Pack Early for a Grand Adventure

One habit that I have tried exceptionally hard to accomplish is packing early before an adventure so that the last few days before I leave can be less stressful. When you pack early, you have time to check, check and double check. I keep a running list of a few things that I need to add to my carry-on right before I leave. I make sure to order the foreign currency I need and get some US dollars as well. I check with the airline I am traveling on to make sure I am within the weight limits. I have a luggage scale that I use throughout the packing process.

I sort my clothes and place in Eagle Creek compression packing sleeves. This helps me stay organized when on the type of vacation where you are moving from one hotel to another. Shorts and capris go in one pouch, swim suits and cover-up in another, shirts go in a separate pouch etc. The hardest part for me is deciding how many of each item. My rule of thumb is if I know I have 3 days at at least one hotel…I can do laundry so I can take less shirts and tops. I also use clear zipper pouches for all my accessories so they are easy to find. I love Stasher bags. Although they are marketed for food storage, they are great for storing things that are in containers that might spill like lotions, face creams, shampoo etc.

The end result of packing early is rest and calmness in the days before the trip.

So for my next trip in less than 2 weeks, I can rest assured that I will not be running around like a chicken with my head cut off the few days before we leave.

Here is my carry on and my suitcase-a bit of room left in each and my suitcase is only weighing in a 42 pounds. (At least 10 pound of that are consumables or things I will leave behind like books etc. and 50 pounds is the allowed weight limit).

All packed and READY for our Grand Adventure! Now I will have time to help the others in our group if they need any help packing!

Bucket list item checked off!!!!!