Between visiting friends for the weekend, popping home, or refusing to spend any more than necessary on a bargain Ryanair flight, my carry-on bag has been very well used.
...a five-step skincare routine may have to be sacrificed for the sake of space.
Obviously, the number one item on my packing list is small versions of all my toiletries. With a tight student budget, I find it far more cost-effective to grab a few reusable travel containers from Boots instead of spending on pre-packed 100ml bottles. Make sure to be selective when picking what to take — it pains me to say, but a five-step skincare routine may have to be sacrificed for the sake of space.
In my opinion, the biggest trick to packing light is having easy mix-and-match outfit plans. If you’re trying to fit four tops and four bottoms into a bag for a four-day trip, you’ll run out of room pretty quickly. Depending on the weather, I pick out a couple of tops, a pair of shorts or jeans, and a skirt that will all match each other. For shoes: a comfortable pair for travelling and exploring, and a nicer pair of sandals for getting dressed up.
The same plan works with handbags. I am a proud Uniqlo shoulder bag lover, and while it may not be the prettiest for a fancy night out, it squashes down easily and fits half my life inside, making it the perfect city bag.
...the magic of a packing cube makes up for the lost space by squeezing your clothes as tightly as physically possible.
For me, no holiday is complete without a good book and my digital camera. Unfortunately, these are not things that can be condensed any smaller… However, the magic of a packing cube makes up for the lost space by squeezing your clothes as tightly as physically possible. If you have a few extra pounds to spend before your next trip, head into town and pick up a set.
It’s important to use absolutely all the space you can with the biggest bag possible. A trip to one of the many outdoor shops in Newcastle city centre will provide plenty of options for perfectly sized 40x30x20cm bags, which is the standard airline carry-on size. To avoid spending any extra money, though, the biggest backpack you already own will usually fit in perfectly.
So, next time you’re packing light, make sure to be selective; you’ll thank yourself while trying to squeeze in that last souvenir on your way home!