A lot can be said about minimalism, a trend that has taken the world by storm over the past few years, leading many people to reconsider how they shop, store their belongings and how many things they need. However, you might not have considered the importance of keeping things simple when it comes to packing your luggage for a trip. There’s a tendency to overpack when you’re going on holiday and bring more items than you need “just in case”.

But all that does is leave you with no choice but to carry a lot of weight around. You won’t wear those clothes, but you will also want to be extra careful not to lose or misplace anything. That’s too much stress and trouble for a vacation when you’re supposed to relax and unwind. Yet, you might have found yourself caught in an endless loop of bringing too many things along, telling yourself you won’t make the same mistake the next time, and then repeating the cycle.

If you want your next trip to be different, here are some of the things you should keep in mind.

Careful planning

When preparing for a trip, you have several things you need to take into consideration, including the accommodation and the sightseeing you’ll do after you arrive. You plan your budget and most likely have a schedule in place. You’ve probably already looked into parking Manchester Airport to find the best place available for your vehicle. But how many people do you know that plan their luggage?

If it sounds a little over the top, you should give it a little more careful thought. Planning what items you’ll bring along in advance means that you won’t end up with too much but won’t be stuck doing laundry all the time because you don’t have enough changes of clothes with you. Think about what you plan to do during your time away from home, and pack accordingly.

For example, if you want to do a lot of hiking, you’ll need a lot of comfortable gear and don’t have to fuss about bringing anything too formal, unless, of course, you’ll have a special restaurant dinner later in the evening.

Go light

Incorporating minimalism into how you pack your suitcase means you’ll only bring the essentials. Not only is it better for you because you don’t have to worry about losing anything and not realising until you’re already back home, but you won’t have to haul heavy bags at the airport and strain your back and your arms. Look on Parkos.co.uk for the best options available for your car, so you’re close to the airport and don’t have to go through long distances at departure or arrival.

You should use compression bags or packing cubes to keep everything organised and in perfect order. It will save space and ensure you don’t arrive at the destination with all your items in a crumpled mess. Rolling or folding clothes will also provide you with more space. Avoid getting any checked luggage if you won’t be away for several weeks since you most likely won’t need it. You also cut back on the costs and travel more comfortably. Being able to fit everything into a carry-on is the epitome of minimalist packing, and it should be enough for a week or two. Not having a checked bag also helps you save time since you don’t have to wait at the baggage claim.

Choosing a larger backpack as a carry-on is also more functional because you can use all the extra compartments, the ideal choice to ensure you don’t have to go through a lot of stuff to find your passport or wallet. Your hands are also entirely free, meaning that you’ll go through the passport check easier and can hold water or a beverage after the long flight.

The essentials

Even if you have some new outfits you really want to wear, you should first establish if your trip is the best time for it. As a general rule, you should steer clear of anything that’s not very comfortable or versatile. Some items that you should always have room for in your luggage are:

– A classic pair of jeans
– A t-shirt in a neutral colour, either white, black or grey
– A long-sleeved top or jumper for chillier evenings or nights
– A jacket, ideally one that’s water-resistant but still light
– An extra pair of shoes
– A tote bag for all of your essentials

A lot of what you get also depends on the weather. If you’re going someplace sunny and warm, there’s no need to bring a knitted jumper. And if your destination is colder and cloudier, packing short-sleeved tops is pointless.

Shoes

Compared to clothing, shoes are heavier and more difficult to pack because of their shape. Just as with clothes, you shouldn’t try to stuff your bag with them. In most cases, you don’t need more than two pairs when travelling. Don’t bring heels or anything uncomfortable since you’ll most likely do your fair share of walking and sightseeing and don’t want to end up with blisters and bunions.

Sneakers are the best options, but depending on the weather, the second pair should be boots or sandals. To save space, you should wear the heavier, bulkier pair and get the other one in your luggage.

Accessories

Packaging jewellery can be frustrating since wanting to keep it safe can cause you to overpack. If something is precious or has sentimental value, you might want to leave it at home. If you typically enjoy wearing rings and necklaces, you are probably familiar with discovering that you’re missing some of them after returning home from a trip.

Yet, if you absolutely want to bring an extra pair of earrings and a necklace or two, you can use some old, empty pill bottles. They will allow you to keep your things safe and act like makeshift jewellery boxes during your journey, so you always know where you left your things.

Packing for a trip takes quite a lot of effort since you must decide what you’ll bring along and what items are best left at home.