“Packing for a trip can be exciting. But unpacking is always depressing.” – Unknown

When it comes to traveling one of the most important things is packing. Packing can be stressful: you never know exactly what all you are going to need, the exact weather of the place you are going, and how much or little you should pack.

In order to help your packing experience be a little less stressful here are a few tips for the next time you are trying to shove everything into your suitcase.

Make a packing list

Making a list will allow you to know everything that you are going to need and then you will be able to collect all those items and have something to go back and look at to make sure you have everything you need. Making a list also allows you to know what you have already and what you need to buy, in case you do not have something.

Plan out each outfit

Sit down and pick a shirt, pants, shoes, etc. for each day. Planning out your outfits will help you know what you are packing and know exactly what pieces go together. You can do this by setting everything out, putting it all on a clothing rack, or even trying on each outfit to get what you want.

Roll your clothes

Rolling your clothes allow you to have so much more room in your bag. Tightly rolled clothes take up less space than folded ones. Plus, they’re less prone to getting deep wrinkles from fold creases. You can also roll your shirt, pants, underwear, and sock into one bundle and save sorting through your bag once you get to your destination.

Packing cubes

If you are not one for rolling your clothes, use packing cubes/vacuum bags. I know several people who use the Eagle Creek Compression Sacs and Cubes. Use them to shrink your clothes into a vacuum-packed, tiny, tight bundle that takes up little suitcase space.

If you do not want to buy these, because they can be expensive, a trick is to get gallon size ziplock bag and squeeze all the air out of them. It works the same and works really well for sock/underwear.

Personal items

If you are traveling via airplane, then do not waste your personal item on a purse. If you are flying on a major airline most of them allow you to have a personal item and a carry-on. This item can be a laptop bag, a large tote, or a bookbag.

Use a larger item that can still be stored under your seat and use it for extra packing space. I usually put my toiletries and extra pair of clothes and then anything else that didn’t fit in my suitcase.

Do not pack essentials in checked luggage

Put all your essentials in you’re a carry-on/personal item, i.e., chargers, books, passport, wallet, headphones, glasses, contact supplies, etc. This may be a “duh” but if you think you will use it on the plane put it in your carry-on. You do not want to get up in the air and then realize that you need something in your bag or get to a layover and not have something.

Cotton pads

To prevent your pressed powder or eyeshadow from cracking during your travels, place a flat cotton wool pad in between the pressed powder and the lid. This will save you from having a mess on your hands and having to buy all your powder makeup again.

Put your heaviest items near the bottom

When packing put your heaviest items near the wheels or bottom of your bag. This is a way to make sure that nothing gets smashed in your bag while rolling it. Side tip: zip your bag at the top near the handle, in order to prevent your bag from bursting open.

Shower caps

Put your shoes in shower caps when packing them. This will keep your suitcase and clothes clean from anything on your shoes. Another side tip: put dryer sheets in your shoes to keep your bag from smelling gross.

Wear your heaviest item/layer

Once you make your list and plan out all your outfits, look and see what your heaviest pieces are and try and wear these on travel day. If you layer your outfit with your heaviest clothes, then it will save you room in your suitcase and bags, as well as allow you to have layers if the plan is cold/hot.

It is the worst to get on an airplane, and it is super hot, and you are wearing a sweater with nothing underneath or it be super cold, and you just have a t-shirt on and nothing to cover up with. Once you get on the plane, you can put things into your carry-on/personal item or carry it if you get to warm.

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There are hundreds of travel/packing tips, but these few tips will allow you to have an easier time preparing for your next adventure. Do you have any packing tips?