An Overpacker’s Method for a Stress-Free Holiday

If you’re the 1% of the human population that is actually hyper-organized, always on time, never stressed and actually enjoys packing… well, this story is not for you.

For the rest of us 99%, we can all agree that we’re guilty of over overpacking and overstressing (even if it’s just for the weekend) over and over… and over again more often than we like. So, this holiday, the team and I decided to do a travel story on how the usual overpacker can stay actually sane and stress-free this holiday season whether it be for a weekend fête or a long holiday getaway.

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🛍 WHEN PACKING 🛍

• Roll your socks into your shoes. It’s a great way to fill up the space that your shoes are already taking.
• Roll your clothes as tightly as possible. This keeps them as wrinkle free as possible and saves space in your suitcase.
• Bring a candle. When traveling and reaching your final destination, having a familiar scent you love is clutch. It instantly puts your mind and body at ease and releases tension.
• Make. Your. Suitcase. Work. for. You. This one has an ejectable battery charger that’s compliant with all airline policies and is TSA-approved. GENIUS. There’s nothing worse than reaching your destination only to find out that your phone’s dead.
• Actually condense your beauty routine down to one bag/sturdy case and invest in travel sized items. That way, you can bring them on the plane with you. If you can’t pack just one bag and need tips on a whole travel skincare situation, click here.
• Pack a loose duster bag or shoe bag with your underwear in it. Pack 2 bags in total so you know which pieces are clean and which ones are dirty. This will also help you stay organized throughout your trip.

✈️ ON THE PLANE  ✈️

• Wear your heaviest jacket on the plane. This saves you a lot of space and also serves as your chic in-flight blanket.
• Invest in Airpods. They’re hands and wire free and 100% worth the $$$. Just make sure you download your music before you take off.
• Bring an empty water bottle. Better yet, a self-cleaning water bottle and use the fountain water to fill it up. I don’t know about you, but not spending $7 for a bottle of water sounds good to me. It’s also good way to stay hydrated while you travel as airplanes tend to dry out your skin and usually leave you feeling dehydrated due to the low humidity in the plane.
• Invest in a mophie. It’s under $50 and one of the best things you can buy. Keep it in your beauty bag, purse, laptop bag, wherever! It’s so thin and sleek and can charge about 2 iPhones fully. We’ve all been there where our phone has only 7% battery left and we don’t need to be living life on the edge like that.

• Bring a magazine or book you’ve been wanting to read. Unplug from the digital world for a few. It will be good for you.
• Pack a lavender satchel your suitcase or in your pocket to calm your nerves if you’re a nervous flyer. Lavender is known to have a calming effect on your central nervous system.
• Don’t forget to moisturize your lips. They can get so dry on the plane and right now we’re really loving this hyaluronic marine collagen lip cushion. It smoothes fine lines, plumps your lips, and can also be used as a base under your lipstick.
• Jane swears by her CBD tincture to stabilize her mood and calm down any nerves you may have while flying.  Note that you do not get any type of body high with CBD and make sure you check all TSA guidelines before bringing this guy on the plane with you.
• Pack that sleeping mask. There is nothing worse than sitting next to that ONE person who always turns on the lights when flying. Take no chances and make sure you get the beauty rest you deserve while in-flight.

Photography by Karla Ticas