About two months ago on a trip, I heard someone say, \u201cI can\u2019t grasp packing light.\u201d It\u2019s true, some people have difficulty packing light. But for me, packing light tends to be my MO. Even on long trips, but especially on short ones I can\u2019t think of much that I need to bring. Recently I went on a weekend trip where I didn\u2019t even pack in my suitcase\u2014I packed into one of my cotton shopping bags. When I came in, the guestmaster didn\u2019t immediately realize I was staying there because of how little I had packed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On my trips, I\neither pack in this bag (which I have used for a long time and has served me\nwell) or in my suitcase, a fairly small suitcase but I love it. My suitcase\nfits FAA regulations, which means that it is small enough that I can take it on\na plane without needing to check it (but it\u2019s large enough that it sometimes\ndoesn\u2019t fit into the overhead bins on the plane, so then I would need to \u201ccheck\nit at the gate\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whenever you\u2019re\nabout to leave on a trip, one of the first things on your mind will be \u201cwhat to\npack.\u201d This can sometimes make you feel anxious, because you don\u2019t want to forget\nanything important. What I have included here is a basic packing list that\ncovers most of the types of things I bring with me on short trips. This can get\nyou started, and then you can add things that aren\u2019t on this list as you\u2019re thinking\nabout it. Creating a list or inventory of your items can be good for ensuring\nyou have packed everything, and then you can refer to the list as your trip is\nending to not leave anything behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This list includes things I either pack in my luggage or carry on my person. I curated this list from the items I brought on my weekend trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Packing List<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The primary items I use for autism-related coping are: my earbuds to pipe in music or ambient noise from my phone, and stimming toys. I don\u2019t use noise-cancelling headphones, as my earbuds work better for me. If you use noise-cancelling headphones, you probably know to take them on your trip. Sometimes I have also used scented lotions or body scrubs when I want to smell something good, but I haven\u2019t regularly carried that around in a while. Also consider if you need to bring dietary supplements, snacks, or additional food if you have dietary limitations due to autism (I don’t, so I don’t have that on my own packing list).<\/p>\n\n\n\n One packing tip to remember: consider how much you might acquire on your trip and bring back with you! When I went to Switzerland for three weeks, I packed light, and at the time I had an even smaller suitcase than I do now. I wasn\u2019t prepared for just how much stuff I brought back. There was no way it would fit in my suitcase, and the only reason I didn\u2019t need to leave most of it behind was because one of the gifts to me was a carrying bag, and I simply used that to carry all the papers and trinkets I got. Still, it was a pain to lug around when I went to the UK afterward, and that might also be another topic on deciding what you really want as souvenirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also note that packing light is made\neasier when you fold clothes the right way. If you throw clothes into suitcase\nlike you would on the floor, they\u2019ll take up more space. Folding clothes neatly\nand tightly keeps it organized and takes up less space.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" About two months ago on a trip, I heard someone say, \u201cI can\u2019t grasp packing light.\u201d It\u2019s true, some people have difficulty packing light. But for me, packing light tends to be my MO. Even on long trips, but especially on short ones I can\u2019t think of much that I need to bring. Recently I … Continue reading Packing\/Packing Light<\/span>