We have tons of vacation packing lists that tell you everything you might need. But it’s probably even more important to tell you what NOT to pack for your vacation!
Too Many Clothes
All of vacation packing lists strive to do the same thing – encourage travelers to pack fewer clothes! The primary trap most travelers fall into is thinking they need a fresh clean set of clothes for every day of their trip. This is fine for a weekend getaway and can even work OK for a week-long trip. But if you want to travel 10 days or more, you really should plan to re-wear clothes and wash underwear and socks on the road. And you should do this even for shorter trips to lighten the load you are carrying/dragging around.
Here’s my basic packing list for a 10+ day trip: 2 bottoms, 5 tops, 5 underwear/socks, 2 pairs of shoes. I’ll add something dressy if needed. I wash socks and underwear and shirts in the hotel sink or bathtub using hotel liquid soap or shampoo. In a pinch, I’ll have pants laundered by the hotel.
New Shoes
It’s always fun to buy new things for trips, but make sure your vacation packing lists don’t include brand new shoes! If you need a new type of footwear for a trip, buy them early and break them in. You just never know when a pair of shoes are going to wreak havoc on your feet.
Too Many ‘Just in Case’ Items
It is inevitable that you will be on vacation and wish you had packed something you didn’t realize you needed. But this doesn’t mean you have to carefully consider and include very possible scenario on your vacation packing lists! Usually you can remedy the situation with a quick trip to a store.
Carefully consider whether you will need the following items and only take them if it makes sense: rain gear, bathing suit, coat, food, spare sunglasses, and toiletries you use only occasionally. Some “just in case” items I do think you should bring is OTC medication that you use often as it might not be available where you are going.
More Than Two Tech Devices
I know we all can’t live without our phones, but many of us might say the same about our Kindle, iPads, and laptops. Try to limit yourself to only two of these on your vacation packing lists You will avoid having to haul around so many cords, converters, and adapters. And you will also avoid all the distractions that come with so many devices!
Expensive Jewelry
One thing that should not ever be on a vacation packing list is expensive jewelry. Wearing expensive jewelry on trips makes you a target for theft, and it’s super easy to lose small items as you transition from hotel to hotel.
Instead, either wear no jewelry or invest in some costume pieces you like but won’t be heartbroken if you lose. When I travel, I wear a simple wedding band and $18 CZ earrings. If it’s a work trip, I may also bring a fake silver statement necklace to jazz up an outfit.
What are you guilty of overpacking?
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