How to Be More Organised When Packing

I've recently gone back to my parents' home in another country hoping to spend a couple of relaxing and warm weeks. You might be wondering if I succeeded, and well, I didn't. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy most of the time I spent there but there wasn't that much time to relax, or hot weather. There was quite a lot of rain, and it didn't feel like summer at all.

As I was flying with an economy company, I "only" brought a super-packed carry-on and a small backpack. I left my laptop behind and a few other things I thought I needed and then didn't need at all. I believed I was going to feel better about my packing choices, until I had to move from city to city. This was not very pleasant as I only had my backpack and a few small totes, the kind I use to go grocery shopping when I only need a couple of tomatoes and a leek. Only this time I was packing for an entire weekend camping on my friend's van, next to the beach, instead of buying a few sad vegetables.

This made me think about my packing habits. Since I started travelling often I've massively improved the way I pack. I went from packing absolutely everything I owned—there were lots of 'just-in-case' items, as I like to call them—and even buying specific things for the trips I took that I'd never use again—or worse, wouldn't even use on the trip—to packing the bare minimum of one item, like shoes, and then having to buy them on the destination, like I had to do in Saint Petersburg after walking on snow boots for six hours and damaging my heels to the point of bleeding. Bad idea, do not recommend.

If you're like me and like to be prepared, you know how tiring it is to pack for EVERY situation that might arise. As I didn't know what we would do next (hehe, 'be spontaneous, live in the moment, do not worry about the future'... yeah, of course, not for me, thanks!) I had to know that at least I had an appropriate outfit for every thing that we could do. These activities can be summarized into three different categories:

1. Going to the beach if or when the weather allowed it,

2. Going out until five or six AM

and

3. Trying to survive the consequent hangover that resulted from staying up until late while mindlessly drinking strawberry caipiroskas.

That means that a small backpack didn't cover the amount of items I needed to carry. However, I had a few assets that worked in my favour, and I cannot believe I'm excited to cite those! I must be getting old.

Packing cubes

I used these to keep a bit of organisation in my carry-on as I packed back home. I've only used these twice so far and they're really good if you like to have your clothes organised. They also help with not having to sit on your suitcase to zip it, if you know what I mean (you definitely do). I took advantage of these when I went away for shorter stays and they definitely helped. Having them meant I could access any piece of clothing without having to unpack my bags completely and then fold my clothes again. I also talked to my friends about them, maybe a bit too much.

Small bag of liquid toiletries

I only bring small items in my toiletry bag. The trick is to buy as many solid toiletries as you can and reduce the amount of make-up you bring with you. I usually carry a bar of shampoo and a bar of soap—sometimes I use my shampoo bar as soap as well—and I put these in a separate compartment in my carry-on. I sometimes use tooth soap or toothy tabs instead of toothpaste. You don't need to worry about spills, you're helping the environment as you're keeping single-use plastic away from being produced and you have more space on your toiletry bag for other basics. It's, overall, a win!

Bag organiser

One of the things I love about my small backpack is that you can't fit lots in it, so I can't keep putting 'just-in-case' items inside until I can't zip it and have to choose the ones I actually need. However, as it doesn't really hold shape, if I put lots of small things in it they get tangled and I have to take everything out to find what I need. It also doesn't help when I'm trying to walk and things move inside, making it uncomfortable to wear. That's why I've got a bag organiser inside. It's got lots of small compartments where I can hide things and then wonder where I've put them. It also has great features, like zipped pockets where I usually put important things that I don't want to touch or lose every time I put my hand inside to reach for my water bottle.

Fanny packs

Another great thing I've recently discovered is that I can keep most important things close to me if I use a fanny pack. That way everything is more accessible than when you carry things on your backpack. You don't have to wear a backpack at all times when travelling, and you certainly don't want to do it when you're going to be walking all day.

In all, the advice written here might be useful for you or not at all. It's complicated and you have to discover what works for you, it's all trial and error! I only know it kind of works for me... when I get serious and stick to it.