7 Things People Always Pack Before Vacation, But Never Really Need
We've all stood over an open suitcase and wondered if we've packed enough before leaving on a trip. The impulse is to pack for every possible scenario because we're worried about the unknown, but lugging around heavy bags doesn't make for a great vacation. By intentionally leaving a few things behind, you literally and figuratively lighten your load. Let's look at the items that usually end up staying in the suitcase for the entire trip anyway.
Aspirational Workout Gear
You pack running shoes and gym clothes because you promise yourself you'll keep up with your routine while you're away. You imagine a beautiful sunrise jog on the beach or early mornings in the hotel gym. How often does that really happen, though? Besides, you'll likely spend your time walking around a city, hiking a trail, or swimming in the ocean, getting some exercise in anyway. Save the space for comfortable walking shoes that you'll actually wear.
Pairs of Dress Shoes
Shoes are heavy and take up a lot of valuable space. You pack a pair for walking, a pair for the pool, and then a fancy pair just in case you go somewhere elegant. That fancy pair usually stays buried at the bottom of the bag unless you know it's a business trip or there's an event you're traveling for. Most nice restaurants in tourist areas are used to casual travelers and don't have strict dress codes. It's better to stick to a versatile pair that looks good with dinner clothes but feels good to walk in.
Hardcover Books
It's a romantic idea to sit by the water and read through a stack of thick novels, but books add significant weight to your luggage, hardcovers especially. Realistically, you might get through one book if you're lucky. You'll be busy sightseeing, eating, or napping in the afternoon sun. If you really want options, an e-reader is a much better choice. If truly you prefer paper, bring one or two paperbacks and, if you need to, buy new books locally as you need.
The Entire Medicine Cabinet
It's smart to bring essential prescriptions and a few painkillers, and that's really all you need. Bringing full bottles of vitamins, cold medicine, and stomach relief for every potential illness is a little overkill. Pharmacies exist almost everywhere people live, so if you do get sick, you can easily find what you need at a local shop. Pack a small ziplock bag with a few emergency pills and leave the bulky plastic bottles in your bathroom cabinet at home.
Hair Styling Tools
You might think you need your blow dryer, straightener, and curling iron to look your best, but humidity and different water types tend to ruin those plans anyway. Besides, most hotels and rentals provide a basic hair dryer. Vacations are a great time to embrace a natural look or wear a hat while you're out in the garden or on a tour. You're there to experience the world, not to spend an hour in front of a mirror.
Work Laptops
This is a hard habit to break. You tell yourself you'll only check email once in the morning or keep it on hand for emergencies, but having your laptop with you at all makes it too easy to get sucked back into office stress. If it's a true vacation, you shouldn't be working. If there's an absolute emergency, you can handle it on your phone. Leave the computer on your desk or at home. Your brain needs the downtime to recharge so you can be productive when you return.
Snacks From Home
It's tempting to pack your favorite granola bars or tea bags because they're familiar. While a snack for the plane is necessary, you definitely don't need a week's supply of food. Part of the joy of traveling is trying local flavors and visiting local markets. You can buy fruit, nuts, and other treats at your destination. It forces you to explore the local culture through its grocery stores, which is often a fun adventure in itself.
Packing lighter requires a leap of faith. It asks you to trust that you'll be okay without your usual comforts, but there's a real freedom in traveling with a bag you can easily lift. You move through airports and train stations with less fatigue and you have plenty of room to bring back a souvenir or two. Next time you travel, challenge yourself to leave these items behind. You might realize you never needed them in the first place.