We’re just days into our first international trip as a couple and we’re already fighting on a very public corner of a very busy street. It’s easy to guess what the locals are thinking by now – two overloaded tourists, soaked in sweat, and yelling at the top of our lungs.

Fists aren’t swinging, but the words flying are enough to cause heads to turn. Nothing is going to solve the problem at this point, so we start walking again, just blocks away from our lodging.

Guess what we discover upon arrival?

The elevator’s broken and we have to carry all our big bags up several flights of stairs. Are you kidding me?

No more words are needed, as I’m sure my face conveys my utter disdain for yet another physical trial I have to endure on this trip.

To make a very long story short, we made it up to our room, unloaded a few things, took a brisk shower because hot water wasn’t abundant, and then ventured out to discover one of the most beautiful cities we’ve visited to this day. Wonderful memories were made and we ended up modifying our trip plans to skip Milan and come back again near the end of the trip to discover more about this beautiful city.

The journey was overflowing with lessons for these two unseasoned travelers.

And while there are tons of tips I could share with you as a new world traveler, the theme of this post is OVERPACKING.

Reasons (read: excuses) why we overpacked:

• Lockers we intended to rent at the train station were closed
• Garrett was staying in France for a study abroad after the Italy leg and ‘needed’ additional stuff for the month
• I thought it would be a good idea to pack extra shoes, fashion, jackets, etc. because you never know what you’ll feel like wearing on any given day, am I right?!
• Most importantly: we had not done enough research to even consider packing lighter in the first place

So let me save you the stress of lugging too many bags on your next trip and give you…

My Best Tips to Avoid Overpacking

Research the Weather 

Check the weather patterns and current local forecasts. If it looks like rain is settling in for your trip date, take a small-but-durable umbrella.  If you travel in the summer, you won’t likely need a heavy jacket, but just something to shelter you in the case of a random rainstorm. Here’s our tried and true favorite: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UR0EFEK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But no need to pack so much for ‘just in case’ if you have an idea what the weather usually looks like.

Consider Layering 

In places where the temperature fluctuates throughout the day, you may only need an extra layer every so often. Instead of packing bulky sweaters or long sleeves for each day, utilize a jacket, hoodie, cardigan (whatever fits your style preference), and pack lighter shirts that will take up less space.

Wash your Clothes Mid-Trip

We’ve had mostly positive experiences with laundromats in the US and abroad.  If you plan a day mid-trip to relax and recover, you can use some of that time to do a load of wash or two.

Select your shoes carefully

Search for sturdy shoes that will serve many purposes. No need to pack high boots, low booties, sneakers, sandals, and heels. Pick one supportive pair that will suit your venturing style, plan your outfits around those shoes, and then consider a simple sandal for beaching or walking from the pool. Your feet will thank you later.

Try Capsule Dressing

You’ll be able to mix and match outfits without bringing a top and bottom for every day. Here’s an awesome blogger who has changed her life and the lives of many others with her capsule dressing project: https://bemorewithless.com/project-333/

Packing Cubes

Combined cubes with the simple art of Marie Kondo folding, and you’ll be able to fit a weeks worth of stuff into one small cube. There are lots of products out there that solve a similar need, but we prefer these for durability and value: https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Creek-Pack-It-Cube-Set/dp/B00F9S71YQ?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_2590949011

And most importantly 

Realize that when you travel, you’ll always forget something. But chances are, you’ll use your amazing brain to come up with a solution, or you’ll hop over to a local shop to get what you just can’t live without. Most pharmacies have similar products you’re used to back home, so instead of packing your travel drugstore ‘just in case’, take the few items you know you’ll need and leave the rest to chance. 

Bonus packing-with-kids Tip

We used to pack all kinds of entertaining things for the kids to do. But guess what – they never used them. There was always so much going on and so much to see that they never got bored. So pick one or two small items to entertain, and then see how the trip goes. Who knows, you may learn something about your child you’d have never known if they were zoned out to one of their many devices.

For those who skimmed to the end for the TL:DR recap:

Lesson Learned:    Pack fewer things than you think you’ll need.

You’ll likely be fine without them and you’ll be unencumbered as you travel the world and make new memories together. You will be less frustrated by having to buy something you could have brought than hauling your closet around only to use less than half of it.

Happy Packing!      

-Mandi

I traveled near Washington DC for business training recently and stopped in for some exploring.

I had come prepared with every piece of camera gear I own to get some great shots of our nation’s capital. When traveling, I stuff all my camera gear into a single carry on hard shelled case.  I came prepared to ensure that things would be safe from theft: I had a padlock for the case as well as a cable lock to lock the case to the car.

“Sir, you left your trunk lid open.”

I did what?!

Cue the red-faced embarrasement.

So after all the trouble of keeping my beloved gear safe, not only did I leave the trunk lid open for the world to just try and take my stuff, but I did it with an auspicious case padlocked to a car in front of the US Capitol Building.

I thanked them for their service and joked that perhaps I made their jobs a little less boring that night. 

After getting home and changing my shorts, I realized that sometimes I travel a little too casually. As an easy going person, there is not a lot that gets me frustrated or scared. But sometimes that leads me to not take some things as serious or with as much caution as is required.

I would still rather err towards being laid back, but remember that all our decisions can have an effect on others.

Okay, so what’s the lesson here?

Travel with your wife so she remembers to close the trunk?

Don’t rush yourself when you’re seeing a new place so much that you forget to close the trunk?

I don’t really know yet, but I’ll let you know when my blood pressure drops to a normal level.