Twenty years ago, I promised myself I’d never travel in December again, but here we are, planning another December trip! If I’m honest, it’s not the actual trip that gets to me — it’s the packing! There’s always that rush of “What if I forget something?” or “What if I don’t have enough room?” Over the years, though, I’ve picked up some strategies that make packing way less stressful. Here’s what I’ve learned to help the worry melt away:

1. Make a List and Keep It Handy

I start my packing list at least a week before we leave. I leave it on the kitchen counter so I can jot down anything that comes to mind — essentials, snacks, even those easy-to-forget items. It keeps me organized and saves me from those last-minute “Did I pack my chargers?” moments.

2. Essentials Over Extras (But Clothes Are My Weakness!)

I’ll admit: I’m guilty of overpacking clothes. To keep it realistic, I try to focus on what I use daily and stick to basics. This trip, we’re tight on space with a smaller vehicle, so it’s all about keeping it simple. If you’re like me, giving yourself a limit can help keep that suitcase light.

3. Road Trip Snacks and Grocery Stop Adventures

For road trips, I like to pack snack packs for each day. It keeps everyone happy and saves us from endless snack stops. And because the U.S. always has different gluten-free options, we make a little adventure out of grocery shopping when we get there. The kids love it, and it’s a fun, easy way to settle into vacation mode.

4. Unpack at Your Destination

It might sound funny, but I don’t feel settled if I’m living out of a suitcase, even if it’s just for a hockey tournament or a cheer competition. Unpacking and giving everything its place in the hotel room feels grounding, like setting up a home base. The kids are into it, too — they’ve picked up the habit and now look forward to unpacking when we arrive.

5. Forget Something? Release the Stress and Enjoy

I used to worry about forgetting things, especially those little items like sunglasses. But now, I let go of that stress. If I do forget something, I’ll treat myself to a replacement (and let’s be real, finding new sunglasses isn’t so bad!). It’s a small way to embrace the “go with the flow” vacation vibe I’m always trying to find. Is It the Tips… or Is It Just Me?

Looking back, I wonder: is it these packing strategies that make travel less stressful, or is it just that I’m living with less stress overall? I’ve let go of so many things — the opinions of others, the expectations I thought others were placing on me, and even those impossible standards I used to hold myself to. Let’s be honest: most people weren’t actually expecting me to be perfect; that was my own interpretation, my own idea of what they might have thought.

Maybe the real trick to packing, and to travel itself, is letting go of the unnecessary weight of perfection. After all, if I forget something, I can just find a new one. And that’s a lot lighter to carry than the stress of trying to “get it all right.” Here’s to embracing the freedom that comes with going a little easier on ourselves — in travel and in life.

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