How I finally stopped overpacking (and you can too)
The exact tips and products I rely on to pack lighter for every short trip
I used to be a serial overpacker. Even for a weekend trip, I would drag my largest suitcase along because I refused to travel without A) outfit options and B) every product I might conceivably want. I hated worrying about overhead bin space and never worried about lost luggage, so I genuinely believed checking a bag was the more convenient choice. To me, comfort meant options, and I wanted all of them.
That mindset suited me just fine until I started traveling for work. Suddenly, I found myself standing at baggage claim for 30 minutes next to a coworker clutching their single carry-on and trying (politely) not to look annoyed. After a few of those moments, it became clear that my system was no longer serving me.
Despite my deep skepticism of people who make carry-on only! travel their entire personality, I decided to give it an honest try. Most of my travel is short-haul, especially between NYC and Columbus, Ohio, where my family lives. And the truth is, regardless of how long I stay, I’m not exactly living a high-octane lifestyle while I am there. If I’m leaving the house it’s usually for grocery runs, and maybe the occasional movie if I’m feeling adventurous. That realization changed everything.
Somehow—shockingly, even to me!—I have become very good at packing light for short trips. If you’re an overpacker who wants to change but doesn’t want to suffer, let me show you how.
Read on for:
The simple packing system that stops me from bringing half my closet
The products I rely on to make carry-on travel actually comfortable
How I build outfits that work harder so I can pack less
The mindset shift that finally cured my “just in case” packing habit
1. Shrink your toiletries before shrinking your wardrobe
Most people focus on clothes first, but toiletries are where overpackers like me really tend to lose control. Decant aggressively. Don’t bring anything full-size if you can help it.
Actionable tips: use my favorite refillable, TSA-friendly capsules or bottles to decant your products and buy travel-size minis of the items you use most. Keeping a pre-packed toiletry kit removes one of the biggest friction points in the packing process.