5 ways to finally stop overpacking

I Think We All Want To Stop Overpacking, Right?

I’m lucky enough that I get to travel quite frequently. Something that I think I have perfected over time is that I don’t really overpack that much. Overpacking can become a big deal depending on the trip.

Not only is it just a bad habit, but it also makes your suitcase heavier than it needs to be. It can also cause you to not be able to bring home all of those amazing souvenirs that you just have to have.

From traveling across the world to  traveling down the street, these tips are something that you can use every single time you travel to stop overpacking.

Bring A Small Suitcase!

This is probably the most difficult lesson that I ever had to learn. If you bring a small suitcase, there is almost no chance of you overpacking! It limits the space that you actually have to pack in, and makes you really think about what you are bringing. Overpacking is the enemy of travel, I’m serious!

A solid example of this is when I chose to bring probably my largest suitcase on my recent trip to Europe. I paid dearly for packing that huge bag, and it was not easy to carry on trains. What it was though is a great workout! If you are traveling by plane, a small suitcase can keep you from the dreaded weight limit.

Just don’t be that person that tries to shove your suitcase in the overhead bin. No one likes that person!

Please, Check The Weather Before You Go!

Some places, like Florida, you can check the weather that morning, and it will change. I always think that you can plan much better if you at least have an idea. If you are going somewhere that is typically cold, you need to pack the appropriate items for that trip.

If you are going somewhere that is hot, then don’t pack six pairs of jeans! If you are going somewhere that has a tendency for rain, then you may want to invest in a lightweight rain jacket. I highly recommend The North Face Venture Jacket. I’ve had mine for years, and it has seriously come in handy!

Create Your Outfits As You Pack

This is another one of those difficult lessons that I had to learn. I cannot explain to you how many times I would throw things in my suitcase, and then I would get to my destination and have nothing! This is when I realized that I had to start creating outfits as I packed.

This shows you what items can go together, and can seriously help you reduce overpacking. Lay out the outfits, and take a photo to keep on your phone. This way, when you are on your trip, you already have all of the hard work done. You can just check your phone, grab an outfit, and go explore!

Here is a preview of what I packed for my recent trip to Italy!

Plan Out Your Trip, Seriously.

Personally, I am a planner. If I know that I am going on a trip, you can bet that I have plans already set in motion. While this may annoy some people, it is a great way to avoid overpacking! By knowing what you are doing before you leave, you can make sure that you have all of the items that you need for your trip.

If you know that you are going to a nicer dinner, then you need to pack for that occasion. This is also useful when you know the weather. You can essentially plan for weather too. If you have a day where you are going to be out all day, then you have an idea what to pack.

Make Sure That Your Accessories Work With Everything

I usually just choose a few accessories that can easily work with all of my options. Since I typically buy my accessories in a similar style, this isn’t too difficult for me. I stick with jewelry in the same color family and choose the best option to fit in with my clothing options.

With shoes, I stick with neutral options that match everything. I also try and limit my shoes to just the bare minimum. Usually a casual option, a dressier option, and a sandal for lounging around.

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What tips do you have to prevent overpacking?