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{Guest Post from Brooke of HerPackinglist.com}
As the owner of Her Packing List, I see a lot of women enter our community that seem to be asking the same burning question:
“I'm traveling for 2+ weeks. Can I go carry on only… really?”
While I’m sure these women know the answer they are about to receive, the question has less to do with my response and more to do with their acknowledgement of self-doubt. “I know women travel this long using only a carry-on, but willI be able to survive with fewer things than I’m used to?”
And the answer is always a resounding YES.
Because you absolutely can. You can travel for 2 months, or even longer, with just a carry on. In fact, you could travel the world with nothing but the contents of a handbag! (But I'm not expecting you to travel with that little - unless you want to.)
Armed with the right packing tips and most importantly a mindset shift, you can overcome the self-doubt and successfully travel carry-on only for a trip of almost any length.
From the unpredictability of the weather to the spontaneous nature of travel, thinking that you could be prepared for anything and everything is doing two things: 1) causing you to overpack, and 2) stressing you out. Pack the things you know you’ll need, make back-up plans for the “what-ifs”, and plan to deal with the surprises while abroad. See the next point for that.
Ladiesssss… stores exist across the globe, and it’s not going to break the bank if you need to pick up a scarf, a t-shirt, a bar of soap, or even some aspirin. Some women don’t even pack toiletries and instead wait to buy them when they arrive. It saves the worry of liquid spills, and it makes your carry-on more carry-on friendly.
I know it’s a cultural expectation to not be seen wearing the same thing day in and day out, so it can be hard for some women to take less clothing. But in reality, you might notice that you're wearing the same things a few times, but no one else is. Focus on the experiences and enjoy your travels.
The smaller your luggage, the easier it is to pack less. A lot of it comes down to perception. When you have a large suitcase, and a lot of empty space, you tend to fill it. Because why not, right? Not only that, but many carry-on restrictions across the globe also have weight limits, so less stuff equals less weight. I prefer small backpacks for my luggage as they generally weigh less than suitcases with their wheels and frames.
Convertible travel clothing (like the great items in the Encircled line!) will help you pack with purpose for more situations. Beyond clothing, it’s important to consider items like: 1) soaps that can serve as laundry wash or shampoo, 2) solid lotion that can serve as lip balm, or 3) sandals that can also be worn in place of a shower flip-flop in hostels.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to repackage your liquid toiletries into travel bottles. Not only is it necessary to have everything under the 100ml (3.4 oz) mark, the right travel bottles will keep your luggage free of leaking liquids, as well as cut back on space and weight from the original packaging. Little things add up!
As mentioned before, not all carry-on rules are created equally. If you’re traveling a new airline, it’s best to check and double check the specific airline rules because they can vary greatly.
Don’t plan on packing enough clothes for every day of a trip. We recommend no more than a week’s worth at most. Instead, do laundry! If you’re in a bind, a sink is really handy for keeping your undergarments clean.
Avoid bulky items in favor of items that can be paired together. Instead of heavy jackets and coats, opt for bringing 2 lighter items that can be worn together for the same warmth and also on their own.
If you just had a heart attack, my apologies. Shoes are a total space-suck, and some are very heavy! When it comes to traveling carry-on only, the sad truth is you can’t have the perfect shoe for every occasion. Look for shoes that are practical yet versatile enough to work in many situations if need be.
Of course this only works when you’re not struggling with carry-on weight regulations. If you’re not, then you’re very lucky and both cubes and compression can help you fit more stuff into a carry-on sized backpack or suitcase.
Second guessing your packing leads to those last-minute items being thrown into the suitcase before take-off!
There will be a moment when the realization hits you, that traveling carry-on only benefits your trip. It might be when you breeze through check-in, or it might be when you’re walking straight past the hundred people waiting for their luggage at the baggage carousel. It might be when you don’t have issues getting up several flights of stairs in your quaint European hotel. It’s at that point that you will be hooked and wonder why you ever struggled in the first place.
About the author: Brooke Schoenman wants you to pack smarter and travel more confidently. For all the best packing lists and gear reviews, check outHer Packing List, join the uber specialFacebook group, or sign up to get a free copy of3 Steps to Packing Everything You Need & Nothing More.
