How to pack your suitcase for one week/one month

Packing can be such a chore sometimes, and it is something I usually end up putting off until the last minute, which is not a good idea because I almost always forget something.

It is difficult, at the start especially, to find all the essentials that you need. Sometimes, even making my own little list does not help, because I start wondering whether I am listing all the right items or not.

This usually led me to overpack every time and drag a large suitcase around with me. In the end, I would not even use half the things I had packed! Imagine how much of a hassle that was.

Therefore, I thought, why not make a guide on what essentials to always bring along? This includes packing for short trips or longer trips, as well as abroad or within the country.

I created a general guide just for you in order to help you with the packing process. The first guide is aimed at trips for up to one week, the second guide is aimed for minimum one week and up to a month.

One Week

• Travel wallet. It is used to organise all your important documents, such as your Passport, travel tickets, etc. You can also keep your credit/debit cards, keys, cash, medication, first aid kit, and emergency contacts.
• Phone and charger. Bring plug adapters as well if needed.
• Headphones or earbuds.
• Ear plugs and eye mask, if you sleep better with these.
• Laptop and/or tablet. Bring the necessary electronic chargers.
• Tissues.
• Toiletries. Using travel size toiletries can save a lot of space! These include:
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Body wash/soap
  • Hairbrush
  • Hairstyling appliances
  • Facial cleanser, moisturiser, sun cream and lip balm
  • Contact lenses and solution (if you have any)
  • Shaving supplies
  • Make up and make up remover
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Tweezers
  • Hand sanitiser.
• Jewellery. Only bring two pairs of earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces.
• Clothes, which are best rolled up to avoid creasing and to save space in your suitcase. Some tips for choosing what to include:
  • To help you streamline your wardrobe, use the 5 4 3 2 1 rule. This limits you to five pairs of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one accessory, which can be a hat or a belt, or anything else. You can adjust the list to suit your needs.
  • Something else you can do is lay out everything you think you need, as well as what you want to take, then start selecting from the pile. Make sure that at first you choose one of everything.
  • When packing your clothes into the suitcase, think of it as Tetris. Fill every inch of space available and roll your clothes, or fold them in specific ways, to be able to fit as much as possible.

One Month

This one month guide is an extension of the one week guide. If you are travelling for a month or more than a week, then start off by looking through the one week guide first before checking off items from the one month guide.

• Books or e-books. If you feel that you will have some free time, you can bring one just in case you want to spend 30 minutes every night reading or bring one for your journeys.
• Travel blanket. Keep cosy with this blanket! It can also come in handy in many other ways, such as using it as a picnic blanket.
• Travel pillow, if you think you need one.
• Food, snacks and gum.
• Camera or video camera with a memory card and charger. If you prefer just using your phone that is also fine.
• Paper and pen, just in case. You never know when you might need it to write something down.
• Map or a guidebook for your destination. It can be helpful to use one to help you around.
• Laundry bag for your clothes. You want to keep them separate from your clean clothes.
• Jewellery. With more time, comes more options with what jewellery you can wear. Bring three or four pairs of each Jewellery.
• Clothes. Here is a more detailed list of items you can bring along (the quantity for each is up to preference):
  • Underwear
  • Bras
  • Socks
  • Pyjamas
  • T shirts
  • Casual tops
  • Fancy tops 
  • Jeans
  • Trousers
  • Shorts
  • Skirts
  • Dresses
  • Hoodies
  • Sweatshirts/Jumpers
  • Formal wear (if appropriate)
  • Swimsuits
  • Coat/Jacket/Rainwear
  • Hats, gloves and scarf
  • Umbrella
  • Walking shoes
  • Athletic shoes
  • Dress shoes
  • Sandals/Flip-flops
  • Belts
  • Bags

Use this to start off, however, keep in mind that there may be other items that you think is important, so add that onto your own list alongside this guide. By doing this, every time you pack a suitcase or a bag in the future, the process will start to become easier and easier.