Packing is usually quite the drudge. Packing for a long-term trip is even more daunting. With so many different aspects of the moving process competing for your attention, it can be hard to get your acts together and properly organise your luggage.
And it could prove quite costly to leave out any important thing. Travelling hundreds or thousands of miles back or forking out cash to buy a new item doesn't sound quite palatable.
We've got plenty of tips here to help you avoid this nightmare.
Create a Packing To-Do List
Putting everything that needs to be done on paper is a great first step to overcoming the overwhelm. You won't be fatigued by constantly jogging your memory to remind yourself of everything. Tips to create a packing list:
Consider your travel destination and your activities there to get a better idea of what you'll need.
Try to balance your act so you don't pack too much or too little.
You probably will only need to carry a few toiletries and personal care items.
Consider bringing versatile items so you can do more with less.
Don't pack that many shoes either - go with versatile pairs that can match multiple outfits.
Carefully Consider your Backpack and Other Luggage
After deciding on what to bring, the next thing to consider is where you'll be packing them. Choose a piece of luggage that's sizable enough to hold your belongings with some room to spare. Make sure it's durable, waterproof, and contains compartments for better organisation.
Start Organising your Belongings
Time to get down to the brass tacks. Start by decluttering your home to prevent things from clouding your judgment unnecessarily.
Ideally, you should finish organising your items days or even weeks ahead of your trip, so you can have enough time to reconsider all that you've packed and ensure you're fully satisfied with your luggage.
Sort Out Your Clothing
Your wardrobe deserves special attention, so set aside ample time for it. Roll your clothes rather than fold them. Rolled clothes will take up less space while also preventing wrinkles.
Explore Organisational Tools
Using organisational tools to sort out various classes of items could go a long way in helping you stay organised while packing and throughout your trip. Think of packing cubes. A whole lot can go into different properly-labelled packing cubes. Also, they're available in a variety of sizes and colours, making it easy to find one suitable for each different class of item.
Zip-lock bags are also quite handy, especially for frail items and electronic accessories like adapters and power cords.
Ensure Everything is Properly Covered
Sealing your items in vacuum bags helps make your organisation more compact while also protecting your items from damage. Use vacuum bags wherever possible. Even more importantly, use them to seal items that could spill over, from food items to toiletries.
Consider Storing Valuables Left Behind in Self-Storage
If you're not 100% sure of the security of the items you'll be leaving behind, it could be a wise option to move them out to a secured self-storage facility. This can include anything from documents to collectables, seasonal items, and even your vehicles. You'll have greater peace of mind in knowing that your items will be in good hands throughout your trip. Speak with your local Storage King consultant who can advise on the best solution for you.