This is a spontaneous post for me since I really find a hard time to pack light for short trips. I usually end up packing more instead the supposed number of clothes I should bring.
Traveling Light or Pack Light
Then whenever we would travel outside metro for a short while, I seem like bringing my house wherever I go. Even if we are just headed to the mall, it is likely for me to bring a first aid kit because we never know when we’ll get wounded or dirty or unsanitary. This is a challenge for me especially I just recently went home to just vote.
Goal: To have no check-in baggage as much as possible.
[bctt tweet=”Currently attempting to pack light to avoid “lag-lag bala” at the airport.” username=”Mariaisquixotic”]
So for my recent escape to Legazpi, I only packed my gadgets (laptop, phone, tablet), chargers, calligraphy stuff (just a few) and my mothers’ day gift to mom. My goal was to have only one bag but I ended up having two (2). I did not anymore include clothes since I still have clothes here and it’s just a short trip. It feels like an overnight or sleepover.
So, here’s how I think I travel light:
- Check the schedule of the trip. — If it will be more than 3 days, that’s my cue to pack more. But if the trip will just be like 3D2N, I will just bring 2 sets of clothes and 1 sleepwear.
- List down the activities that will be done during the trip. — If it will involve more strenuous activities, I’d lessen my gadgets to make room for more clothes. Thus, still being able to travel light.
- Check the place where are you going to stay. — If it’s a quick trip to your hometown, then it’s highly advisable not to bring so much since it’s your home. Surely, you still have clothes left there or you could just use your sibling’s clothes or even your mom’s.
Traveling light is tricky since we think that we need those when we go somewhere yet in the end, when we reach our destination, we would rethink and say, “Oh why did I bring this?” It may not happen to some, but to others, it may have. Also, it would be great if we really leave some clothes somewhere like our home back at our provinces and use those whenever we are there.
[bctt tweet=”The key to traveling light is to not bring the unnecessary stuff.” username=”Mariaisquixotic”]
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pareho tayo ng problema. I think it also good to know how properly fold your clothes and pack your things inside your bag.
Di ba. Mahirap talaga. 🙁 I’ve seen so many videos that would show how to pack effectively but when I tried it, it wasn’t that easy. 🙁
Additional tips: Roll your clothes, including pants. This will give enough space in your bag for additional stuff. Bring at least two scarves or sarong – it will do trick on your outfit (well, this is most applicable for women travellers). Bring light clothes such as leggings, shorts – this will give that much needed space in your bag. Thanks for Sharing your tips!
Yay! Thank you for sharing great tips as well! I tried rolling my clothes but ended up having less space for my clothes. 🙁
This has been the trouble for most travelers. I myself often times over pack and end-up using only half of the whole things I bought.haha so this post just enlighten me to my next travel. Thanks for this one mate!
cheers! http://www.masterryo.wordpress.com
I remember packing a lot for just a quick vacation and I curse the day that I packed. From then on, I kept on listing what will I do and thought of sharing it to the world, hence this post. You’re welcome! 🙂
I think its really important to list down the activities which you are going to do as it makes u realise what all you will require. This helps not forgetting the main things and pack only important things. Great post
Thank you! 🙂
Great advic. I tend to write a list for everything and planning in a trip is so necessary. Packing is one of my gifts too.
I think i really need to keep these tips in mind.. this is one thing I hate about traveling, there are so many things to carry haha. Maybe I should start to sorting out my things before traveling and also to spend more time preparin for it.. usually kasi last minutes befor emy trip ako magprepare haha
thanks for sharing
I tried doing the last minute packing so I’d challenge myself but I failed terribly. I forgot all the important stuff I was supposed to bring. 🙁
I always travel without check-in luggage! It’s less hassle and saves money! Hehe. But mind your travel destinations in ever packing! Great tip!
That’s my goal actually, not to have a check-in luggage since waiting for it after deplaning can be quite tedious! Thank you, Jessica! 😀
I so agree with you !!! you know last month I went on a trip to Argentina and it was fabulous. The only thing was I packed such unnecessary stuff with me that it kept bothering me for the rest of my trip. Great tip !!!
