Overpacking: 20+ Ways To End Your Meaningless Suffering
Overpacking is a problem that can can turn a dream trip into a logistical nightmare. When people enjoy their trip and save their strength by carrying a convenient daysack, you are stucked with a bulky luggage, stuffing things you won’t even use. So how can you end this misery to travel light and happy? Let’s find out why you tend to overpack and 20+ tips to avoid the problem in this article!
What Does Overpacking Mean?
Overpacking means packing more than you need. Photo by Татьяна Волкова - stock.adobe.com
Overpacking can be understood simply as packing more than you need on a trip. This is a common mistake for both first-time travellers and experienced ones.
Not only will it take unnecessary effort to bring along, but overpacking will also create many problems throughout the trip. From the very first moment you decide to bring lots of luggage, you have committed to suffer the weight everywhere you go, unable to purchase many souvenirs as there might not be enough space, pay extra fees, etc.
Why Do I Always End Up Overpacking?
“Everyone knows that overpacking isn’t good. But why do I keep on making this mistake?”
The answer is quite simple: you are worried.
What if I need this one? What if something happens? Will I be able to get this there? Will I have to spend money to buy this one there? These are all common questions when packing for your upcoming trip. When you aren’t sure whether you’ll need them or not, the safest way is to bring them all along.
The worry that leads to overpacking usually happens because you haven’t researched your destination and planned your trip carefully beforehand. If you understand the status of the destination, the surrounding locations, the lifestyle, etc., you won’t be wondering whether you will need something or not all the time.
For example, if you know that your destination is a developed modern city, you probably won’t bother to bring things like flashlights, multi-tools, etc. Or if you know that the place you visit will be very hot when you arrive, bringing a coat is obviously a meaningless decision.
How Do I Stop Overpacking?
Telling you to stop overthinking everything while packing might not be able to solve the problem at all. So, here are 25 tips that we think are helpful to stop you from over packing when travelling. Keep in mind that these tips are not arranged in any order.
1. Pick The Right Backpack
Picking the right backpack from the beginning can be more helpful than you think, as it will limit your luggage size and stop you from bringing so many things. Take into account where you go, how many days you will travel and how you like to travel. If you only travel for a few days and already have a big suitcase, bringing a huge backpack along will be unnecessary.
Tip: If you don’t usually have specific needs for an equipment backpack, go for one that will cover most of your basic needs like daysacks from CabinZero. With various sizes and made of water-resistant material, you can easily use these backpacks on any trip to travel light and comfortable with their airflow system compression straps.
2. Research Your Destination
As we’ve said before, a lot of your worries happen because you don’t understand your destination. Research its geography, lifestyle, culture, etc. Understand what you can find and where to find them at your destination. Your burden will lessen knowing that you can buy them there if you actually need them, therefore stopping you from overpacking.
3. Plan Your Schedule Ahead
Preparing your schedule ahead allows you to decide what you need better. Which places will you visit, how will you get there, etc? Start packing for the definite plan first, how many clothes you will need or what you will surely use when you visit there. Then you can add things in if there is still space.
4. Don’t Use The Full Capacity
This is a very helpful tip for overpacking anxiety: never pack your luggage to its full capacity. This will remind you that there isn’t much space like you think and stop you from bringing everything you come up with. Saving the capacity in your luggage can also be helpful when you buy souvenirs later.
5. Use Packing Cubes
Separating your luggage into different packing cubes can help you limit the quantity of each kind you bring. These bags will make you visually understand how much you brought. They can also divide different types of clothes and save space in your packing bag.
6. Choose A Concept
Choose a consistent concept and stick to it when choosing the clothes and accessories for your trip. This will help you eliminate clothes you won’t ever wear and even combine them better without having to bring too much. This will also make you think more carefully about what you should pack and what you don’t. Here are some inspirations to style your backpacks and fanny packs for yourself.
7. Limit Accessories
When travelling, you might want to bring a lot of fancy accessories to dress up and take pictures. But, keep in mind that you probably won’t wear them as much as you thought. Keep it down to 1-2 pairs for a few days.
8. Match Your Outfits Beforehand
When packing your outfits, match them beforehand to see which ones should go with each other. Choose those that are versatile. A shirt can be worn with both trousers and skirts, a coat that can fit any outfit, etc. Having everything planned ahead will save you time on the trip and help you pack fewer clothes.
