my packing list!

I am here today to share my genuine LOVE for packing. I know... Everyone's favorite part about travel right? I am actually not being sarcastic! I do really enjoy packing and all the prep that comes before leaving for a trip. (I could probably blame my Virgo mars on that one...)

Whether you love packing or despise it, you have to do it. It doesn't have to be miserable though!

Now as you could expect, I am not a last minute packer. In fact, I start "packing" sometimes more than a week in advance. I think it is my way of feeling in control over all the variables that come with travel. I just like to feel very prepared ahead of any trip. Plus, I can be SO forgetful (thank you, ADHD) and I find having a packing list and packing in advance just makes things easier for me.

I hope this packing list makes things easier for YOU. Everyone requires different things to meet their needs while traveling, these are mine. I find myself somewhere between minimalism and more high maintenance. Don't get me wrong, I want to look cute, but we can look cute AND pack it all in a carry-on :) For proof, here is a picture of me looking cute with my two backpacks!

CLOTHING

Okay! Let's start with clothing since it takes up the most space in our luggage. This is a category that is definitely going to depend on SO many factors. What kind of person are you? Are you more low maintenance or are you higher maintenance? What activities will you be doing? What is the weather going to be like? How long will you be traveling? What size bag are you taking?

I personally don't view high maintenance as a bad characteristic, by the way! It is just a characteristic that changes the way you might pack. Again, I find myself somewhere in the middle.

I am not going to write too much about this section of packing, simply because everyone is so different. I personally like to have plenty of clothing options. I don't want one of each article of clothing just to make my backpack lighter. I don't care! I do, however, never check a bag. As many options I can have in my carry-on, that is what I do.

With that said, the clothes I pack while traveling follow the "capsule" wardrobe rules. Most everything I pack is a neutral that can be paired with anything else that I packed. I don't like to pack statement pieces that can only be worn once, just for a great Instagram picture.

Don't get me wrong though, I WILL be getting a good Instagram picture! It will just be in the neutral outfit that I can mix and match ;)

My favorite neutral pieces that I take on almost every trip:

- black leggings

- black flowy pants

- black maxi skirt

- jeans (depending on location)

- neutral colored tanks/turtlenecks/t-shirts

- something that is warm and cute (cute jacket)

- something that is just warm and not that cute because iykyk (bulky warm winter jacket)

For all my clothes, I use packing cubes as well.

Okay, let's talk shoes as well! I like packing 2-3 pairs of shoes, and this also depends where you are going and what the weather is like. I love my pair of Hokas, they are the great travel shoes, in my opinion. They are so comfortable. I like having a white pair because I feel like they can be paired with most outfits and do not look TOO athletic. Blundstones are also incredible travel shoes. They are so versatile, can be dressed up and down, and I have even hiked in them when I do not pack hiking boots. I also love wearing a pair of Chacos in warmer environments. AND DON'T FORGET SHOWER SHOES! I just bring a cheap pair of flipflops from Walmart.

Toiletries

Another category that is quite specific to the person! I am starting to question what is the point of a packing list, when everyone requires different things. I am still going to tell you what I pack and what I believe to be, MUST HAVES.

In this category, I am surely high maintenance compared to lots of people who might be backpacking. I love doing my makeup, and that does not change because I am in a different zip code. In fact, my toiletry bag takes up half of my personal item and I have zero regret.

My version of scaling down my makeup collection includes a duo contour/highlight stick, liquid blush, powdered bronzer, pressed setting powder, mascara, eyelash curler, pencil eyeliner, freckle pen, and a plumping lip-gloss. This time I am getting fancy and packing an old Kylie cosmetics eyeshadow palette. For someone who used to wake up at 5am and wear fake lashes to high school, this an impressive downside.

Among makeup items, things such as deodorant, hair products, and other sanitary essentials have a place in my toiletry bag. Pack your toothbrush and toothpaste, of course.

Now, I have tried to get behind shampoo and conditioner bars... I have tried a few kinds and my hair just always feels kind of gross after. Typically, I will use this shampoo bar I got from Lush, it is pretty decent, and then buy a full size bottle of conditioner. My hair is just too thick to not give it the proper moisture it deserves.

