What I Learned About Packing – And What You Should Definitely Leave Behind
Hey there! I’m Arif, and I recently went on a trip that turned out to be an eye-opener. If you’ve ever packed for a trip, you know the struggle – trying to fit everything into your suitcase while making sure you don’t forget any “essentials.” But let me tell you: there are things I learned the hard way, and I’m here to share my experience with you so you can avoid the same mistakes.
Packing for a trip seems easy at first, right? I mean, you just throw in a few clothes, some toiletries, and a charger – what could possibly go wrong? But when I packed for my recent trip, I realized I had packed way too much stuff. I ended up dragging around a heavy suitcase full of things I didn’t even need. The stress of overpacking is real, and I want to save you from that chaos.
Let me take you through some of the things I packed that I never used, and what you should leave behind next time you’re getting ready to hit the road.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably thrown in way more clothes than you need, just in case you might need something fancy, or you’ll “probably” end up needing five different t-shirts for a two-day trip. Let me tell you: It was such a mistake.
I had packed multiple outfits for every occasion – a couple of dress shirts, a few pairs of jeans, some shorts, a jacket just in case the weather got chilly, and even an extra pair of shoes for “just in case.” But guess what? I wore the same pair of jeans the whole trip, and my jacket stayed tucked away in my bag.
Here’s the thing: You don’t need to pack for every possible scenario. Stick to versatile items that you can mix and match. I could have saved so much space by just packing a couple of solid outfits and maybe one dressy option for dinners. Trust me – you won’t need all that extra stuff.
I’m not a huge jewelry person, but I figured, “Hey, I might want to look nice for a night out.” So, I packed a few necklaces and bracelets. Big mistake.
Not only did I never use any of it, but I also kept worrying about losing it. I even had to leave a few pieces behind in my hotel because I didn’t want to risk them getting damaged or stolen. The hassle just wasn’t worth it.
Now, I always leave jewelry at home unless it’s something truly special that I know I’ll wear. If you’re traveling for a short time, or to a place where the risk of loss is high, it’s better to skip the jewelry altogether. Keep it simple and save your valuable space for other things you actually need.
Here’s a classic mistake I made: I packed my full-sized shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and even a giant bottle of lotion. Why? I honestly thought that I’d “need” them, but I ended up only using travel-sized versions that were easier to carry around.
You don’t need those giant bottles of shampoo or soap when you travel. Just grab travel-sized containers or buy some on the go. Many hotels even provide shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, so you might end up with duplicates you don’t need. Trust me – a few tiny bottles will do the trick and save a lot of room in your bag.
Now, this one was tricky for me. I thought, “I might need my laptop to work on the go or keep myself entertained.” So, I packed it, along with the charger and a couple of other gadgets, just in case.
Big mistake.
First off, my hotel had a business center with free internet, so I didn’t even need to bring it. Second, I ended up spending most of my time exploring and meeting new people, not working on my laptop. In fact, lugging around that extra weight became a burden.
Unless you really need your laptop for something, leave it behind. A tablet or even your phone can handle most tasks just fine, and it’s a lot more convenient to carry around.
I’m a huge reader, and I always think, “This trip will be the perfect time to catch up on my reading!” So, I packed a few physical books. Well, guess what? I barely had time to read them. Between sightseeing, exploring, and just living in the moment, I didn’t even crack open a single one.
If you’re an avid reader, consider downloading an e-book app or using your phone for reading material. It’ll save you a ton of space in your bag, and you’ll still have access to your books if you need a little downtime.
For some reason, I thought I’d need an extra pair of shoes for every outfit. I brought sneakers, sandals, dress shoes, and even a pair of boots, thinking, “You never know what might come up.” But honestly, I only wore one pair the entire trip.
Now, I make sure to only pack one comfortable pair of shoes for walking and maybe another option if I need something dressier. You don’t need a whole shoe collection for a short trip. Stick to practicality!
I have a habit of over-packing snacks, thinking I’ll get hungry on the plane or in between activities. I brought bags of chips, granola bars, and even a few candy bars. But guess what? I didn’t end up eating half of them because food was available everywhere I went.
Unless you’re going somewhere remote or on a long flight, don’t waste space packing snacks. If you really feel like you’ll need them, keep it to a few small, non-perishable items, and you can always grab more when you’re out and about.
I thought I needed every gadget in my bag: headphones, extra chargers, a camera, a power bank… you name it. But most of the time, I just used my phone for everything. From taking photos to keeping my itinerary, my phone did it all.
Now, I only bring the essentials: my phone, a portable charger, and maybe a set of earbuds. If you’re traveling light, leave the unnecessary gadgets behind and focus on the essentials. It makes the whole process way less stressful.
What I Learned – Travel Light and Enjoy More!
Looking back on my trip, I wish I had packed lighter from the start. Traveling with less stuff made everything so much easier. I could move around without feeling weighed down by my heavy suitcase, and I was able to enjoy my experience more because I wasn’t constantly worrying about all the things I packed.
So, if you’re getting ready for a trip, take it from me: Keep your packing simple. Think about what you truly need, and leave the rest behind. A little planning ahead and prioritizing the essentials will make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
Let me know your packing tips! What’s something you’ve learned to leave behind after traveling? I’d love to hear your stories!