9. Coordinate The Luggage With Your Companions
If you are going to travel with someone, it’s best to discuss with them which essentials you’ll both need. Then decide who will be responsible for carrying which. Because it’s a waste of space to bring the same one and don't use it at all.
10. Use Travel-Sized Products
Using travel-size products helps you save space in your luggage without overpacking. You can never use up a full-size shampoo or face cleansing on a trip. Why bother to bring them all when your luggage can be lighter?
11. Choose Items That Can Be Squeezed
Overpacking will never be a problem with these helpful tips.
Packing bulky things can take up a lot of space in your luggage and make it much heavier. Instead, go for things that can be squeezed to be able to pack more. Down jackets, sarongs, quick-dry clothes, to name just a few.
12. Be Ready To Spend Money
When travelling, don’t hesitate to spend money. Be ready to buy things if you don’t bring them along. This is a chance to try out some local products and who knows, maybe you will find some impressive things you want to buy at home.
13. Utilise The Amenities In Your Hotel
You can skip packing things that your hotel already provides. Of course, it depends on the quality of your hotel to guess whether they provide quality products or not. However, saving space by using their personal care products for a few days won’t hurt.
14. Prepare Multi-Purpose Products
Setting aside your overpacking worries might not be easy. In this case, go for things that are multi-purpose. This will relieve your stress knowing that there are things you can use if needed. Multi-purpose products also allow you to pack less and optimise your bag space.
15. Check The Weather
A lot of things you bring along will depend on the weather. Learn about the overall weather of the season and the detailed predictions during your time there. If you are still anxious about the weather suddenly changing, limit it to 1-2 products for backup.
16. Prioritise The Essentials
Focus on packing the essentials. This means packing things you will surely use first. Then if there is still space, pack some of the things you want or think that you might use at some point during the trip. What you think you should bring might not be something you will use at all.
17. Go Digital
A kindle can replace hundreds of books. You can store guidebooks,, documents, and photos on your mobile phone. If you only travel for a few days, bringing physical entertainment along will be unnecessary, especially if your flight has airplane entertainment.
18. Check Baggage Limitations
Overpacking can lead to baggage fees, which we all want to avoid.
To see how much luggage you can bring, besides considering your own needs and plan, search up the baggage limitations of your transportation. You will have to pay attention to this factor the most if you travel by plane. But even if you travel by your own car or especially by coach, learn whether there is space to keep your luggage or not.
19. Consider Renting Gear
Don’t bother bringing your own gear on your trip unless you are 100% sure that you will participate and want to keep your budget as low as possible. These things can be extremely heavy and bulky. There will always be stuff you can rent at the attraction. And you might change the plan anytime.
20. Avoid Bulky Snacks
Bringing snacks along to share with your friend is a good idea. But keep it down to a few small ones. You will surely try a lot of local dishes at your destination, and you can probably buy some snacks there as well. Packing bulky snacks is a waste of space in your bag and can even make it heavier.
21. Pack Empty Bags
Remember to bring some empty travel bags for spare. Though this may not seem helpful to avoid overpacking, it gives you extra space for things you purchase in the future. Psychologically, it reminds you that you have a lot to buy on the trip and prevents your temptation to bring too much from the start. Check out the packable CabinZero ADV Dry for such purpose.
22. Learn Packing Techniques
The overpacking pitfall comes from not thinking head and packing strategically.
Efficient packing techniques are useful to help you bring a smaller bag or save space in your luggage. These tips allow you to organise better, keep what you bring along in check and therefore stop you from overpacking your bag.
23. Search For Emergency Alternatives
If you are still worried that you may need something on the trip, search for the alternatives and where you can find them at your destination beforehand. Prepare a plan B for what you think you will use instead of actually bringing it along.
24. Sum Up Everything Into A Checklist
Write down everything you need on a checklist. This way, you can easily control how many things you packed and the purpose of them. You will see what you don’t really use to eliminate and make sure you don’t forget anything you need.
25. Calm yourself
The last and also the most important thing, calm yourself. Stop overthinking every circumstance. There won’t be as many things happening to you during your trip as you thought. You can skip the schedule you planned or suddenly change your mind. Anything can occur and you won’t use everything you prepared at all.
Less is More
In the end, travelling is to enjoy the local setting. Preparing carefully is necessary but don’t let packing stop you from enjoying the fun. There are always local products to try out and improvising on a trip will surely give you a memorable experience. Remember to comment and share this article if you find it helpful to your travel. Also, don’t forget to bring a CabinZero bag to pack right for the flight.
Thuc Huong
Leave a comment