The final consideration when traveling is what you'll be doing while you're at your destination.
Why are you traveling?
Is it for work?
Is it leisure?
Will you be active or inactive?
Will you be active on social or are you going off the grid?
What will you be doing?
Are you going to be exploring?
Excited to do absolutely nothing except sit on a beach?
All these things should be considered as you plan your packing because it will dictate how minimalistic you can go.
Packing for Work Travel
Traveling for work often creates the need for a little more packing.
Will you be going into an office each day?
Will you be going out for dinners that will require nicer clothes?
Will you be sight-seeing or doing any recreational activities during your time in a different place?
Do you need to take a computer or other electronics?
Packing for Leisure Travel
Traveling for fun and relaxation is usually the best time to scale down the packing!
Actively Exploring or Inactive Relaxation
Will you need specific clothes for the type of exploring you'll be doing?
Will you be sitting on a beach or pool-side all day?
If you're going to be at a beach or pool most of the time you could almost get away with just a backpack! :) Okay, maybe not, but if you are not going to be active, you are going to be in the best position to pack the lightest.
Social or No
A lot of your packing plans will hinge on if you plan to take a lot of photos of yourself and your family or if you plan to go off grid and keep those photos to yourself.
Connected
If you're staying connected, consider the following:
Will you need multiple outfits for various photos?
Do you need extra hair and makeup supplies?
Will you need to take additional electronics?
Disconnected
If you're breaking away from it all (which I highly recommend) consider the following:
Can you scale down on the number of outfits you bring?
Can you ditch the hair and makeup supplies and just be free?
Do you even need to bring your phone? (Sort of kidding, most people need this for flights and travel details, so maybe don't ditch the phone)
There is a bit to think about when you're packing and packing light is an art, but it's completely and utterly possible! Keep these things in mind as you start to scale down your packing lists and become a packing pro. Don't forget to check out the first two parts to this post! Packing Light Part 1 and Packing Light Part 2
Put your pro packing skills to work!
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