Organize + Energize: What Not to do When Packing for Your Next Getaway

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Kristin MacRae, GoLocalWorcester Organizing Expert

Are you the type of person that brings 3 suitcases for a weekend getaway? Do you find that you over pack and then realize you’ve even forgotten items once you arrive at your destination? Vacations are for decompressing, relaxing and are supposed to be stress free. Don’t let the process of packing for your next getaway become an overwhelming task.

Planning on going away soon? Here are 8 things NOT to do when packing for your next getaway:

Don’t wing it. Plan and prepare. Start making a list of things you want to pack. Coordinate outfits, write down all of the toiletries you need to bring. Clear the mental clutter and put everything onto paper. Do this a week or two before you go away. Take 15 minutes to write out your list. Use this as a guide when you are getting ready to pack. If you wing it, you will over pack and you will also forget to pack items.

Don’t pack like you are going away for a month. Over packing is the biggest mistake people make. Coordinate outfits ahead of time. Mix and match pieces. Think about the different outfits you will need. Again, planning will help you figure out what you need as opposed to waiting last minute and throwing everything into a suitcase.

Don’t leave any empty space in your suitcase. Fill every inch of your suitcase. Stuff socks into shoes. Place underwear, bras and other small items in between crevices in the suitcase. Maximize the space in your suitcase and don’t leave any empty space.

Don’t throw your clothes in the suitcases. Fold items as small as you can. There is a process to packing a suitcase and the smaller you fold the clothes and the tighter you pack them, the more you will be able to fit in the suitcase.

Don’t bring your entire shoe closet. Choose one or two pairs of dressy shoes, a pair of beach shoes and a pair of running shoes. Wear one of these the day of your trip. Don’t fill up your suitcase with shoes. Again plan your outfits and pick a shoe or a couple of pairs that match multiple outfits.

Don’t bring full size toiletries. Purchase trial size items or transfer liquids into carry on containers. You may even use the entire product by the end of the trip and then you will create more space in your suitcase for souvenirs or other items. Full-size toiletries take up prime real estate in a suitcase, plus if they leak, they will cause more of a mess for you.

Don’t assume that you will remember everything. Write items down if you have to. Use a checklist and cross off as you prepare to pack. The one item you think you will remember is usually the item you forget to pack.

Don’t pack a half hour before you have to leave. We have enough stress today in regards to traveling. Don’t let this packing process overwhelm and stress you out. A few nights before you leave, lay out your clothes and everything you want to pack. Have everything folded and ready to go. The night before you can pack everything into your suitcase in an organized fashion. Pack your travel toiletries and anything else you won’t be using. The morning of your trip pack your daily items after you use them.

Remember, this process doesn’t have to be stressful and overwhelming unless you allow it to be. Planning and preparing is the key to success. Have a great trip!

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. She has appeared on air on Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio and her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start. She is also available for organizing workshops. Tune into her weekly radio show, Organize, Energize! on talkstreamradio.com.

Related Slideshow: 5 Organizing Blunders

Avoid these mistakes and your project will take less time than you expected. You won’t be as stressed or as overwhelmed as you anticipated. You will be amazed at what you have accomplished. You will be motivated and energized to tackle another project.

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Not planning ahead

Getting organized is a process and you have to have a plan on how to conquer your project. You can’t tear apart an entire room all at once. You need to break the project down into small pieces. Plan to tackle your project in 3-hour increments. If you work longer than 3 hours at a time, you are setting yourself up for burnout. Plan ahead to try to avoid distractions and stay focused.

Click here for more tips on how to avoid distractions.

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Purchasing the incorrect supplies

I know you are excited to get organized, but don’t rush out to the store and purchase products just because you like the way they look. Get organized first. Figure out what you need to contain, and then purchase your container to match the items you need it to hold.

Click here for more on choosing the right container.

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Not letting others know about your system

Once you set up the organized system, you have to get everybody in your home on board. Show them the systems and how you are going to function with this system going forward. Label everything if you must, so everybody gets in the habit of putting items away. Remember, the simpler the system, the easier it’s going to be to maintain.

Need help creating those systems? Go here.

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Not maximizing your space

Use every inch of space and use it well. Take everything out of the area you are organizing. You can’t get a clear visual of the space if it is filled with clutter. Shifting items around is not going to work.

Here are more tips on maximizing your space.

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Repeatedly clearing spaces

You are creating more work for yourself if you continue to clear spaces once a month. Create a system and allow everything in your home to have its own place, and you will never have to clear a space again.

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