I have a few things in my toiletry bag that I think everyone should consider bringing, even if you aren't a Backpacking Barbie. These are things that I find somewhat random, but are so necessary to me. The first being... Poo Pouri!! If you are staying in hostels, this is a must. I have stayed in dorm rooms where the bathroom is connected to the main room. No one wants to be the one to stink up the entire room where everyone sleeps... Having to sacrifice a peaceful morning sh*t in the name of budget travel, but I don't have to sacrifice my dignity. I avoid that walk of shame by spraying my lavender poo pouri ;) (no this is not sponsored, but maybe one day!)

Sticking to the stinky theme, a fabric refresh spray is a must! This allows me to extend the times between laundry, because I hate doing laundry while I am traveling. It is an odor eliminator, so it does not overpower you with scent like a perfume could. Speaking of perfume though, I buy a new spray for every trip because I love associating scents with memories.

My last random toiletry bag essential are laundry detergent sheets! These are genius and take up zero space. Who wants to carry around tide pods or a bottle of laundry detergent? They are perfect for doing laundry at your hostel or washing your underwear in the sink. That is just my reality of a budget backpacker.

Electronics

In terms of electronics, I bring my phone, my laptop, and usually my iPad as well. This is probably overkill for most people, and I would not bring my laptop unless I had to. As I am starting to put more effort into this blog and my Youtube channel, I feel like it is necessary to have my laptop with me. I need to get a MacBook though, because my computer is old and slow, hence why I also bring my iPad with me. I digress!! Bring what you need in term of personal electronics ;)

As a solo traveling girlie who loves getting insta worthy shots, a tripod is an absolute must. I love taking pictures on my tripod because I know my angles the best and I am often too shy to ask a stranger to take a picture for me. The times I have asked a stranger to do it for me, the pictures were awful so BRING A TRIPOD. My best tip for photos is to wake up early to avoid crowds. I feel so awkward taking out my tripod in front of a ton of people, and I also fear someone will run by and steal it... so I wake up early if I really want a picture in front of something that is typically really crowded.

Along those lines, my camera is a NECESSITY. I love taking photos and while my phone does a fine job, I really enjoy having my camera to take pictures of a higher quality.

I always pack a little bag that is everything I need for my technology. It is mainly a bag for all my chargers, my headphones, and stuff like that. Again, I feel like this is dependent on the person.

No matter who you are though, you will likely need a converter for your chargers so make sure to pack one of those! I got mine off of Amazon that is a universal charger so you can use it on multiple continents.

Neurodivergent Accommodations

Like I have mentioned a few times in this post, what you pack can be super specific to who you are as a person. I am autistic and I have ADHD, there are a few things that I make sure to bring to make my experience with travel more manageable. Even within the autistic community, we are all on a spectrum with differing levels of support needs. What works for me wont necessarily work for every autistic person.

For starters, I need my noise reducing earplugs! These are a must. I prefer Loop earplugs, I do have a code for 15 % off. It is LOOPXJORDAN. I don't make any commission off of this. I have the Quiets and the Experience Pros. I use the Quiets in situations that require no talking and are more overstimulating for me. This includes train stations, airports, and areas such as those. I use the Experience Pros when I am around people and will likely be talking to someone. They allow for more noise to get in, but still turn down the volume to a more manageable level.

Fidget toys. When you are traveling, you often are short on space and that means you cannot pack all your fidget toys. I admittedly am not a huge fidget toy person. Not because I don't love them, I just choose to spend my money on other things. As long as I have my trusty magnetic fidget, I am good to go. I keep this handy for overstimulating places that might require a fidget. I also love wearing rings for this exact reason. I use them to stim constantly, and they are more discrete.

Comfort items. Now these cannot be huge things that take up a ton of space. At least if you are like me, you might only have a carry-on and a personal bag. My comfort/safe items include a few things. I bring a couple crystals and two little animal figures, a giraffe and a cardinal. These are just items that I can hold when I am anxious to help me move through those emotions. It can be nice to just have an item or two that bring you comfort when you are far away from home.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Well, this is my packing list! I hope it helps you and maybe even inspires you to love the process of packing. It is not all bad! It is that last sense of normalcy before taking off on a wonderful adventure to make lots of new memories. If you take any advice from me, please let me know! I wish you the best in your packing journey and remember to do one thing a day that charges your soul :)

With love,

Jordan Leo