Travel Challenge: Be Travel-Ready at All Times
I have so many travel goals. . . a bucket list of travel destinations as long as my arm, the dream of being a location-independent, digital nomad, and more, but the starting point for all of these, perhaps, is my overriding desire to be more travel-ready at all times.
To explain better, let me dive deeper into this . . . I love to travel – no surprise for someone with a travel blog – but up to this point, I have not been a great long-range planner of said travel adventures. If I had to define my travel style, it would probably be ‘seat-of-the-pants’ . . . an attribute that can serve really well sometimes, but can also end up looking a lot like last-minute, all-nighter, super-stressy travel prep.
And I’m over it. Too many frazzled nerves and arriving on-location already exhausted before the travel adventure even begins. That’s why this year, I’m challenging myself to be a better advance planner, and ultimately, to be ‘travel-ready at all times’.
Is there a better way to travel-prep?
The Checklists are coming, the Checklists are coming!
Ideally, I’d have a travel check-list of things to take care of and sort out before turning the key in the lock and heading to the airport. What I need is a system. And what I’d really love is to get a good night’s sleep before jetting off, because I have the assurance of a foolproof system that allows me to jump on any travel opportunity that presents itself.
Would you like that, too?
This challenge starts the wheels turning and the creative juices flowing as to what parts of travel prep I can automate . . . from the running of my household remotely, to custom packing lists, to having necessary grooming, toiletry, documents, and other supplies at the ready. I’ll share all of these as I create them.
What’s your travel Achilles’ heel?
Hands down, my weakest travel skill is packing – *deep sigh*. Surveying various peeps I know, there seems to be a spectrum of packing styles:
In Milano – Packing train-wreck: Sifting, sorting & repacking on-location – Never again!
- There’s the minimalist (3 weeks, 2 shirts, 2 pants, 1 pair of shoes – gasp!),
- The planned and methodical packer (the suitcase sits out for several weeks ahead of time, with careful thought given to each item packed),
- And then, there’s last-minute frenzy packer (often resulting in taking everything but the kitchen sink and forgetting key items).
You can probably guess which end of the spectrum I fall into… yup, last-minute-frenzy Frieda, that’s moi. Until now, that is. For my next trip, I vow to choose what to take and how to insert it neatly into my bags well in advance. You, dear reader, are my witness. Now the pressure’s on.
At the Italian post office: Lightening my load by 10 kg – an awful way to spend €50 and a morning of travel time!
I’ve been burned so many times (of my own doing) by haphazard packing tendencies… Tiredly trudging overly heavy suitcases around Europe and beyond, getting ‘suitcase elbow’ (really, tendonitis caused by dragging gargantuan bags), paying excess baggage fees, and once, even having to pay a very sad sum indeed to ship excess stuff home rather than dragging it along with me.
Can I do this? I think I can!
I’m looking forward to being able to declare bad travel-prep habits a thing of the past. And honestly, it’s not like I don’t know what to do… it’s just a matter of doing it. So, here’s to smooth and steady packing like a pro – Stay tuned!
What about you? Are you an advance-planning maven, a last-minute diva, or somewhere in between? Do you have travel systems set up that you swear by, or are you a little trip-prep challenged like me? What’s your packing style? Would you like to jump in on my travel challenge? I’d love to hear your thoughts (and travel tricks) in the comments below!
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Unfortunately I’m a list maker however it’s always in my head and when the burden becomes too much I write notes in my phone. I always have a suitcase ready (I’m the minimalist, I would rather do laundry than carry it and if I can carry it on-bonus) with travel sizes of everything in my quart size baggy stuffed in the side pocket. Documents always in our fire safe box at home and at the ready. Travel itinerary items (flights, cars, hotels) in apps that populate my calendar. With all that planning it is hard to enjoy the adventure. Ask me what the flight was like- can’t tell you- I’m asleep, reading, listening to music or watching some crappy movie. Ask what was it like to fly over and into some place I’ve never been to before-don’t know. But once there way more seat of the pants. If the cab driver wants to tell me about his cousin’s must go to place, or when you’re here you must see… I’m in. How about inventing a transport machine? Getting there would be great!
