What Things to Pack for a Trip & What Mistakes to Avoid!
This past week was definitely full of adventure – new experiences, new places and new people. And, on top of all of that, I discovered that I made several serious packing mistakes! So, I’m going to share 5 Tips to avoid my packing mistakes so you’ll know what things to pack for a trip next time you head out!
On Friday morning, just a few days after Hurricane Irma blew through our state, I was on a plane headed to Portland, Oregon. I had never been to Portland, so I was very excited to be going. I was going to meet with a group of bloggers who are all taking a blogging course together. This conference was to encourage and help all of us on our blogging journeys. It was a lot of fun to meet in person a lot of fellow bloggers that I had met online.
Thankfully my packing mistakes didn’t ruin the rest of my weekend, but they definitely were felt throughout the weekend!
Avoid These 5 Packing Mistakes
I’ve compiled a list of the 5 big mistakes I made and this helps you know what things to pack for a trip for your next adventure! So, here we go…
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Wait until the last minute to pack
Typically I pack my bags to go on a trip several days ahead of time. This gives me time to double check everything! This trip, because of extenuating circumstances (Hurricane Irma) I didn’t have the luxury of packing ahead of time. The week prior to the hurricane was incredibly busy and stressful trying to get ready for the hurricane. Here’s a link to that post. The bottom line is because I wound up waiting until the last minute to pack, I made a series of unfortunate packing mistakes. Even being a veteran packer…I still screwed it all up!
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Didn’t make a list
This might just be the biggest of all my mistakes! I am a huge fan of lists!! But, because of all the distractions prior to this trip, it didn’t even occur to me to make a list?! I never would have thought it possible that I wouldn’t think to make a list. But, there ya go! And, because I didn’t make a list, I forgot my hairbrush (yikes), my moisturizer (ugh), and I over packed my clothes! Lesson learned!! I hope anyway…
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Forgot Water
If you’ve ever flown, you probably know one of the most important things to pack for a trip is water! Especially for a long flight. Well, along with all those other things, I forgot to bring a water bottle with me for this flight. And, not only did I forget to bring a water bottle, but I didn’t have time to stop and buy one at the airport (you’ll hear about that next). So, while I was able to get a couple of small cups of water from the flight attendant on my flight, it wasn’t nearly what I would have drunk if I had brought my own bottle! As a result, I started my weekend feeling dehydrated!
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Didn’t check flight information before heading out
Flying 101: check your flight information the day before flying!! A serious rookie mistake that almost cost me my flight! Apparently, between the time I booked my flight and the time I flew, the airlines changed their schedule. This isn’t unusual for airlines to make changes, but it was unusual for me to not notice the changes. Even when I checked in online the day before flying, I didn’t notice the change?! Thankfully, on the way to the airport, I did notice that my flight time changed to an hour earlier!!
Somehow, I got through that airport amazingly fast that morning! And thankfully, I didn’t have to check any luggage, so I went straight to security, to the tram that takes you across the airport to the gates, and all the way down to the gate. I had 15 minutes to spare when I stepped onto the plane. So, because of that mistake (not checking my timing), I didn’t have any water or coffee or breakfast that morning. But, because we had left early ~ I did actually make my flight.
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No pillow for the long flight
I felt this mistake on the way home (my red-eye flight) rather than the flight out. One of my favorite things to pack for a trip, especially a long trip, is my blow-up pillow. When I don’t need it, it folds up very small and fits in my carry-on. And, when I do need it, I can control how much I blow it up. For some reason, the microfiber pillows always seem just a little too big and awkward for me. So, I really love my blow up pillow and was really missing it on my flight home.
What Things to Pack for a Trip!
So, now you know the sad tale of my Series of Unfortunate Packing Mistakes! I hope that by posting this you can learn from and avoid these mistakes! To aid in this, I have created a Packing List (which I promise I’ll be using next time) to help know what things to pack for a trip next time we go. If you’d like to download this FREE Packing List, just click here!
Packing Mistakes to Avoid
* Don’t wait until the last minute
* Bring a favorite water bottle to fill
* Check flight info early
* Bring a pillow for a long flight
* Have a Packing List! (you can grab mine here)
A Few of My Favorite Things…
These are some of the products I mentioned in this article! They are all products I use and love!
Other Articles You Might Enjoy
How to Pack the Perfect Carry-On
10 Unique Travel Gifts ~ Ideas for the Traveler in Your Life
How to Survive Hurricane Season While on Vacation
Becki is the author and founder of A Book Lover’s Adventures. She has a degree in elementary education, has worked and volunteered in libraries for years, and spent several years in the travel industry. All of this has led to a love of books and travel. Becki loves to share her love by finding literary escapes to share!
You really have a great post here with common mistakes travelers do. I am also a list maker and I have an ultimate alphabetical packing list that is good for ANY flight or road trip. It’s like my Bible for packing. LOL I also love your tip about bringing water or at least a refillable bottle since you have to throw your liquid out a lot of times before boarding.
Guilty last minute packer, but I do use a list. I did not know the airlines would move the time of your filght. I do not fly very often.
I am such a last minute packer now. I need to use these tips so I don’t forget things.
Good points! I am guilty of being a last minute packer! Hahah.
Congrats Becki, I’ve nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award for all you’ve done to inspire me in my own blogging journey!
You can find my official nomination for you on my post at https://www.scenicsuitcase.com/blogger-award-recognitions/
Congratulations again!
Thanks so much, Stephanie!! That really means a lot 🙂
Hubby is a last minute packer whereas I love a list and packing like a week or two before hand hahah!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week!
I use to be the WORST last minute packer!! Now I make sure I am fully packed at least a full day in advance, with my list of the things that have to wait until the day of (tooth brush, etc), sitting on top of the suitcase so I don’t forget them that morning. What a great list!! I still constantly forget the water!
Thanks Melanie! I like your idea of leaving the last few items on top of your suitcase so you don’t forget them. I might just borrow that idea from you 🙂