I don’t know about you, but the days right before I go on a trip are insane no matter if I’ll be gone just a couple of days or for more than a week. I’m scribbling to-do lists on napkins, receipts…toilet paper, doing five hundred loads of laundry, and making a run to the store at least once a day.

Now imagine getting ready for a 23-day trip where you’ll be spending long stretches of it in a giant metal tube hurtling through all sorts of different climates. Where do you even begin with packing?!

I’ve never done this before so it’s all an experiment, but I’m going to share my packing process with you!

My Packing Process

1. Figure out what luggage/bag I need.

Generally I depend on two factors: the length of the trip I’m taking and how I’m traveling. I learned my lesson well carrying two large suitcases and a weekender bag throughout Southeast Asia for six weeks during summer.

For this particular trip, I had more criteria than usual. Flying on a discount airline, I needed something small enough to function as a carry-on. I knew I’d be walking around with it/carrying it on public transportation, and that it needed to have the capacity for at least 7-10 days worth of clothes. With all that in mind, I decided to get a Dinictis travel backpack!

2. CHECK THE WEATHER, Y’ALL.

This may be obvious, but check the weather–especially when traveling to a place you’ve never been. I’ve been hearing about this record heatwave out West and was ready to rock shorts, tank tops, and sunscreen the whole time. Imagine my surprise when I checked my app and saw the high in San Francisco will be around 63 the entire time I’m there. Totally had to adjust my plan and throw in a couple pairs of long pants!

3. Make a categorized packing list.

I’m a planner by nature so OF COURSE I’m making a packing list! I divide it into sections such as “Electronics, Clothes, Toiletries, Daypack,” etc. *Pro-tip: Print extra copies and take them along so that when it’s time to pack up and come home, you can double-check you’ve got everything you brought with you.

4. Lay everything out to take inventory.

I check my items against my packing list, make note of anything I’m missing, and create a shopping list I can take to the store. Don’t wait until the last minute!

5. Time to pack!

To maximize the limited space in my bag, I bought a set of packing cubes. Since I’ll be doing a lot of moving around from place to place, organization is a must. You can actually buy travel backpacks that come with packing cubes–something I’d planned on, but it wouldn’t have arrived in time. If you need even more room, vacuum sealed bags are another good option.

6. Give the packed bag another once-over.

7. Lock that shit up.

Affix your TSA-approved suitcase lock, kick your feet up, and have a nice adult beverage cause you’re done, baby!

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I hope this peek into my prep process helps you pack more efficiently for your next trip!
Are there any tried-and-true packing tips you swear by?
Share in the comments!