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How to Pack Light: The Single Hack that Works

May 23, 2017 by Wendy Toth 2 Comments

I’ve been on a mission to learn how to pack light for the last year.

How to Pack Light: The Single Hack that Works - PowerSuiting.com

I got a taste for it after becoming a mom, and going from having a purse full of stuff for myself, to a backpack full of stuff for my son, and nothing but a super practical wallet and phone for me.

It got to the point where I wanted to bring my beautiful, lonely leather purse on a rare solo outing and could not conjure anything besides the wallet and phone to toss in there. I could barely remember what I used to tote around for myself. Things like books and notebooks became unnecessary, with my phone’s library of audiobooks and Evernote. I’ve majorly pared down my makeup routine. And well, I kind of travel around like a guy now. While this seemed sad at first, it’s freeing; I can be out the door in a matter of seconds.

This freedom gave me an idea: what if I could apply myself and learn how to pack light for trips, too? You see, I hate packing. If I could learn to pack light it would save me loads of time, both before and after a trip! Plus, I want to teach my kids to live simply, meaning, I need to be a better role model.

After reading up on the topic and testing out different methods of paring down over the last year, I have found one method to be massively effective. It’s so simple, it’s like quitting cold turkey.

Here it is.

How to Pack Light: Start with the Bag

How to Pack Light Start with the Bag

This appeals to both the purse and luggage-lover in me, as well as the challenge-lover. If you start with the bag you want to carry, it becomes much, much easier to let go of the items that simply won’t fit. All of the justifying and what-if scenarios get simplified.

This year I downgraded from a regular sized  Swiss Gear expandable carry on at 13.5 in x 7.5 in (but expandable) x 20 to an underseat luggage model. This smaller, lighter, more versatile version can be wheeled or toted. It measures 17.0 in (so wider) x 13.0 in (about the same as the above when packed) x 8.0 in (much “shorter”).

Here’s how I did it.

  1. Get out everything you think you’ll need.
  2. Take things away, one-by-one, until it all fits in the smaller bag.
  3. Here are the categories that usually get edited:

Bottoms. If kept in neutral colors, are easily re-worn with no notice.

Pajamas. One pair usually cuts it.

Shoes. Wear a pair of comfy, neutral sneakers, and pack one pair of versatile sandals.  

Toiletries. Spring for travel-sized items or bottles, or make a note of things you can buy on location. I’m down to the following, broken into 2 or 3 smaller pouches (assume everything listed in a travel size):

  • contacts
  • solution
  • glasses
  • Cetaphil
  • Cetaphil moisturizer
  • toothbrush
  • toothpaste
  • floss
  • one bottle of Dr. Bronners Castile soap for body, hair, and bathing suit
  • razor
  • deodorant
  • gum
  • Kleenex
  • Imodium
  • Tums
  • Tylenol
  • lip balm
  • hairbrush
  • bobby pins
  • hair ties
  • sample size of my foundation (from Sephora)
  • makeup brush
  • powder
  • clear mascara
  • Burts Bees Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb

One top of that, I pack a carry-on that I’m happy with, usually a backpack, and make sure not to pack it tight. Snacks and a hat usually take up the most space. Then I’ll toss in an empty smaller purse or tote for dinners or other quick outings once I reach my destination.

Try it! You’ll be surprised at how good it feels to travel light.

Filed Under: Organizing Tagged With: system

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ellen Zucker says

    May 26, 2017 at 9:06 pm

    Plus you won’t have to check bags on the plane.

    Reply
  2. Khayrie says

    August 5, 2019 at 10:10 am

    This is a very helpful article! I also hate packing because I always tend to pack almost everything in my closet. I will certainly try these tips and hopefully, I can be a light packer as well. Thanks for sharing these things Wendy!

    Reply

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