No Suitcase Left Behind! How To Remember To Pack Things when Traveling

Now that most travel restrictions have been lifted after the pandemic, we can finally travel freely again. However, if you’re anything like us, you might have gotten a bit rusty during this unplanned hiatus. You may need to remember a somewhat dull but essential aspect of traveling, such as how to remember things when packing.

There are many things to keep in mind when going away on vacation or a business trip. Here is a quick refresher on not forgetting to pack something you need to have with you.

Whether dusting off a well-used set of suitcases or traveling abroad for the first time, these simple tips will make all the difference in making your vacation memorable and stress-free.

Make a Great and Practical Packing List

Before leaving for your trip, list everything you need to pack. This may seem like basic advice, but it will help ensure you don’t forget anything important. It is best to get this list in good time before going on a vacation, so you have time to think of all items you really don’t want to forget. Whether you make this list with pen and paper, make a spreadsheet on your computer, or even use some of the webpages or apps designed for this exact purpose doesn’t matter – the main thing is that it is easy and convenient for you to use.

Exactly what goes on the list will vary depending on who you are and where you are going. But here is a short list of travel essentials that should almost always be included on the list:

Other common things people invariably tend to forget to pack for vacation include (in no particular order): sunglasses, prescription glasses, snacks for the trip, water bottles, hand sanitizers, over-the-counter painkillers, bandages, warm clothes (even tropical locations can get chilly), umbrellas, swimsuits, etc.

While many of these may not ruin your trip, they can make certain parts of it less enjoyable. If you need to have a lot of stuff with you, consider making a master checklist for the luggage to ensure you don’t forget to bring some bags with you.

Don’t Overload

While it is essential to bring all the must-have things, you should also prioritize what you need to bring along and what you can leave home without much issue. When packing, keep yourself from overloading yourself with too many things. Because doing so will make it more challenging to keep track of everything, and you’re more likely to forget something.

There are a few key things to consider when making this distinction: what is the climate like, the duration of the trip, and what activities will you be doing? With these factors in mind, you can start to make a list of items you need to pack. Then, you can add other things like books, games, and other nice to have’s. If you intend to purchase some souvenirs or other items while on the location, you should also remember to leave some luggage space for these, particularly if you are traveling by plane.

If you are still deciding what to bring, consider what you can live without for a few days, as well as which things you may easily be able to buy once there.

Keeping Things Organized

When packing, keep the items on your list organized in a way that makes sense. That will make it easier to find things when you need them and will help prevent you forget when packing your suitcase.

Be sure to tick off items on the packing list as they are packed. That will help ensure that everything you want to bring has been included. Use small containers for liquids, such as shampoo or body wash. You can either buy smaller packages of these or get modest, reusable bottles you can fill from larger bottles.

Use marked zip-lock bags for each one of your cords or chargers. That will prevent tangles and help you find the one you need more quickly.

Use a small carry-on bag for valuables, such as passports and jewelry. That will help ensure they are always with you and are less likely to be forgotten. Please keep them in a safe place where you can easily find them.

Only pack your small bag with what can be carried. It is crucial to be able to easily carry the luggage, as well as be able to lift it into overhead bins. If traveling with others, be sure to split up essential items, such as medications, passports, and cash, to ensure that all critical items will not be lost if one bag is lost.

Getting Everything Back Home Again

When leaving the hotel room, reviewing your list of items again is crucial to ensure you haven’t left anything behind. Once you leave a hotel and go home, getting any items you may have left behind can be challenging, so you should make it a habit to double-check before you leave.

Make sure you’ve gathered up all chargers. These are frequently forgotten about, and you want to be able to charge your phone. Check in the bathroom for any personal hygiene products, clothes, or jewelry you may have left behind. Check the entire room for any belongings that may still need to be accounted for. If there is a small safe, remember to get your passport and all valuables. Do one final check of your list right before you leave the room.

Last but not least, you should, of course, remember to enjoy your vacation. If you forget something despite all the above efforts, don’t stress out. For most things, you can find what you need at your destination.

That said, being organized when you travel can save you a lot of time and hassle. It can help you to get where you need to go without getting lost and to find things when you need them. Additionally, being organized can help you to enjoy your trip more, as you will have more time to do the things you want to do and see.

Do this for every trip you go on, and it will soon become second nature.