How to pack for vacation

Written by: Jamie

Big thanks to Atlantic Luggage for sponsoring this post and giving away a vacation in the process. You are good people. Obviously, the content and opinions expressed below are that of I Am Not the Babysitter. And on that note, I will say that I am glad we partnered up with them because their s- really is sturdy. I say this as a season traveler with a tendency to drop… everything.

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Packing is my nightmare. I have been putting this post together for months, and I’ve finally decided that I need to simplify my thought-process and make a post just outlining the basics. If you have ADHD like me, fear not, just take my virtual hand and let’s go through this packing adventure together.

Pack your underwear, bras, swimsuits, and socks in an organizer if possible:

It sounds crazy because bras and underwear are the only items in packing I never stress over, but having the bra and panty organizer helps reign in the chaos and makes the rest of my packing much more manageable. (Plus, you don’t have random underwear flying out of your carry on every time you try to dig through your stuff in flight. )

Bundle your clothes! Here is how it works:

Most people are team fold or team roll, but we prefer bundling to make the most of your space AND ward off unwanted creases, even for the most wrinkle-prone clothing.

Don’t be fooled into thinking all you have to do is roll your clothes around each other and you will arrive at your destination with compact, wrinkle-free clothing. You will need to methodically roll each piece correctly in order to successfully pack a proper bundle.

**Pro-tip: be sure to use your underwear organizer in step 1 to create the “core” of the bundle.

Choose your shoes wisely.

Shoes overflow from suitcase

You do not need all those shoes. I repeat: you do not need all those shoes. Yes, I promise. As a chronic footwear over-packer, I know it is tempting to want to throw in every style you own “just in case,” but let’s face it, you don’t and won’t need them. My female friends in the travel industry stick with a “three shoe rule” and after a recent disastrous luggage experience in Nazareth, Israel, (mostly due to my shoe over-packing) I have personally decided to adopt this as a hard and fast rule. Some things to consider:
- Always pack a good pair of flip flops.
- Waterproof flip flops serve as beachwear, work well with daytime and casual wear, and work as house shoes/shower shoes for hotel rooms and questionable showers.
- Choose a good heel, or boot if it is going to be cold.
- Add in an athletic shoe or a good flat, depending on your trip activities.

Store your shoes in shoe travel bags
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**Pro-tip: Always wear the heaviest shoe during travel to save luggage space!

4. Pack a laundry bag

It may seem a bit overkill, but you’ll be happy that you thought ahead and have the ability to separate your clean from dirty clothes.

Invest in small containers for liquids

There are TSA compliant bottles that will be perfect for your oversized liquids. Don’t bring more liquids than you really need. It’s just a hassle.

Don’t forget a clear waterproof bag for makeup

TSA compliant see-through makeup bags make traveling so much easier. Keep that bag in your purse for touch-ups and it will be a breeze getting it through security.

7. House all of your items in the right suitcase.

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