While I’m a huge believer in packing efficiently, there’s more to packing efficiently than just packing light! For people who are on the road a lot it’s so helpful to have a streamlined packing routine. And sometimes that means duplicates that stay in your suitcase between trips.
When you travel as much as I do there’s no reason to re-pack the same stuff every week. Too much risk of forgetting that one critical item! These days there are a number of items that live in my suitcase and travel purse. Anything to make packing as simple and quick as possible.
- Electronics. There are a few small electronics, mostly power devices, that I never ever take out of my travel purse. This includes my laptop and phone chargers, power bank, mini surge protector, and flash drive.
- Hair tools. I used to be able to spray some water on my hair and go. Alas, now I need a little more help than that. A brush, travel curling iron, hair bands, bobby pins, and styling creme live in my suitcase now.
- Toiletry case. When I first started traveling for work there were a few things-like my razor and deodorant- that I would re-pack for every trip. It only took one trip of forgetting these super important grooming items before I wised up and bought a set just for traveling. Now my entire toiletry kit lives in my suitcase. No need to put it in the bathroom cabinet between trips! Too much risk of forgetting it.
- Umbrella. Yes, I could just look at the forecast and only pack it when it’s needed. But I need a streamlined routine! A travel umbrella is small enough that it fits into a small corner of my travel purse, so I am always covered if it rains.
- Medicine. I’ve needed ibuprofen or Tums and not had them too often. Now little travel bottles stay in my travel purse, along with Emergen-C and Tylenol-PM.
- Packing Cubes. I used to put them up in between trips then forget where they were. Now they live in my suitcase all the time.
Other suggestions: slippers, business cards, a reversible belt, a travel towel, makeup.
Readers, what do you keep in your suitcase between trips?
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I always travel with a pair of gardening gloves. Don’t want to hurt my fingers handling heavy luggages.
A travel yoga mat, strap, and two massage balls(size of tennis balls) live in my carry-on so I always have a workout space in my hotel room. Really important for getting the kinks out after a long day of travel and/or meetings.
Vikki H …. if you see this, can you share your travel yoga mat?
@Michelle in the past I have used the Manduka eKo Superlite Travel Mat and really liked it.
Because most of my travel these days is to be with my 99 year old mom, I carry duplicates of all the medical POAs, med history and med list for her. I also keep a list of PRN meds that I need to pack, the everyday ones I carry in small plastic envelopes. I also carry a single plug that holds two 12 foot charger cords, one for my iPhone and one for my Kindle. There’s nothing like being stuck at an airport because of a weather hold and being out of power. I have a purse sized power pack in case I run out on the plane.