Welcome to Day 1 of 30 Days to Packing a Better Bag! We’re excited to get into the hard packing tips, but before we can get there, we have to do a little setting of the mood. The first several days are going to be about planning in advance because planning leads to a better packer and to a better traveler overall.
The goal of our 30 Days to Packing a Better Bag project is to help you become the packing master that you’ve always wanted to be. Do you often look at people with their teeny tiny bags, breezing in and out of the airplane or public transport without a hitch and think, “Why can’t that be me?”
Dream no longer, friends! Becoming the packer you always wanted doesn’t happen overnight; it takes practice and planning, and a little help from Her Packing List.
So while we might not be able to flip the switch immediately, with our guide, we’re going to transform you in just 30 short days.
Get the Companion Workbook!
This workbook is your dedicated space to work out each day of the 30 Days to Packing a Better Bag series. It’s available as both an editable and printable PDF as well as a Google Doc version.
Packing Better: What Does It Mean?
Packing better means packing smaller, lighter, and smarter.
Smarter here is the key.
What good is a carry-on only bag if you don’t have the proper clothing for cooler weather, or the proper accessories for a big hike? We’re not here to tell you that you need to travel with a carry-on or even a personal item only (yes, this is possible), but we are here to keep you from going overboard.
After all, traveling with too much “stuff” can lead to nightmares at the check-in counter (very expensive ones if you aren’t prepared), heavy luggage injuries, and a host of other issues. No, thank you!
However, packing better is not just about airline restrictions or proving to others that you can manage living without heaps of things.
It’s also about being in control on the road.
As women, especially if we travel solo, we need to be self-reliant; that can’t be done very well if we can’t lift our own suitcase onto the train or up the stairs. It’s like being tied down in a situation that should make us feel free.
Along the same lines, packing smarter allows the traveling female the ability to better manage belongings on the road. That means fewer lost items when moving around, and hopefully fewer chances for sticky fingers to take advantage of all your bags.
Why?
Because you have a smaller, lighter, and better packed bag. It’s easier to keep tabs on when… for example, you need to drop by the restroom. Think about it: You can’t cart a giant suitcase into the stall with you.
Don’t worry. We’re here to help you on this journey.
The Different Types of Packers
There are three different types of packers, and there is nothing wrong with any of them. Although, there certainly are perks that come with packing light.
Checked Luggage
Traveling with checked luggage means that you are checking in a bag that is going to go into the airplane hold. Checked luggage has an average maximum weight of around 50 lbs (this may vary between airlines and on the travel destination).
You can fill your bag with a lot of stuff if you use the weight limit completely and you are very likely going to battle to carry that bag and maneuver with it easily. Plus, you are going to have to wait to collect your bag when you arrive at your destination.
Carry-On Only
Traveling carry-on only means that you won’t be checking any luggage onto the plane. Your carry-on comes onto the plane with you and is stored in the overhead bins. The maximum size is around 22 x 14 x 9 inches with a maximum weight of around 15-22 lbs (but it’s always a good idea to double-check with the airline you’re flying on).
While you may not have to pay for a carry-on bag for some airlines, many budget airlines now require you to pay a carry-on bag fee. When you disembark the plane, all your luggage is already with you and you can head straight on out of the airport.
Personal Item Only
The difference between a carry-on bag and a personal item is the size. A personal item is small enough to fit underneath the seat in front of you. The maximum size is usually around 18 x 14 x 8 inches (again, check with the airline you’re flying on).
Traveling personal item only is the only guaranteed way to not pay for luggage while you travel.
If packing personal item only is your goal, but you know you’re going to need a bit more help achieving it, check out the HPL Packing Method. You’ll learn how to travel for a week in a personal item or even a handbag!
You may currently check a bag and want to travel carry-on only. You may travel carry-on only and want to travel personal item only. You may even just want to make your checked bag lighter and more manageable.
Whatever your goal is, we can help you!
Take Action: What Does Packing Better Mean to You?
There are so many different ways to pack better and everyone has different packing goals.
- You may already pack light but now you want to become an ultralight packer.
- You may have your clothes down but packing toiletries is what pushes you over the edge.
- Maybe your suitcase is full of just-in-case items that you want to finally leave behind.
- Maybe the weight isn’t the issue but you want to pack smaller.
Whatever the case may be, define what packing better means to you.
If you are struggling to identify what packing better means to you, here are some steps you can take.
- Make a list of what you struggle with when traveling. Maybe that’s carrying your bag upstairs or never having room for all of your toiletries.
- Use your travel struggle to define what packing better means to you. For example, if you struggle to carry your bag upstairs maybe packing better means packing lighter, or if you never have room for your toiletries maybe packing better means downsizing your toiletry bag.
What does packing better mean to you? Feel free to share in the comments below.
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Looking forward to this series! 🙂 Packing better to me means LIGHTER for sure, I tend to fail with keeping belongings down to a minimum… x
Lighter is possible, and we’ll do our best to help, Jacquie! 🙂
Backing better to me means not having to rely on a large second “personal bag.” When my purse is stuffed to the brim with another 10 pounds of stuff, I can’t really achieve being completely self-reliant.
Em… I pretty much managed to pack my clothes. It’s the toiletries that I’m having trouble with. Usually the toiletries is the heavier load, despite keeping to the 100ml limit. I certainly need help. Looking forward to this series for sure. Cheers!
We’ll try to help you out, Za! Toiletries are hard, but it can be done 🙂
for me packing better means… taking all the required stuff in a single organised bag..
Hi! I came across your blog a few weeks ago and am now a regular reader. I love the very relatable and unique travel tips! I totally agree with the idea that packing better gives you more freedom while traveling. To me, packing better definitely means packing lighter! I live in a city with no escalators in the subway stations, so lugging around a large suitcase while getting to and from the airport is always a struggle.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series! 🙂
Looking forward to the series! To me, packing better means streamlining my packing list to the essentials and organizing them in order to make the most of my space.
To me better packing means I would not be so frazzled after shlepping around the NY subway!
I’ll admit it – I’m a worrier.
“What if I need [insert obscure random item here]?!”
I definitely need to pack smarter.
I totally agree! I’m a worrier as well with general anxiety to boot… This guide will definitely help me pack better and worry free 🙂
Packing better to me means being prepared for every situation, but still packing the right amount. It’s not about packing everything you THINK you need. To pack better you should pack what you ACTUALLY need. Then you won’t worry so much about what you’re packing. You’ll feel confident you have the right stuff and the right amount.
i totally agree to ur comment!
gopika
I totally agree!
For me, (besides all of the above) it is good to find a bag that is built for a 5’2″ person to lift rather than a 6′ tall person. This either means a shorter bag or a handle along the short edge so lifting it does not mean my hand it up to my ear to get the bag off of the ground!
hope that this will be an awesome experience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxo
gopika
I am an adventure seeker; I go where the fun is. I have a basic plan in mind, but I always seek out a local adventure. I pack for those “what ifs”, which means I always over pack. What if I find a great local dance club? What if I take an art class? What if I go surfing?
So, to me, eliminating the extra “what if” clutter and learning to improvise & make do with what I already have is what I’d like to do.