A Guide to Packing

So I've heard that most people find packing to be a tedious task. Yes, I'm familiar with all of the struggles packing can bring such as wanting to pack your entire closet for a weekend getaway (guilty!), having to figure out the best ways to cram all of your belongings in one suitcase, and never having what you need once you get to your destination. BRING IT ON! There's just something about packing I love. It signals the closeness of my departure, gets me excited for the trip I'm about to go on, and lets me release some of my OCD/organizational energies. As one of my first "how to's," I am determined to change some opinions about packing and help people see that it doesn't have to be as difficult or "evil" as my boyfriend says it is. Here is my guide on how to make packing stress-free and maybe even a little enjoyable. ;) PS: All packing should be done with your favorite Pandora station on in the background...

1) The first step to being a successful packer is The List. Start making your packing list in advance, at least a few days before (or maybe a week before if you're anything like me). I know I can never think of everything I need in one sitting and nothing is worse than hopping on a plane and realizing you don't have your toothbrush or phone charger! I like mine to be super detailed, color-coded, and include checkboxes but the beauty of the list is it can be however you want it to be! ***Extra Credit: Keep the list on your nightstand; some of the most essential things I want to take on my trips come to me while I'm about to go to sleep at night.

2) Weather check! While it may be obvious to pack swim suits if you're going to the Bahamas, or heavy jackets if you're going up North, it can never hurt to double check! Living in Tallahassee for the last four years has taught me that weather is bipolar- and never to be trusted.

3) Be aware of what's on your list and avoid wearing those things the week before, or if you don't hate doing laundry, have a scheduled laundry day a few days prior so you don't end up wanting to pack something and find it in your dirty clothes basket.

4) One of my favorite ways to avoid overpacking is outfit planning. It may sound a little elementary, but on trips when you have a 50lb suitcase limit, it's necessary. Take it day by day, running through what you will want to wear for each activity on your trip and pack those things. For example, for my cruise, each day I have a bathing suit and cover up, a dinner outfit for after we shower and clean up, and a "going out" outfit for after dinner. By planning each outfit, I was able to put at least four items back in my closet and still leave a few extras incase I want to switch up my outfits when the time comes. ***If you're the type of person who hates the idea of only being able to wear what you packed previously (that's me!), just make sure that some of your outfit items are interchangeable to give yourself more options.

5) Finally, the logistics. Over the years I have picked up some real gems and tips to help perfect my packing strategy. Some of my top picks include:

• The Jewelry Pouch- This nifty little drawstring pouch unfolds to reveal eight pockets for earrings, rings, or necklaces, while the middle section is perfect for bracelets or anything else. It keeps everything contained without getting into knots and takes up very little bag space once drawn up. My grandma got mine for me, but you can pick yours up at Etsy.com or plenty of other places. 

• Folding- Some people swear by the "rolling" technique when trying to fit unruly amounts of clothes in a small suitcase. I still think that folding and placing your clothes in the flattest manner possible works best. Whichever you prefer. 

• Shoe Space- The one thing I will tell you to just go ahead and pack are shoes, because if anyone knows about wanting to pack every pair of shoes in your closet, it's me. I happen to believe that certain outfits require certain shoes, so what are you gonna do? Pack 'em. My advice is to get a suitcase with a specific shoe area. I have a hard-shell case with a nice zippered shoe space up top. It's perfect because it leaves me a decent amount of room for shoes (I can fit about five to seven pairs) while still having plenty of room for my clothes. 

• Cosmetics & Toiletries- There is no time when guys should feel more lucky than when packing their toiletries for a trip (well, I can think of a few more times ;)). Ladies, we will get through this together! Part of where I have the most trouble packing is trying to fit in my brush, roll brush, straightener, curling wand, and that big bag of makeup we all have. While there is no secret to minimizing all of these "necessities," keep in mind what will be available to you where you'll be staying; I rarely bring my own blow drier anymore and hotels are getting more and more accommodating. I tend to put my makeup bag in my carry on to save space, which also helps if I need a quick touch-up before landing. 

Hopefully this provided you with a better outlook on packing and gave you some ideas on how to make it easier. If not, we're in the same boat as when you started reading and you still think I'm crazy for actually liking the task. Either way- good luck and happy packing!

-LFH :)