“Packing is always a nightmare.” – Everyone

Isn’t it always the way, that just when it seems that you couldn’t take on one more thing, you have at least 25 new priorities on your to do list?

Well it is certainly true that right before an event, when you don’t want to think about anything else, YOU HAVE TO PACK.

It has truly become my least favourite things, so I have endeavoured to get a lot better at it with each and every trip.

Next week I leave for a conference and I will be adding on a couple of personal days following. I am gone for 10 days in a completely different climate – 20 degrees warmer (yay!), and need to pack active wear; corporate; evening; and sunny weekend vacation. Somehow I need to do it without the benefit of 10 suitcases. I feel like I am going to need one just for the shoes alone!

This is really the time to think about what you ACTUALLY need. And I have to admit, the more that I am on the road, the more I want to maintain my routines and bring along my creature comforts.

ESSENTIALS

Toiletries

• Toiletries – Depending on where you are staying there might be some decent soaps etc., but there is nothing quite like your personal lotions and potions. Make a small investment in leak proof travel containers and always have your faves on hand.
• Speaking of toiletries – where to put them all? I found this fantastic travel case and have never looked back. It makes getting settled so much easier to manage – nothing really to unpack. Unzip, hang it up and you are good to go

For the Plane

For the plane – I always have a small flat clutch (I got mine years ago at Indigo, but this is similar) with everything that I will need on the plane.

Here’s what’s in my clutch:

• FIRST – disinfecting wipes. Wipe everything, especially the seat and the tray. Have you seen what people do?
• A pack of gum (nothing makes me more anxious than realizing as we start to taxi that I DON’T have gum).
• An old set of mini jack ear buds in case I decide to watch an in-flight movie.
• Kleenex or a couple of nice old-fashioned hankies, for when I watch the aforementioned movie (you cry easier at altitude right?).
• Eye drops.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Hand lotion.
• An eye mask, for sleeping
• A charging cable and my phones.
• My iPad mini also fits in here, and it is always loaded with a novel from the library.

Sleep

Some sleep is always nice, but I have a terrible time trying to do it on the plane. This Trtl neck support travel pillow has helped a bit, and it isn’t too bulky to carry around.

Luggage & Organizers

Travel is easier if you have the right luggage and organizers to put all your stuff in.

• My portable travel jewellery case has saved me from a lot of lost jewellery. I love tiny delicate rings, bangles and earrings and seem to lose a piece a on every trip. No more!
• You know the living nightmare that you have as you are waiting for your luggage to come out on the belt? The one where your suitcase is open and all of your underwear is strewn about for everyone to judge? I once had an attendee that it happened to – the nightmare is real! Once she had a new suitcase, I had a real talk with her about how to avoid this in the future – packing cubes. Honestly – they are a total lifesaver, even if your luggage doesn’t fly open, these will help you stay more organized and maximize your pack.
• Luggage scale – You might think that you can judge the weight of your case, but here’s the thing – you can’t. And you really don’t want to have strangers see what you decided to bring with you on-site (see above), so carry this scale and avoid the whole situation.
• I also travel with all of my vitamins and supplements so cases like this help me keep them organized on the road. Sure I feel like an old lady, but I am leaning into it.

Whew!

Lastly – ALWAYS PACK A SWIM SUIT (bather). If there is time for a swim or a hot tub, you want to be prepared.

And there you have it. Certainly not everything that I travel with (there are so many shoes!), but definitely the things that I can’t live without.