Admit it . We’ve all been in that place — cramming all our belongings into a suitcase that is already stuffed , struggling over which stuff to carry along and which to leave behind . Packing is such a mind-screwing task , isn’t it ?
If the answer is YES , keep reading . Below are some advices to help you eliminate extra items and reduce unnecessary weight . After all , bringing less means saving money on baggage fees and feeling less burdened , both mentally and physically — and trust me , your trip will be just as fun without those items .
1 . Jewelries and Valuables
If you can’t risk losing your diamond wedding ring or your expensive Rolex watch , it’s better to just leave it at home . Bringing it with you increases the chance of losing it — that is , drawing the attention of thieves and pickpockets . Looking like a million bucks is not a good idea since criminals can easily distinguish you among the crowd . Plus , if you want to bargain with the locals , having luxury items all over you definitely isn’t the wisest choice .
2 . Toiletries
Bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash can add up to a lot of weight . In order to avoid this , you can dispense them into 100 ml containers — or even opt for an all-in-one shower wash ! Another thing to keep in mind is that most hotels already provide toiletries , so you might as well not bring any . This way , you can lighten your luggage and save room for the essentials .
3 . Excess Gadgets
Apart from some necessities such as phones , cameras , laptops and battery chargers , this category includes electronic toothbrushes , book lights , electronic dictionaries , portable DVD players , bluetooth audio speakers and so on . Chances are , you are not going to actually use them on your trip so just leave them at home .
4 . Excess Clothing
Of course you don’t want to run out of clean underwear and socks during your trip , but too much clothes can be bulky . Remember the fact that you can always wash your clothes , so don’t worry about reducing a few pairs of outfits . A maximum of 5-7 pairs is enough if you wash them once a week .
Another tip is to bring pieces that can easily be paired with each other . For example, basics like plain t-shirts , a denim jacket , jeans … anything without fancy , extravagant patterns that is hard to mix-and-match . This way , you can be both minimal and stylish with your looks .
5 . Your Whole Beauty Routine
As a female , I get how women want to feel glamours at all times— sparkly eyeshadows , false lashes , beautifully tamed curls . However, doing makeup can not only take up plenty of your travel time, but the products itself can occupy a huge amount of space . Of course you can take along some of the must-haves with you, but be sure to let loose a bit. Remember , you are going on an adventurous exploration, not the New York Fashion Week .
6 . Guidebooks
Guidebooks can appear convenient — back in the ancient times when there wasn’t internet access . Nowadays , you can find every piece of information you need through your smartphone : top restaurants , maps of the city , recommended attractions , etc . A few searches on google and you’re all set !
( NOTE : If you really need the information on the guidebook , you can simply take a picture of it and save it in your phone or make copies of certain pages instead of carrying the whole book . )
7. Your Favorite Snacks
I know how hard it is to be separated from your favorite snacks that only sell in your country . But hey , since you are traveling to a new place , why not try out the local delicacies at your destination ? Explore different cuisines and free your self from the food you’re used to back in town. Who knows ? Perhaps you’ll find a new favorite !