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This week I’m answering a reader question about dealing with the hassles of unpacking from travel. That’s something I’ve been dealing with A LOT lately as I’ve been on my book tour! I’m also discussing the packing since doing that right helps with the unpacking.
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Something that I do to give the feeling of choice but also the freedom of fewer clothes is to pack a limited number of bottom pieces (shorts, pants, skirts) in basic or neutral colors and the tops are I’m a coordinated section of the color wheel, so blue-green or orange or pink, depending on what I feel like for the trip.
Then, if there’s something special going on it gets a little bit of effort to be sure that the somber pants and top are connected for the funeral or the dress is accessorized with the scarf from the blouse for a party. If the top from the funeral is worn in a different way then it becomes a date night look, just depends on intentions.
Also, to your point of traveling in Israel, I don’t pack less underwear than the number of days of the trip. I sometimes pack more in case nature throws curve balls, but that’s non negotiable, for me. Dirty stuff gets packed in plastic bags and so easy to get smooshed into small spaces.
Oh, and tightly rolling clothing and packing in the ranger roll style in particular to get things into the suitcase.
I have a notebook that I keep lists for life in and one of them is for packing for trips. It has things like toothpaste and toothbrush and meds and a space for writing in number of days away and number of people going. I just start a fresh sheet with that as a starter template for my new list for each trip.
On returning home, the suitcase is emptied in the laundry room with the regular clothes going in the washer, undergarments staying in the plastic bags on the floor, and toiletries being put back where we’d look for them next time 😉
After the first wash is in the dryer, the plastic bags are emptied into the washer directly and then washed, sometimes they’re run through twice if they’re still icky after the first washing.
Hope this is useful for someone!
You used my comment about pictures. I feel like a celebrity!
I love listening to your podcasts. Thank you!
I swear, when I found your blog, I found “my people”!!! I didn’t know there were other “people” out there! Thank you for listening to God!
I hate lists normally. Don’t get me wrong, I can make wonderful ones, but they do not motivate me, unlike hubby who can barely sleep if his “to-dos” don’t all get crossed off at once! But, for packing? I have a few lists–very finely tuned lists. Disney flying, Disney driving, California flying, Scotland (that was new and boy it took a while to figure out!) It gets updated at the return of every trip with things we could have used. Like a few clothes pins—the curtains at Disneyworld resorts never used to close completely and we are not rope drop people and always seemed to have a south-facing window! Like your routines, there is no decision making–read the list, get the item, cross it off.
I have also taken to reloading our suitcase when we get home so truly, they are ready to go in very short order apart from adding clothes, electronics, and whatever food items I’m bringing with (which are on the list). Refill sunscreen, lotion, powder, replace toothpaste/floss if necessary, etc. I don’t have to chase everything around the house to add, having the tiniest containers for all that stuff already packed, with a partially crossed off packing list with it, is a blessing! And I figure out our clothing options before I pack–8 days at WDW is 3 shorts, 8 shirts, 8 undies, 8 socks. Unless it drops below 60F there or it is chilly here leaving, no jacket/hoodies. We rock the Spirit free under-seat bag for a week, no problem!
My only cringe was hearing you didn’t do the laundry right away upon arrival home…after a bed bug incident, all clothes are put in the washer immediately! At most that is 2 loads, usually just one for hubby and I. E
ven if we arrived home at midnight I’d at least get one load in, the other staying on hard floor near the front door where we came in!
I have a toilet bag already filled which lives in my suitcase. So when I’m traveling, the only toiletry necessity I need to add is my medicine weekly organizer case.