Wasting Space: Don’t Bring It When You Travel

I’ll be honest, I picked a lot of these items out from my travel buddies, as well as my own bad habits. Many of these items are about keeping space in your luggage and keeping the weight down for checked bags.

The full-size pillow:

Even if you are partial to your particular pillow, leave it at home. You’re on vacation hopefully, the places you are staying have pillows or you can partner two pillows together. This takes up space in your luggage and can easily add to weight to your checked bag.

Don’t exceed more than three pairs of shoes:

This goes for everyone, if you are trying to keep checked bag weight down and save space in your carry-on: shoes will ALWAYS take the weight up. You really only need three pairs, one comfortable for walking (not hiking boots), one to dress up (if you’re into that sort of thing) and one to slip on and off (pool or beach shoes/slippers). If you are finding it hard to only bring three, re-evaluate and see if you have a more neutral pair. I have a pair of comfortable nude pumps that go with absolutely everything.   Pro-Tip: when flying wear your largest and heaviest items, it’ll save space and weight in your suitcase. Leave the hiking boots at home(bring if you are actually hiking a mountain) unless you are willing to wear them through an airport or while driving.

Skip the athletic wear unless you are going to wear it as actual clothing for the whole day:

I know, I know, we all say we are going to workout on the cruise ship or in the hotel or go for a run in the morning through Central Park. I’m here to say “yeah, right”. I know there are some of you who will do it and kudos to you if you work out every day and can’t imagine missing a day. For the rest of you, you are on vacation: Act like it. You will eat the cake and you should be either out exploring or relaxing so hard you have completely forgotten to workout.

Paper items:

Many of the things on this list come from avoiding the exceeded weight checked bag fee. In general a heavy bag is hard to maneuver. Try not to bring too many books, magazines, maps or papers to grade. Pro Tip: trade it out. Pick just one book or download an e-book or magazine to your smart phone. Download a maps app that works offline if you are going somewhere you may not have signal.

Too many pairs of pants:

My husband will do this. If it’s six days he’s bringing six pairs of pants. My rule of thumb is divide the amount of days by either 2 or 3 and bring that many pair of pants, plus one extra just in case something happens. If you are going somewhere you will be sweating a lot, this still applies. Try not to wear long pants unless you absolutely have to. You should really only wear them if it’s cold or if you are using it as protection against bugs. Also, even if you think you are going somewhere tropical, say Asia, most times they won’t let you into temples as a man or woman if you are showing knees and ankles.

More clothes than you could ever wear:

Don’t burden yourself with options, you know what you like to wear. Leave that dress at home that you never gravitate towards. If you are thinking you might wear it, as Marie Kondo would say: discard it.

Expensive Jewelry or Clothes:

I would shy away from bringing your diamond studs or that new designer purse. Yes, we all want to look our best. But my rule of thumb is only bring on vacation what you are ok with not coming back with or what can be replaced. These things can even make you a target. If you feel like you can’t live without them, pack them in your carry-on in a less conspicuous bag.

Hair dryer, straighteners, curlers, curling iron:

Just don’t. Most places will have a hair dryer. My favorite thing is to get my hair done before a trip so I know I have at least two good days of hair. You are better off taming with products than bringing large and heavy hair appliances. Bring an alternate styling product that goes with your hair type that is travel size. Trust me this saves on the weight requirement.

Full size toiletries for trips less than a month:

Even with long and/or thick hair you won’t use that much product. Even if you are traveling for a month you are better off purchasing toiletries when you arrive to save space for necessities. Save yourself the headache and leave it at home. If there is something you really need, you can often buy it when you arrive. Most hotels, cruises and the likes will offer some type of toiletry: use it unless you truly can’t.