Trials and Tribulations of Packing for a Trip

My sister came for a four day visit. Unsure of what we would be doing, she brought a little bit of everything. For the whole four days she was in town it was like her closet threw up in my living room. It was way too much, and I really didn't have the space for it. Had we planned ahead, maybe this would not have happened.

Sometimes packing for a trip is more stressful than it is worth. What should you bring? Are you packing too much? What if you run out of underwear? Will my suitcase be too heavy? All of these issues can be remedied. You just need to plan ahead.

First, where are you going? What is the climate? Is it cool, warm or moderate. Places like San Francisco can be a little warm during the day and then freezing at night, so be sure to do your homework.

Second, what will you do on said trip? Is this purely a tourist function, or will you be enjoying some of the nightlife? Bring appropriate clothing for any special events you will be attending. Be sure to check to see if the event or venue has a dress code. Also, some places (like clubs) will have theme nights or other special events. Make sure you have everything you need. Otherwise you may find yourself scrounging for party themed clothing.

Next, how long will you be gone? Is it a weekend get-away or a week long trip? Maybe it is month long trip around Europe. Basically, if you trip is a week to two weeks, you want to pack enough day to day clothes for each day, plus clothes for any special events, a back up outfit, and a few other necessities. Now longer trips become more tricky. If you are staying in hotels the whole time, you may have difficulty finding laundry facilities. Many hostels have laundry rooms, or they are in very close proximity to a local Laundromat. If you are staying with friends, do they have a washer and dryer and are they cool about letting you use them. If you are going to be able to do your laundry, it is best to pack about ten days worth of clothing (plus the before mentioned dressy/special outfits). When you pick the clothes, pick things you can mix and match. That way you have a wide variety of things to wear. You are not stuck wearing the same exact outfits over and over again.

Packing can be cumbersome, but it doesn't have to be stressful. Yes, choosing what to bring takes some work, but it is well worth it.