10 Packing Tips for Procrastinators

byAlyssa Ramos

If “The Packing Procrastinator” were a movie, I’d have the leading role. I have no idea why, but I can never seem to pack for a trip any earlier than a few hours before my plane takes off, which tends to not end well.

But I know I’m not the only one. The packing struggle is real for a lot of travelers, which is why it helps to know a few tricks to help you master the art of procrastinating packing so that you can do other important things the night before, like eat, go out with friends, drink wine, sleep, etc. I made record breaking time this morning, and actually thought about how I did it, so decided to share my tips in case they can help other travel packing procrastinators.

Note: I am the worst morning person ever, have severe ADD, suck at folding, and hate being late…all at the same time…so some of these tips you may not even need unless you’re as bad as me.

1. Be Semi-Responsible and Check-in

You know you got that email from the airline telling you to check-in 24 hours before your flight. I used to just always move them to the spam folder until I realized that you can pay for your checked bag and get a mobile boarding pass when you check in online. Then, when you’re running late, you can just use the curbside bag drop and zoom on through to security instead of having an anxiety attack waiting in line.

2. Know How Much Time You Have

As I was sitting at my laptop at 11:33pm the night before my flight, having my second glass of Chardonnay without the slightest interest in packing, I started contemplating how early I’d have to wake up to pack, and if it was worth the extra hour or two of sleep to just force myself to pack that night. I still had 0 interest in packing, so came up with this scientific mathematical formula to figure out how early you should wake up if you plan on procrastinating packing until the morning:

Part A. 

Add:

Hours you’re supposed to be at the airport before without getting yelled at: 1 hour

Time it takes max to get through security: 25 mins

Time it takes to get there (WeHo to LAX): 35 mins

A = 2 hours

Part B. 

Add:

Time you have to get ready: 30 mins (me)

Time you have to eat: 20 mins

Time you have to pack: 1 hour

Time you have to force yourself out of bed: 10 mins (can be exchanged for time you have to stop what you’re doing and focus if you have a later flight)

Time you have to be distracted and make excuses to pause packing: 30 mins

B = 2.5 hours

Part C.

Add Part A. + Part B. = Part C.

 4 hours and 30 minutes is the ideal amount of time you need before your flight.

SO, take your flight time, and subtract it by 4 hours and 30 minutes, and that’s how much time you have before you need to start packing.

3. Set Your Alarms Accordingly

If you have as much ADD as I do, this trick is definitely worth a try, especially if you’re traveling by yourself and have no one around to tell you to hurry the f up. Now that you know how early you have to wake up, how much time you have to get your shit together, and when you need to leave by, set an alarm on your phone for each…and maybe multiple ones if you have to wake up early.

4. Keep Distractions Away

The first thing the majority of the people in the U.S. do in the morning is check their phones. You may check your phone. But you should try extremely hard to limit it to every 30 minutes, and keep your TV off and your laptop closed.

I lost ten minutes this morning because I got distracted by a Twitter travel chat, and another ten because my dog was so damn cute that I kept having to play with him. Although the latter is inevitable, you can pack your laptop in your carry-on early to prevent yourself from using it while you get ready.

5. Get Ready FIRST

Do not try to pack first then get ready. You’ll end up going back through your bag to try and find something, or forgetting something after you’ve used it. Instead, shower first, then, take whatever you used in the bathroom (shampoo, razor, toothbrush, etc.) and put it in your luggage. If you’re checking a bag, make sure your shampoo and any other liquids are in a big Ziplock bag. If you’re carrying on, make sure you have travel sized liquids that are also in a smaller Ziploc bag.

Do the same thing after you do your hair, makeup, lotion, deodorant, etc. Whatever you use, put it in the bag. If you’re a pro packing procrastinator like me, you’ll have already had a pre-packed plastic bag of TSA approved liquids stored in your carry-on…but that’s none of my business tho.

6. Pick the Perfect Plane Outfit

Don’t you dare consider rolling out of bed and going to the airport in your pajamas. You need to pick the perfect outfit for the plane. It should be classy, comfortable, and strategically planned.