Woah, Argentina <3 Hope you could use those tips on your next trip! Thank you! 🙂
In most of my business travels, i also find it more convenient to have no check in baggage. No hassle on long wait and lost bag. But if traveling with family, i prefer to check in as my hands are full with overseeing the boys.
Ah yes, with biz trips that’s the ultimate piece of advice anyone should know. Hihi. The last time I traveled with family, we had to check-in our stuff because it was more than the allowable weight in the overhead bin. Thank you Momi Berlin! 🙂
When I need to travel light, I just place the things I need to bring on a daily basis. Next comes the accessories and others such as chargers. Finally, make sure all of them fit in my small luggages and only if there is extra space do I allow for some contingencies.
I concur. Contingencies, in Pinoy lingo, pasalubong! Haha! 😀
As I grew older, packing light has become difficult. I also pack beauty products aside from my clothes. Well, I think if I’m going hiking it’s totally unnecessary. However, if I go abroad, I think it’s somewhat needed. Thanks for this great reminder though. I truly agree with you that the key really is to refrain from bringing unnecessary stuff.
Thank you as well 🙂
Packing light is very important to me. I can travel for up to seven weeks with just my purse and a carry-on. I think your best advice is to make a list of activities. This way you will know exactly what you need! Practice makes perfect!
It is also much convenient to travel light and just bring the necessities. Especially for us when we travel with the kids. We only pack the most important ones because we prioritize the kids’ needs. In that way, we enjoy the travel at the same time no need to worry about a lof of stuff.
I think I am an expert in packing light. Since the cheapest airline to my home country has introduced a fee for hand luggage, I had to improvise and make my thing fit an ever smaller bag, a backpack – which is still free to bring on board. Last week I managed to fit 2 dresses, a pair of shoes, 3 tshirts, a pj, a pair of jeans, makeup bag, toiletries bag and still have a bit of space left in my small backpack 😀
Why do they have to charge for a hand luggage? But that’s such a wonderful gift. I mean, managing to fit all those in just a small backpack? Such talent you have! 😀
I used to have that dilemma way back then. Glad I know now how to distinguish which ones to bring along whenever I go out of town or go to a certain place for a few days stay. hahaha but really, I find the plan of bringing one bag but ended up with 2 bags, quite funny – so relatable!!!
I am a serial over packer, we are just about to go away for 12 days (in two weeks I’m so excited) and I need to pack logically as I’m sharing a suitcase with my daughter. I love your tip on writing down what you’ll actually be doing whilst away so you know what kind of clothes to bring!!! Great tips that can applied to almost any length of trip!
Hi Maria,
Although I want to get most of the things with me while traveling, I always try to think on a practical way. So when it comes to clothes, I usually get with me pieces that can create combinations with each other along with a light jacket just in case the weather turns bad. Great tips and post, thank you!
Zaria
My meds take a lot of space in my bag when I travel. I really cut on shampoo, conditioner, and soap. haha if I can buy them at the place where I am going, well and good.
I am also guilty of packing unnecessary things because there’s a lot going on in my mind that I might need this in certain situations like extra shirt, first aid kit, random things. Nowadays, I made a list of more important things to bring essential only for the travel
I’m used to packing light because I don’t want to have the burden of carrying heavy bags haha. If it’s a long trip I usually left maong pants or any bulky clothes, I just bought toiletries that I can dispose off hihi!Oh how I miss traveling!
When I was still single, I used to pack VERY light when travelling — thin, lightweight clothes that can go from day to night and then instead of bringing bulky toiletries, I transfer lotions, shampoos etc into small bottles (like those in hotels). But now that I have kids and I travel with them most of the times, it’s like I have no choice but to bring the whole house! haha!
I remember the time I felt like I brought my whole house to a sleepover! Hahahaha
I guess it’s more difficult for a woman to pack light because we often have to bring lots of options for clothing. I’m guilty of this especially when it comes to beachwear. Aside from this I try to pack light, especially if we’re boarding a flight to avoid paying excess baggage that will need to be checked in. I also try to re-use clothes if possible or at least wash and then let them dry overnight in our room so I can use them again on later days.
I’ve learn the hard way that you don’t need anything else except a small backpack, even if you’re going on a long trip.
And the best way to keep the trip light and fun is not to plan to much in advance, just go with the flow.