Packing: You have to start somewhere, right? Here’s how to pack light.
No matter if I’m traveling to the mountains or the beach, cold weather or hot, I carry some of the same things with me.
I’ll add a downloadable .pdf packing list in the future for you to print out and check off as you pack, so refer back to this post when you
And yes, if you order through the links that I post here, I get a small portion of the total sales – help a sister keep traveling!
The Bag:
I LOVE my backpack/duffel combo. It is big enough to use for several weeks or months on the road, but small enough to be a carry-on. It’s lightweight, machine washable, and the zippers face my back, making it impossible to pickpocket and super easy to deal with in airport security.
The Toiletries:
3oz containers for shampoo, conditioner, and face wash.
Makeup – I stick to the basics – tinted moisturizer, lip color with a gloss, and mascara. I only use brands that stay on all day, because who has time to reapply their lipstick after every meal? Not I! Plus, tinted moisturizer covers the bases of moisturizer, foundation, and cover-up.
My electric toothbrush lasts WEEKS between charges, so it’s something that I bring with me, even if it’s a little more weight than it’s manual counterparts.
Diva Cup and extra tampons
I also keep a swiss army knife, a fingernail clipper, and a tweezer in my toiletries case.
I typically keep tums, melatonin, and a couple of Tylenol in there just in case.
The Reusable:
Let’s do some simple math here: If you buy three water bottles a day while traveling for a week, and they’re $1 each, you’ve put 27 bottles in a landfill, plus spent $27. Then, think about the cups that they give you on airplanes, plus lids, straws, etc. Just… fill up a water bottle. And if it’s not great water, use a filtered water bottle. You’re losing money if you don’t use a Lifestraw bottle 😉
Other tips: For the love of the planet, please ask for your mixed drinks at bars without a straw. Ask your flight attendant to have the can rather than taking your drink in a plastic cup. Also, you can take your to-go food in a reusable Tupperware, or take the hotel’s breakfast food and have food for snacks later!
Sandwich size Tupperware
In the Wallet:
Chase Sapphire is by far the best travel card on the market, in my opinion. No international fees, great rewards, the whole shebang.
I use a Charles Schwab debit card. No international fees, plus they reimburse your first three ATM fees each month. It’s WAY better than foreign currency exchange rates!
The Technology:
It’s lightweight, packs small, has enough memory to handle photo and video editing, plus the battery life is great – I’ve spent days of writing and editing away from a wall and still had battery left over!
GoPro and any necessary accessories
Don’t forget your chargers and universal adapter!
The Rest:
Depending on where I’m going, the clothes and additional items change.
I’ll be adding the following packing lists in the next couple of weeks:
Packing Light: Work Trips
Packing Light: Camping
Packing Light: Southeast Asia
Packing Light: Backpacking in Europe
Packing Light: Central and South America
Think there’s something I forgot to add to the ‘bare basics’ list? Comment it below!