Travelling can be an exhilarating experience, allowing us to explore new places and cultures and make memories that last a lifetime. However, one aspect that often puts a damper on a trip is squeezing in all your must-have items without facing the dreaded excess baggage fees. To make matters worse, many flights are now sold without baggage included, so you are paying extra to bring along your necessities. Additionally, many airlines charge around $100 for an overweight bag (and that’s only one way!).
The art of packing light and right is a highly sought after skill, and one necessary for avoiding those horrid excessive baggage fees. But with some patience and know-how, you can pack like a pro and save your budget for the fun things that matter.
Here are five genius packing hacks to lighten your load and elevate your journey:
Embrace Minimalism, Embrace Freedom
Embrace the idea of travelling light. If you are like me, you are a serial over-packer and still only end up wearing one or two of those 11 band Tees you packed, not to mention buying another five t-shirts during the trip. Don’t be like me; carefully consider each item you pack as a thread that ties you down, restricting your movement and adding to your burden. By trimming the excess and packing only the essentials, you liberate yourself from the shackles of heavy luggage.
One technique I often use, is to lay out everything you think you’ll need, then pack half. You may have access to a washing machine at some stage. The places you go to will sell clothes for every occasion. Despite our fears, overpacking is a much bigger issue than underpacking.
The Art of Rolling
To master the art of packing, we must first learn the art of rolling. Rolling your clothes, rather than folding them, saves space and minimises wrinkles. It’s a dance of efficiency and elegance, setting the stage for a seamless travel experience.
Rolling also allows you to fit more items into your luggage without exceeding weight limits; a rolled shirt will usually fit inside a shoe or tuck into those unused sides of your bag. As you gracefully roll your clothes and tuck them into your bag, you’ll embrace the beauty of simplicity and the joy of mastering the packing dance.
Divide and Conquer
Regarding packing procedures, you must take a military strategy by dividing your belongings into smaller compartments. Invest in packing cubes or use resealable plastic bags to effectively organise your clothes and accessories.
If you are like me, you tend not to unpack when hopping from location to location. By dividing your items into separate sections, you can quickly locate what you need without rummaging through chaos, making you a master bagsman.
This method also helps distribute weight evenly within your luggage and quickly move items between your check-in and carry-on should your bag tip the scales at the desk. As you compartmentalize your belongings, you’ll learn the art of strategy and become the commander of your luggage domain.
The Souvenir Conundrum
As we travel, we encounter unique experiences and collect cherished memories. Yet, it’s often the material mementoes we struggle to accommodate in our luggage. Philosopher William Morris urged us to “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” When it comes to souvenirs, follow this advice and make intentional choices.
Instead of loading your luggage with trinkets, choose one or two meaningful items that resonate with your journey. A local handcrafted art piece or a photo book capturing your adventures. This will reduce the risk of overweight baggage and enhance the value of the chosen souvenirs, elevating them to treasured symbols of your travel philosophy.
Equally, if you like to buy souvenir t-shirts, bear this in mind when packing, and leave space for prospective tees.
Mail It Home
When your luggage is on the brink of excess, and you find yourself torn between your possessions, consider mailing items back home.
If you’re on an extended journey or have accumulated more than you can comfortably carry, sending items through mail can be a practical and cost-effective solution. It lets you declutter your luggage, travel unburdened, and savour the liberation from letting go.
Those are particularly useful when purchasing crafts and artwork that are delicate and valuable. You will find that most such sellers will already know the best means of postage and be able to assist you in mailing your good home.
As you master the art of minimalist packing, embrace the philosophy of travelling light, and practice the ingenious hacks shared here, you’ll discover a harmonious balance between adventure and simplicity. Never again will you be weighed down by excessive baggage fees or the burden of material possessions. Instead, you’ll walk the path of the savvy traveller – enlightened, accessible, and ready to embrace the world with open arms and an uncluttered heart. Bon voyage!
