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The first thought that pops in everyone’s head when travelling is packing the essentials. It’s a very rare situation when you step out without essentials. Sometimes it’s your earphones, and sometimes the travel-size kits and chargers.
Travelling is considered a learning experience by exploring new places, learning about cultures, or meeting new people. It is also a learning experience when it comes to packing for that trip. Usually, when packing, we want to cover all bases with the items we think we would need, but in the end, they are the items we did not need to carry.
Anything kept in more than the required quantity defeats its actual purpose, which is why packing light is necessary, and pushing away the non-essentials is key. It is also recommended to make a list before packing, so you don’t forget about the essentials when packing for the non-essentials.
While in today’s fashion world, there might be several options for a pair of jeans, be it on their type, fit, or colour, packing more than a pair is a common mistake. Items like a pair of jeans take up a lot of space, are heavy, and do take a lot of time to dry, which is why one pair of jeans, when travelling, is it.
Jeans are probably the only item of clothing that can last days without washing, are good enough for any weather, are durable, fashionable, and make you fit right in with the crowd. Nobody likes to look like a tourist, even if they are one.
When packing for a trip, we all imagine ourselves in the outfits we’re packing – from the t-shirt we’d wear to the pair of shoes that would complete the look. But, as much as we want the vacation to be fashionable, it does not require a different pair of shoes with every outfit.
Here the wisest decision would be not to pack a nice pair of shoes but to keep your everyday wear sneakers or shoes. Perhaps those white sneakers or just a pair of converse would do it. These complete the purpose of looking nice and feeling comfortable.
It doesn’t matter if you’re travelling somewhere cold or warm; keeping a light jacket is always recommended, but you have to be smart when doing so. Unless it’s freezing at your destination, packing heavy jackets is not a very smart style or travelling decision.
Surely, a faux fur jacket or a thick leather jacket would help you make a fashion statement, but it won’t help you when paying those extra baggage charges. In such a situation, playing with layers is necessary. Even in deserts, two light jackets are a must-have as they get chilly at night.
Layering is the key to packing light while also providing the necessary warmth to your body in different temperature zones. At a colder place, combine the layers with a windcheater or a waterproof jacket, and you’re good to go!
Reading while travelling is no less than therapy, and for anti-social beings, it is the best way to avoid socialising and get in some learning. While it is recommended to socialise when travelling for your own learning experience, we are okay with side-ing with the anti-socials.
Reading is your saviour when it comes to killing time, so packing in a book is always a good option. However, packing more than one book is indeed unnecessary. If possible, switch to a Kindle and avoid all the space a book would occupy.
Unless you’re a travel photographer or a blogger, you don’t need all those electronics. Packing light does not always apply to clothing items but all the gadgets you’re packing.
There’s the ’empty your bag for electronics’ part when travelling, which everyone hates. So, the best way to avoid that is not to pack your non-essential gadgets. Each gadget has its own charger and cable, which clutter your backpack. One way to consolidate all that mess is to use a single or universal charger. Items like electric toothbrushes, book lights, DVD players, coffee makers, etc., are not the items you need to carry around when travelling.
Bare essentials, that’s all you need. An alternative is to get those travel-size kits that will save you time, money, and space. It’s always wise to carry your primary toiletries and medicines in those travel-size bottles for the beginning of the trip. You can buy more and fill them up according to your stay plan. It is also wise to simplify your beauty and skincare routine to cut down on those essentials. Plus, there is a limitation to the number of liquids we can carry when flying.
It’s best for you and your pocket to not pack with the words’ what if…’ stuck inside your head. The items you think you might need because of those what-ifs are the items you definitely do not need but still end up packing.
Another way to push away the what if’s is to buy those items when you arrive, you would avoid wasting money on things you thought you would need, and it might just be a cheaper option.
Moreover, you can also check out our article on the list of personal things to carry for international trips here!
A word of advice to avoid packing the non-essentials is to pack according to the destination. Do not pack things you’re not sure you would use and avoid the what if’s. It is absolutely necessary to pack the priorities and the essentials. Go as light as possible and don’t forget that everything can be bought, and sometimes at a lower price.
Make your trip more enjoyable by carrying less, especially when using a backpack, and feel the freedom from the bulky packs and back pains.
A travel kit is usually something that comes in a travel size. It contains mini bottles to keep your essential liquids, a bag to keep your toiletries, and more. You can pack in your shampoos, conditioners, skin care, beauty, toothbrush, sanitisers, towels, etc. Mainly things you use in your everyday life but just in a smaller and more efficient way.
While we talked briefly about the non-essentials we all end up picking, it is important to know the essential items one should pack when travelling. Items like passport, phone chargers, power bank, cash, adapters, slippers, water bottle, socks, and underwear are must-haves in either your carry-on or your personal bag.
There are your essentials, your non-essentials, and then items you may carry at your convenience. You would not want to forget these items when travelling like your preferred toothpaste, swimsuit, laundry bag, first aid, sunscreen, lip balm, and an umbrella. Only keep the ones that go along with your light packing and are absolutely necessary, depending on your destination and its requirements.
A packing list is what everyone should make before even thinking about packing their bags. It consists of all the items you have to pack, a.k.a. the essentials, and items you may or may not need, a.k.a your non-essentials. It is highly recommended to make a list not to forget the items you wish to carry and to save you time from the panic you may feel when that item is not there.
Besides everything mentioned above, some more non-essential items that should not make the cut when packing are items like jewellery, valuables, bulky towels, guidebooks, a pillow, and linen.
