PACKING STRESS

this is how you really prevent it this time

Good afternoon, my friends. Sabaaj die maaj? (A.k.a.: How are you?) I still can't quite believe it, but as we speak I am in Thailand. The schedule is so packed with fun that I don't have time to describe in detail how #AMAYZINE it is here, but I will get back to that in detail later this week, you understand.

What my biggest terror was in the past few days? Packing that freaking suitcase. I always wait until the very last moment until there are almost stress spots appearing on my neck, but it doesn't take much, I can tell you. What I did well this time? There was something about preparation. And something about knowing what I was going to do with it. So, in short: something with a plan. Yes, I still can't quite believe it, but I can recommend it to everyone. And so a few tips that saved my life last week.

Step 1: tackle that laundry basket

Maybe the super trendy, super smart packing pros among us have everything ready a week before departure, but eh, not me. I think it's quite a lot if I have everything I want to take hanging clean on the line two days before my trip. So this time I set a ‘laundry alarm’. No kidding. And how chill it was.

Step 2: go shopping before you travel

What a brilliant insight this was, I must say. Before I went to Thailand, I emptied half of the center of Utrecht and behold: no packing stress. And a happy feeling, because all new outfits in my suitcase to shine with. Double win.

”Those bright pink shoes that you only have in mind for that particular outfit, they stay at home”

Step 3: work with a digital packing list (or packing app)

Previously, I sometimes had the habit of turning on the light the night before departure to panic: ‘Don't forget passport, phone charger, and sunglasses’ scribble down. But no, that's a thing of the past since I discovered Packing Pro, an app with various packing lists for all kinds of vacations. And you can check off what is already in your bag. Handy.

Step 4: take everything you want to take (and then pack half of it...)

Another insight. Goodness, I might learn that minimalistic packing again. After my piles were ready to be stuffed into the suitcase, I took the best item from every two dresses. Think of it as a ‘eat half of what you normally eat’ diet. A fashion diet for a skinny suitcase.

Step 5: focus on items that mix and match well

Those bright pink shoes that you only have in mind for that particular outfit, they stay at home. That denim dress that you can wear in two different ways and can practically combine with everything: that one is coming along. Oh dear, I’m becoming an adult...