Packing Procedures - Dividing up the Duffle Bag (or whatever it is you're packing)

Hey travel gurus!

Alas the final installment of this series is here, but no matter, I can assure you great content will continue to flow in like the Floridan waves your next trip will hopefully take you to. Anyways, back to this post. The packing predicament can be very tough to tackle when you don't know how to approach it, especially spatially. The limited space you're presented with to pack for a full stay can seem a bit daunting, but once you get acquainted with the idea, organizing your suitcase can be a cinch. To help you, just follow my five steps to a doozy-free divvied up suitcase.

1.) Choose what you're bringing, This process should be based on where you're trip is. Consider all factors such as location, climate, and space in the transportation vehicle. For example, bring clothes that can be layered for places with unpredictable climates and choose clothing that corresponds to the environment you're going to be in. Recall from the last post that you should pack items that double in utility - outfits that can transition from day to night, makeup items that can be used for more than one purpose, etc. Remember that wherever you're going, your luggage is going too and although you may not see it now, you're gonna wish that you hadn't brought two full size suitcases to your sightseeing getaway.

2.) Inventory your items. Though this may seem tenuous, childish, unnecessary, or all of the above, it is a very important - and very easy - way to organize your packing process. Listing your items super quick on a piece of paper helps you visually keep track of items you're packing and helps you easily see which ones you're missing. Things you thought you forgot can be unknowingly buried in the rest of your hodge podge of a suitcase and similarly, you can forget to pack something you though you already did. Keeping a list is a practical and intuitive way of tracking your progress and  makes the next step that mucheasier

3.) Determine what categories your items fall into and how many categories there are total. Most people pack a 5 – 6 categories of items with them on a moderate trip. Here are some examples of different categories you might be packing:

- Clothing (you can divide this category up even further, bottoms, dresses, etc.)

- Undergarments

- Shoes

- Makeup/Toiletries

- Hair care products

- Accessories

- Bags/Purses

- Significant items

- Miscellaneous

4.) Section a place in the suitcase for each category. An easy way to do this is buy a suitcase divider - yup they sell those - to place in your suitcase. These can usually be bought online, and though a little pricey, they're a great investment in the long run. These dividers are similar to shoe dividers in that they provide a confined area for each category to remain in while preventing them from getting mixed up with items next to them. This not only helps you now, but later on in the trip when you're frantically trying to find your blouse before that museum tour starts. This helps you stay organized and all around less frantic-y during your trip - never underestimate the power of one less thing to stress about.

5.) Pack and stack. That's it, all the previous steps have led up to this monumental task and though a little anticlimactic, you can still pat yourself on the back for successfully and properly organizing your suitcase. All there is left to do is place each item category in its appropriate spot in the suitcase, zip it up and go out and enjoy your vacation. And you know what? Enjoy that extra dessert at that average but overpriced restaurant. You earned that you responsible human being you.

Until next time travel gurus,

Taz