Always wear long pants, preferably with a pocket so you can put your I.D. and credit card in it to easily access at the airport and on the plane. Wear a long sleeved shirt, and bring some sort of blazer or jacket. This is to save you from touching seat germs, save space in your luggage, keep you warm, and to make you look like a sophisticated traveler.

ALWAYS wear closed-toed shoes and SOCKS. Period. If you’re bringing boots, wear those, as it will also save luggage space. Keep your outfit in mind when packing the rest of your outfits, and see what items can be re-worn to make other ensembles.

7. Pick Out Outfits Like You’re Getting Ready

Don’t even try to do the whole “5 shirts, 2 pants, 3 shoes” method. Go to your closet and pick out an outfit that you’d wear during the day. Put it on your bed. Forget about it. Go back to your closet, pick out another outfit you’d wear (bonus points if you use an item from the first outfit), put it on your bed. Forget about it.

Do this for however many days your trip is for, making sure to include outfits for any special occasions. Also make sure you are well aware of the weather wherever you’re going, and pack outfits accordingly. By default, you should typically pack 2 pairs of underwear and socks per day you are traveling for, and a bathing suit just in case.

8. Know How to Down Size

If after you’ve picked out your outfits and placed them in your luggage, you experience the typical bulging of your zipper, you may need to down size your packing load. Yes, it’s painful, and terrifying…but necessary. Take out your clothes and make two piles – “Yes” and “Maybe”. Then…..leave the “Maybe” pile. Sorry.

If you’re over-stuffed for better reasons other than, “I might need three black shirts in case two get dirty”, like you have thick sweaters to bring to Antarctica, I have a little secret for you… Travel Space Bags.

They’re like the vacuum-sealed storage bags you use for storage at home, except instead of a vacuum, you simply seal the bag shut like a giant Ziploc, then roll the air out of it. It shrinks your bulky items down so you can fit them in your luggage. I also use these bags for dirty laundry so they don’t smell and take up space.

9. Do a Final Check for Important Items

If you forget to pack socks, you can buy them wherever you go…if you forget to pack a laptop charger, or I.D., you’re screwed. Here’s a list of important items to double check for, and keep readily accessible:

– I.D. and/or Passport

– Credit & Debit Card

– Travelers Cheques/Foreign Currency (if traveling abroad)

– Phone & Charger

– Laptop & Charger

– Adaptors (if traveling abroad)

– Flight information

– Copies of travelers insurance, vaccines, cards, passport, I.D., itinerary, etc. (if going abroad) both print AND emailed to yourself

– Medications, contacts, glasses, etc.

10. Pack the PERFECT Carry-On

Words cannot express my pride in mastering packing the perfect carry-on bag for my flight. I learned this amazing technique when I went to three continents in three weeks, and had to take a ton of flights to do it. The trick is to use a sturdy, simple bag like my Harvey’s Seatbelt bag, then pack the things you’d need to be traveling on a plane one full day, in the order of which you’d use them.

For instance, in my typical carry-on for the flight:

I first pack: a notepad, my agenda, and my laptop & phone charger (tip: use a hair-tie to keep chords organized), and also my wallet however I keep my I.D. and debit card in my pocket.

In the pockets I pack: my GoPro, my foldable travel toothbrush, ear buds, travel makeup compact, a pen with a stylus end (for planes with touch screens), mini-lint roller, and business cards…just in case I meet anyone I want to keep in touch with on the plane.

Last I add: My laptop, my Ziplock bag of liquids (aka lipgloss, toothpaste, perfume, and hand sanitizer), my sunglasses, and eventually my cell phone.

If I have long or multiple layovers, I can also shove face wash, and even a change of clothes in there as well. If you have room, always pack a thin change of clothes…just in case something happens to your luggage.

Lastly, remind your ride of what time you need to be picked up, and add twenty minutes to that time in case they’re late. If you don’t have a ride…re-evaluate your friends (jk), and call Uber or a taxi at least ten minutes before you’re scheduled go time.

Have something to add to these packing tips? Let me know!