Master organiser, pro packer and internet appointed therapist Marie Kondo is going to change the way you pack forever.
You may be familiar with her Netflix series, Tidying up with Marie Kondo, or her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, which have taken the world by storm. Not only has she single-handedly popularised the world’s most boring topic, tidying, but she’s made it genuinely enjoyable.
If you’ve binged her oddly hypnotic series and have already transformed your own home, you’ll be excited to know that you can carry her wisdom out into the world with you – in your suitcase specifically.
Read more: Avoid these four Kondo cleaning mistakes
At some point or another we’ve all underestimated just how long it takes to pack our suitcase. We end up tossing things in willy-nilly, increasing the chance that we’ll forget something important or overpack. And let’s be honest, there is no chance that you’re going to sit down and reorganise it all once you’ve out in the open world.
Luckily, Ms Kondo is here to the rescue.
Travel and Leisure asked Ms Kondo her advice on bringing only essentials on extended trips.
“If you tend to overpack things that you believe you ‘might’ use, try travelling once with only the most essential items. The more experience you gain travelling with fewer items, the better you’ll be at identifying what you truly need, and you will no longer stuff your suitcase with things that you don’t,” said Ms Kondo.
Read more: Five ways to declutter your suitcase
If you’ve ever wondered what a minimalist master organiser packs in her carry on, it’s your lucky day. “A few of my travel essentials include moisturising hand cream to keep my skin hydrated during the flight, a washable silk sleep mask to block out the light and stay rested, a merino wool laptop sleeve to keep my computer protected in my carry-on, and reusable food containers, like a classic bento box or sturdy ceramic bowl, for packing healthy in-flight snacks,” said Ms Kondo.
When it comes to your suitcase, the packing pro told Travel and Leisure, “For those who travel often, I recommend keeping a separate toiletry [case]. This saves time that would otherwise be spent unpacking and repacking everyday use items. I also recommend packing clothes using the KonMari method, folding articles neatly and standing them upright inside your suitcase. By doing this, you’ll be able to make room for new items that you may buy during your trip. Finally, it’s important to pack with a positive mindset. For instance, if you are packing for a vacation, you may want to envision your destination and use packing as a way to build anticipation for your holiday. Similarly, if you are packing for a business trip, imagine the great work that you will accomplish on your trip.”
Read more: Money-saving tip minimalists swear by
Are you a Marie Kondo fan? Are you guilty of overpacking? What do you always make sure to pack in your carry on?
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