Carolina, it sounds like you’ve got it handled. All business leading up to the trip and ready to go with the flow once on location – all without the hassle and headache of last-minute frenzy packing, brava 😀 Gonna take a page out of your playbook, m’dear!
PACK FOR YOUR TRIP LIKE IT IS AN OCEAN CROSSING
When sailing in a mid distance sail boat race it is all about limiting weight and taking up as little space as possible. The goal is to fit everything into one carryon bag.
High-tech fabrics keep you warm but also cool when racing 24/7 are great for travel. The stand up to a lot of abuse, clean easily and dry very quickly.
If you leave behind your foul weather gear, fingerless glove, head lap, AIS Beacon, sailing knife and Leatherman multirole. You have enough room to pack for a night out or two.
Packing list for sun protection:
o (1) Patagonia Sol Patrol Shirt
o (2) APS Long Sleeve Tech Shirt
o (1) APS Short Sleeve Tech Shirt
o (1) Outdoor Research Sun Hat
o (1) Patagonia Sun Mask
o (1) Kaenon Sunglasses
o and last but not least Z Block Sunscreen
Packing list for my every day wear:
o (2) Camet Shorts
o (1) Gill UV Tech Polo
o Patagonia Capilene Daily Boxers
o Sperry Topsider SeaRacer Shoes
Packing List for the cooler nights:
o Zhik High-Vis Beanie
o Henri Lloyd Elite base layer (top and bottom)
o (1 pr) Smartwool Heavy Insulated Socks
o (1) Gill Microgrid Fleece
Packing list for accessories:
o Ronstan Sticky Fingerless Gloves
o Leatherman Skeletool
o Tikka Plus 2 Headlamp
o Freestyle Mariner Watch
Whoa! Stefano, I’m impressed. You have it all right there, super detailed right down to the item and brand. Me thinks you could do a guest blog post advising the menfolk on what to pack… (or at least fellow sailors) 😀 I don’t think I could do anything other than a weekend with just a carry-on… but I’m aiming to take far fewer garments this next time.
Nice post… I feel your commitment and this time you will do it!!
Hey Dana-girl, thanks for the encouragement! I will, I will, I will! Enjoy your trip – looking forward to the stories 😛 xo
Hey Jodina!
Fellow 2018 B-Schooler here. 😉 I love the post & your site name! For me, the book How to Pack by Hitha Palepu was LIFE-CHANGING. (https://amzn.to/2HjUab6) Seriously. Now my travel prep is pretty streamlined and my suitcase is no longer subjected to last-minute frenzy Frieda, as you so eloquently put it!
Amanda, hi! Aww, thank you, and thanks for coming by to have a look 🙂 I will check out the book… because being an over-packing fashionista is just not as much fun as it sounds! 😉
I am just catching up from the 2 hours of sleep night before departure! I’m ready for the challenge of being travel-ready at all times!
Ouch, caffe` please! Here’s to licking those last-minute travel-prep demons! xo
Ciao,
I would fall into the category packer as Stefano88. Detailed and weight is key. I make a list to what kind of weather I could expect while traveling and being a boy scout….I like “to be prepared” just in case. However, I tend to over pack. I’m getting ready to head back to the states for two months and I’m going to be in a lot of different climates, so I have to take all into consideration. Pack light and prepare to layer.
Jodina, I love your blog. Very informational. Great Job!!!!!
Thanks, Richie! A well-prepared Boy Scout you are, indeed. I wonder if the over-packing gene is inherited or it’s learned?? I swear this time I will NOT over-pack – or at least will drastically reduce how much I haul with me – luggage elbow be damned… plus, there’ll be a washer and beautiful patio to dry things where I’m going! 🙂 xo
Jodina, my biggest challenge is to realize that I never come close to wearing all the wonderful outfits I insist on bringing on a trip. I will be in Italy for five weeks and I am determined to scale the wardrobe down, wear things more than once and focus on being comfortable….. July will be very hot! Oh, and dang, use the washing machine that I will have!
You and me both, girl. Am reading a book now that talks about the importance of power pieces vs. outfits. Very interesting. Stay tuned for my review.
You’re trip to Firenze is going to be marvelous – and the beauty thing about travel in hot weather is that the clothing is light-weight (but don’t let that be an excuse to pack more! 😉 xo
Love the pictures
Thanks, Dee! 🙂 xo