As a mama of a one year old and packing for trips now is not an easy task nor can you pack the night before, at least I can’t and stay sane! As I am in the early stages of packing for our family trip in a couple of weeks I thought I’d share my strategy and tips with you all, hoping if it even helps one of you!
Here are 10 tips I’ve found that really have helped me speed up the process as well as make it less stressful! I am a very organized person and when it’s out of order I’m just not very flexible nor do I accomplish a lot. When things are out of order it takes me a few minutes to take mental control and figure out where to start! So being organized helps me accomplish a lot in a short amount of time!
As a photographer it’s important to leave space for the MUST take camera and gear! I like to pack lightly with that as well, unless I’m going to work!
1- Make a List
(with a cup of coffee in hand never hurt anything!)
I begin making a list of what I need to take and pack with me a few weeks ahead of time. So my brain has time to process and think through what we will need while traveling as well as where we will be going/staying.
2- Check it Twice
I am not trying to make this list the day before, that is way too stressful and bound to forget something and have to make an emergency trip to Walmart either the night before the trip or the first day of vacation!! Go through each scenario of your daily routine with your little ones and what you will need to keep that routine and schedule. Make sure it’s all written down!
3- Make your purchases ahead of time.
If you need travel size juice or extra food/snacks purchase those a week or so ahead of time so again you aren’t cramming and being stressed out the day before your trip/vacation!
4- Lay out all of your needed items for the travel of your trip
I start making stacks a day or two before I need to pack. I separate what we will NEED while traveling and that which I will need to get my hands on at any second during the traveling. I am not worried about the things we will use while on our vacation those can be stuffed way in the back of the car out of reach, it’s the MUST haves I want to be easily accessible at any given time!
5- Lay out all of your items for the trip that aren’t needed for traveling
Now in my second stack I am laying out our clothes, extra diapers, snacks or whatever it maybe. Now I can easily pack and organize as I go!
one of our favorite treats to do on vacation because, well we NEVER get doughnuts at home!
6- Roll all of your clothes.
You’ve probably heard it before but it’s true. You can get SO much more in a bag when you roll your clothes. Stuff socks or undies in tennis shoes and if that creeps you out stick them in a sandwich baggie, but that is dead space that you’d be surprised what you can fit in there!
7- Choose what luggage you are taking.
If you are flying there are restrictions, if you are flying with carry ons etc. Choose wisely what best fits your traveling needs.
8- Pack your items for tip #5 first.
I start with packing the things that aren’t needed to be accessible immediately. I get those put way back in a bag and out of the way.
9- Pack your items for tip #4
Now I’m packing what is needed for the trip and leaving space for those last minute items!
10- Leave space
Leave a little space in your bags for those last minute items you will be using RIGHT up until the point you leave, yet you will need someplace to “stuff” them!
PS this is just a fun photo from one of our trips…trying to take a cool picture…trying that is!
What extra tips can you give me to help my sanity?!?! Comment below and let me know!
Also see 10 Quick Photography Tips for Better Vacation Pictures
Hi I’m Erin a Southern mama from South Mississippi, owner and chief editor of Sixth Bloom a blog helping mom-tographers as well as up and coming photographers become successful! You will find me living life to the fullest with my mister (aka husband) and our new little addition Miss Elle in our 500+ sq foot cottage as we build our dream house on our two acres! We are blessed beyond measure, love to travel, involved in ministry at our church and in between all of that I run three successful businesses!
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