I hate packing! There's so much to do before a trip that this chore is just an added nuisance!
So those items that will ALWAYS go on trips with me, I just have them specifically designated for trips, instead of packing them when the time comes. I just store these extras in my luggage!
- I use ziplock sandwich bags for most of them that are labeled:
- First Aid: (four or five bandaids, a teenie bag of Ibuprofen, antibiotic cream, etc.)
- Beverages: (two or three tea packets, two or three coffee packets, a travel container of Equal, powdered cream packets, etc.)
- Makeup: (I try to find tiny versions of my regular makeup, if possible. Lipstick, a smaller bottle of foundation --who needs a whole bottle for 4 days!, eyeshadow, mascara, etc.)
- Shower/Hygiene: (a tiny toothpaste, tiny shampoo/conditioner, tiny hair gel bottle, etc.)
- Electronics: (iPod charger, USB cord, phone charger, camera charger and battery, headphones, etc.) (These are specifically designated for traveling. They're duplicates of the household USB cord and iPod charger, etc.)
- I also have designated "travel undies" and "travel socks" and a "travel cap" and "travel sunglasses", etc. They stay in the luggage and are only used on trips. So no packing of them is necessary!
- If I find that I'm not going to use something on this particular trip (I need 5 pairs of undies on a week-long trip; only 2 on a weekend trip), I put them in a drawer specifically designated for "travel stuff".
- Then, when I return from a trip, I unpack IMMEDIATELY (if I don't, the luggage sits exactly where I set it down, for weeks!). I refill anything that needs it (shampoo, pills, bandaids, etc.), wash anything that will go back into the luggage (undies/socks) and I'm ready to go in a flash on my next trip!
And I'll have confidence that I haven't forgotten anything, because it was already there to begin with! (like headphones!)
