Packing for trips is extremely difficult. You can’t fit your whole closet in one suitcase and sometimes important things need to stay behind. Everyone talks about the things you absolutely need to bring, but what about the things you don’t?
1. Cleaning products
Buy them when you get to your location. This also goes for shampoo, conditioner, soap or hair products. Unless they are extremely rare, only in your specific area and you’ll die without it, buy it there. Hairspray and checked luggage probably won’t get along the greatest anyway.
2. Lots of colours
Pack neutrals that can last or be worn for many different outfits. Colours here and there are fine, but lots of colour makes it hard to match and create outfits for all kinds of occasions. The best colours to match with anything and which are suitable for any occasion, are often white, grey, black or brown.
3. Kitchen supplies
It’s great to be prepared but it’s a waste of space in a suitcase to bring mugs and cutlery. So, buy them there! Almost anywhere in the world has stores for this kind of thing. And, if you’re really trying to save, buy paper plates or wooden cutlery when you’re there so you won’t get attached to your new kitchen supplies.
4. Bedding
Your home pillows and sheets might be the most comfortable ones in the whole world but packing pillows and sheets is one of the biggest wastes of space. Most places you’re staying, whether it’s a hostel, hotel, Airbnb or an accommodation for studying, pillows and blankets are almost always supplied. If you’re staying in an accommodation without these things supplied, there are stores everywhere with cheap stuff available. I promise you’ll want that space to fill with your clothes.
5. Towels
This is another common item that can be found at any home store or even local grocery store, from time to time, depending on the place you’re travelling to. You might love your towels from home but if you’re trying to save space, this one can be bought there.
6. Breakables
Ceramic vases might be just the thing you want to make your space feel like home. Or, maybe it’s a mug you made yourself. For anything that’s breakable, you have to be prepared to lose in travel. Bags either get lost or they get thrown into other bags. Even if you label them fragile, the workers neither know what’s inside nor do they care most of the time. If it’s important to you and it’s breakable, it’s probably best left on your shelf at home. Plus, this is another excuse to buy another one while you’re there!
7. Food
This one seems like a given but in case you need a reminder, food shouldn’t be packed away. Eat it before you get to the airport or give it away to friends. Unless it’s something you can only get in your precise location, it’s not worth trekking it across the world with you. If it’s something you can find at any local grocery store, just buy it when you get there. Not only can food make a huge mess in your bags, but it can also get crushed really quickly with travelling and isn’t worth the hassle.
Travelling with things you know you love makes this process so much easier. In most cases, anything that is common can be bought at a store once you reach your destination and is likely the better choice. Happy travelling!