I love to travel but I dread packing and I dread trying to decide what to bring. When driving to a vacation destination you can pack your entire closet but when traveling via airplane it takes a bit more planning and restraint. But here are a few helpful tips:
1. First, don't get stressed out. Take a deep breath and put on some fun/happy music. No need to pack more than a week ahead of your departure date unless you will be gone for more than two weeks.
2. Make sure you have all your travel documents, itinerary, a valid passport or license, visa (if applicable), address book with emergency information written down.
NOTE: Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back home. Don't post being out of town on any social network. Do not update your status indicating that your house is vacant, tell everyone where you were when you get back home.
3. Check the weather periodically ahead of time. Be aware of seasonal changes.
4. Put all your toiletries on the bathroom sink to make sure you don't forget anything, go through your morning and nightly routine checking off all the products you use in your head. Don't waste money repurchasing thing you already had at home.
NOTE: If carrying a suitcase, travel sized items are great but you can sometimes put your full sized products in individual zip lock bag and pack them in your suitcase instead of your carry on bag.
5. Lay out your outfits. Don't just pack random articles of clothing. If you are going on a three day trip you may only need three to five outfits plus sleepwear. Don't forget to lay out undergarments as well.
NOTE: Leave your expensive jewelry at home.
6. Pack comfortable shoes. Ballerina slippers, flats, wedge heel, or sneakers are great options for milder weather locations. Flip flops are not good to walk around in unless you are vacationing on the beach.
NOTE: You may end up wearing the same pair of shoes everyday.
7. Pack away your clothes and shoes and full sized toiletries in your suitcase. You can pack your carry on last and throw in any last minute items like chargers, cameras and laptop.
NOTE: If using a suitcase and a carry-on bag, pack at least one outfit in the carry-on bag just in case your suitcase gets lost.
8. Clean up the night before and empty all garbage. You don't want to come home to a messy house.
9. When you return home, unpack immediately so that your suitcase doesn't sit there for days and weeks after returning home.