Seasoned Travelers Always Have These 5 Things Ready To go

Be heading out the door in minutes without leaving the necessities behind!

As both a business traveler and one who is on the go as much as I can for fun, there are certain necessities that I’ve found beneficial to have already packed and ready to throw in a suitcase or weekend bag. Some of these items are duplicates from normal home supply, but knowing that you’ll be covered with the essentials that you’ll need wherever you go is one less thing to worry about when you’re heading out the door.

Self-Care and Hygiene.

I always keep a small pouch containing a travel toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss, nail file and clippers, a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, a small container of petroleum jelly, tweezers. For a quick facial refresh after a flight, I also have facial moisturizer, eyeliner, a powder compact, a lipstick that can also double as a bit of cheeky color, and a small spray bottle of rose water. All of this I can fit into a small zippered pouch that I transfer easily from purse to backpack to suitcase. To add some zen, dab several drops of tea tree or patchouli oil onto a cotton ball and tuck this in. Not only will it smell refreshing, but might also induce a couple of slow deep breaths on occasion.

Electronics!

We’ve all been caught empty-handed when it comes to charger cords at one point or another. A frustrating feeling for certain. Before I walk out the door, I always double-check that I have my 'cord bag'. For longer travels, I like the multi-charger cords that have 3 or 4 different adaptors that cover my phone, tablet, wireless earbuds, wireless mouse, etc. I also like to keep one single cord for a simple and quick charge on a plane, for example. A wall plug with double USB ports is my preference so at a hotel I can use the second port for charging my smart-watch at night. In addition to charging, I've found that having a thumb drive is useful if it’s an extended trip. I can also include my portable hard drive to either store new data, or access other files that I’ve stored. These things can all be neatly stored in a pencil case that again is easily transferrable from bag to bag as your need demands.

Shoes.

Only you know your feet and their threshold for going the distance. When preparing for a trip, I quickly think through what walking will most likely be happening. While we don’t want duplicates of all of our shoes, I’ve found it extremely valuable to invest in a couple pairs of sandals (these can be flip flops, more athletic sandals, or more dressy ones) and also casual loafers or tennis shoes that can be worn in a wide variety of settings and also be comfortable and supportive enough to help you through a potentially long day or a long walk. Almost nothing is more miserable than your dogs barking when you’re a long way from rest. Don’t underestimate the importance of this and be always aware of what will work and what won’t, so you don’t have to spend time fretting when you want to be on your way. On a side note, a small zippered bag of foot rescue items such as blister band-aids and moleskin has also been a lifesaver when shoes haven’t been so friendly.

Travel-and-budget-friendly snacks.

After you’ve paid way too much for that quick energy bar in a convenient store or an airport, you will remember when passing them in your local grocery store how much cheaper it is to buy in advance. Having a couple energy bars, a small bag of almonds or pistachios, dark chocolate, and some breath mints with you in the car or a plane is something I consider to be self-care when traveling. This also helps eliminate candy bar regret. Also, consider throwing in a couple of tea bags for late-night comfort.

Water bottle.

I know this seems like old news. Some of us have more than a couple of water bottles: one for the gym, one for travel, one we may use on a daily basis around the house. Having a solid option for travel is a must. I prefer the type with a wide mouth that cleans easily but also can be managed nicely in a backpack, travel bag, or purse. I also prefer metal to plastic for the reason that it is sturdier, should your bag be pushed into a tight place under a seat or trunk.