What I Pack for 1 Week of Travel
Traveling has many elements, but one element I don’t care for is having excess luggage during my trips. Whether I’m traveling alone or with family and friends, I want to focus on the experience of my present environment, not the experience of full, sore arms and the mental cluster of managing checked baggage. Traveling is supposed to be fun, not stressful!
It’s been a process discovering how to maintain this freedom and comfort when packing for a family of four and surprisingly even more so when packing for just myself. This summer I’ve spent half my travels solo and have been very happy with the simplicity, ease, and efficiency of my setup.
Some of the key elements I require for travel are:
Freedom & Flexibility
Efficiency
Comfort
Translated this means the most important things are:
A bag that’s functional and accessible, durable and comfortable
Sizing down Items, such as lightweight clothing and smaller toiletries
Keeping things to the essentials that will add value and enjoyment to the trip
The above list is taken heavily into consideration and refined from those points. It’s going to look different for you, but it’s important to adhere to these factors in order to get the results (key elements) you’re after.
Here’s some of my essential travel items and why:
My Bag - I always travel with backpacks because they give me the ability to be hands free. I don’t have any shoulder or back issues, so I can pack 20lbs+ and travel freely. An alternative to carrying weight is to use check luggage made to fit under the front seat. I find these don’t have the ability to store as much accessibly or the ability to be as customizable.
Compression Cubes - When traveling internationally or backpacking, I’m a big fan of compression stuff sacks. The problem with them is having to unpack everything just to access your stuff. When I found travel cubes that compress I immediately fell in love. Maximum space-saving organization!
Water Bottle with Handle - If your bottle doesn’t have a convenient clip like mine, just add a lightweight carabiner. Hydration is so important and fortunately most airports have water fountains you can refill at. Carrying a water bottle keeps me hydrated, saves my wallet, and saves the planet.
Apple Watch & AirPods - Both of these items I consider unnecessary luxuries of life, but provide so much value to my own. I love the convenience of a hands free, tangle-free headset. In noisy spaces I can call my kids and we can hear each other perfectly. The watch allows me to receive important business emails and calls without having to frequently check my phone, among many other convenient features.
Power Bank - Another luxury, but being a business owner and a mom are choices I’ve made in exchange for the ability to drop off the grid completely. And because staying in touch is the most important thing when I’m gone, keeping my communication devices charged are equally as important.
Lightweight Travel Blanket - This is definitely optional, however, I prefer to have the extra ability to layer for warmth, shade from the sun, or roll up as a supportive neck pillow.
Aside from some of these specific items, choosing what to pack is the main factor in whether or not I’ll be able to take all of it.
Sizing down items like choosing lightweight runners shorts instead of jeans makes all the difference in the world, as well as living without some of my daily essentials. For example, I replace my daily routine of face wash, toner, and oil with just a small bottle of oil.
I also choose just one pair of shoes. Depending on where I’m going and for how long, it might just be my boots, or just my sneakers, or just my flip flops.
What you decide to compromise is totally up to you and for some, the way I pack still has a lot of room to simplify even more. I hope sharing my approach helps provide you balance and ease when it comes to packing for travels!
Until next time,
~ MJ