been moved in the first place. The costs incurred in these situations are significant – the financial costs of packing, hauling and storing these boxes and the emotional costs incurred every … Read More
I’m a big fan of mind mapping tools. Mind mapping is a way for relational thinkers such as myself, to build structure around an idea or ideas. A mind mapping tool, such as iThoughts HD, which I blogged about earlier this year is a great tool for creating a list of things to pack for a trip. The first step when using a mind map to pack is to figure out how many bottoms (pants or skirts) … Read More
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 … Read More
Reader Lisa asked: I struggled with getting all my liquids (shampoo, face cleanser, sunscreen, etc. in 3 oz travel containers) into 1 quart sized ziploc bag. Any tips for what to bring and what to leave home? Lisa, my solution to that struggle is to “travel size” everything you can. This is a photo of my “quart sized bag.” In it I have travel-sized basics, like shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, deodorant, contact lens solution and toothpaste. Many of these … Read More
The Tips: First, I want to thank Valentina Sgro, Helen Montfort, and Janet Greene for supporting me with my perspective shift by relaying personal experiences and providing me with some of the following tips for surviving with less while on the road: • When selecting bottoms (pants or skirts), choose something neutral or jeans as they go with everything and are basic enough that they can be recycled during a trip without feeling like you are wearing … Read More
I love to travel, but I hate to pack. I don’t hate trying to organize the items that I’m taking into my suitcase, that part is actually fun, which shouldn’t surprise anyone, given that I’m a professional organizer. What I hate is trying to decide what to take. As a result I historically hauled around way too much on my vacations. When presented with an opportunity recently to spend a week in Paris, I realized this … Read More