I grew up with a mom who packed for a trip over days, even weeks, depositing potential pieces on the guest room bed as she selected them. Once departure was imminent, the culling began. Traveling today is easier in many ways (long security lines notwithstanding), but the days of checking suitcases are gone (see Pack Light and Carry On), so I now implement a modified version of her process.
Once the itinerary is fixed and I know what type of activities are involved, then I begin with shoes — function (comfort) slightly over form. Luckily, there are great options these days and I really don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. Then I build the wardrobe with tops outnumbering bottoms about three to one.
Scarves, shawls, and jewelry: the final touches that make the outfits. These vary according to the type of trip and often are fun, inexpensive items found over the years in far flung places. Nothing that would break my heart if lost or stolen.
On to my backpack, repository of laptop, tablet and peripherals; camera and lenses; chargers and adaptors; books and notepads. I love my backpack for its interior and exterior zippered pockets of various sizes and I have a collection of small clear bags in a variety of colors that I use to organize by category.
Even as much as I travel, I still experience pre-trip jitters. Packing the day before gives me the opportunity to run out and pick up items I might have forgotten, run out of, or didn’t realize I needed. Once my bags are packed, I can relax and enjoy the anticipation of another adventure.
travel magnolia 
Perfect timing for our Aftica trip! We are old school like your mom.
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Have a terrific time in Africa! I will follow your adventures on FB. Take lots of photos!!!
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I love these tips. I must add how valuable the ‘Container Store’ sweater bags are for keeping things organized and unwrinkled. Also, they are inexpensive!
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It’s never simple, is it?… I find I always take too much on a plane/hotel trip and not enough on a car/camping trip, and those computer/photo peripherals just seem to get heavier!! I have stopped including any white clothing now, though! One lesson learnt.
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I can so relate about white clothing, although I cannot resist one or two pieces!
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Love this post! Any organizational tips are helpful since—somehow—this gene didn’t get down to me!
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loved this post! time to start thinking about galapagos packing 🙂
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Great tips! And my parents still pack using the “guest room method” too… I actually thought it was just my family who did that! 😆
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Well, my maternal grandmother was Irish…so maybe it’s genetic!
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Hahaha! I suppose with our tendency to emigrate, that makes perfect sense! 😆
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Thanks for these tips! It’ll help for the next trip 🙂
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Haha my mom is the exact same packing for trips–and I’m the opposite! Thanks for sharing with the blogging community 🙂 If you love travel as much as we do, check us out! We’re just starting out on WordPress and having so much fun!
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