Stop Packing Stress!

Packing Dos and Don'ts

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I'm going on a great summer getaway in a few weeks and am already really starting to stress out about packing!! I always seem to over-pack and I never seem to bring the right things, which means I end up having to buy a lot while I'm on my vacation. Do you have any packing advice for me?

Sincerely,

Packing My Bags

A:

Dear Packing My Bags,

You're not alone; lots of people have trouble packing for trips. I have some advice that should have calm your nerves and make sure you bring everything you need (but not everything you own!).

Packing Dos and Don'ts:

1. Don't stuff your suitcase to the gills any more than you'd stuff your body into a dress that was two sizes too small. Something will give, and with a dress, it's the seams and you can run into the ladies room or throw on a trench coat. With your suitcase, it's the zipper that will give and your clothes will be all over the baggage claim area -- if you're lucky. If you're not, they'll be on the floor somewhere where you don't have access to them.

Do bring an extra bag rather than overstuff the one you have.

2. Don't bring everything but the kitchen sink. It's a waste of space and energy schlepping.

Do lay out your ready to be packed items and then do some hard core editing. Do you really need three pairs of black heels for a one week vacation? Must you take eight bathing suits? Does your hotel or your host family have a hair dryer there so you don't have to pack yours?

3. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. If your plane is delayed by an hour or a day, it will usually happen after you've checked your luggage and you'll be without whatever you need that is in there. And then there's always (cue the music: duh duh duh duh....) lost baggage.

Do keep an emergency pack with medication, an extra pair of contact lenses, and anything else you'll need in a pinch if your bags are lost. Face it, like adolescence, it's an unpleasant but necessary part of the journey sometimes.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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