it’s a week before a big trip. I have my seat on the plane, my accommodations are booked, and my plans are all set. But I’m tossing and turning in bed.  Lists keep running through my head along with improbable scenarios in which I am woefully unarmed.  What is this travel-neurosis that I can never seem to shake? Packing anxiety. How can we cope? Making a list of absolute necessities is always a first.

Medications: Double, triple, quadruple check that you have any and all medication you require daily. Do you suffer from allergies? Don’t forget your EpiPen and/or choice of medication. Also if you’re going to certain countries you may have received some vaccinations, and in most cases, the doctor provides a little yellow book of your travel vaccines. Take this book along so that medical providers will know what you’ve been vaccinated for in case anything should happen.  I keep this yellow book along with my passport (securely). Lastly, always make sure to pack at least a few bowel-saving medications given that your diet may be thrown for a loop.

Important Documents: Do you need a visa for the country you will be visiting? Is your passport still valid? Check to make sure you have any and all important documents well in advance of your trip, and then don’t forget to bring them along on the big day (you won’t get too far without them!). In case of loss or theft, make color copies of your passport and tuck them in a safe place. I always keep a copy in my money belt & another in my suitcase. For another back-up, take a picture of the document with your smartphone. Apply for a comprehensive travel insurance which covers  personal emergency health costs, cancellations/delays and the loss of personal items. Bring along the travel policy number & the emergency contact of the insurer. Also, don’t forget to register your travel plans with your home embassy and have the numbers to the local consulars in case any incidents occur. I always register with https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/ereg/Registration.jsp in Singapore.

Site-Specific Accessories: If you are traveling with electronic devices outside of your home country, chances are you will need an adapter to plug in while abroad. Do a quick internet search for adapters for your country of travel and then either order online, or find it at your local electronics store. You may also need to purchase and pack a special carrier for documents and money if you are traveling to an area where pick-pocketing occurs. This includes slash/proof bags, waist pouches, or money belts.  If you are traveling to certain countries, you may want to bring your own toilet paper & a “sarong”. (Do a little online research on the topic and it won’t take too long to figure out if this is necessary for your travel destination.) An online search into the specifics of traveling within your given country will be helpful in providing more specific accessories to pack.

Clothing: This is another site-specific topic, however I believe one should always dress on the side of caution. Layers are the wisest way to go. Make sure to have one or two outfits for the warmest possible scenario and at least one option for the coldest. Try to pick clothing for matchability (so that you can layer), comfort, and density (you DO want a warm pullover, you DON’T want it to take up your whole suitcase). Shoes are what I really agonize over when packing. I’ve found that it is good to have two pairs of shoes that you can do a lot of walking in. This way, you can have more options to match to your outfit, and if any blisters do occur, you can have a fresh pair of shoes which hopefully won’t rub the same spots.

This list will get you pretty far, but you should always keep in mind your individual needs and the needs specific to your country of destination. Once you do a good job packing your bag, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy!

PACKING LIST