Before we’d even reached the airport, my friend was worried about her luggage. We were getting ready to come home from our trip to the US, her suitcase was full and very heavy, and she had three carry-on bags instead of two.
We’d both watched those funny reels where someone opens their suitcase at check-in and starts putting on clothes. First a jumper, then a jacket, then whatever else they can get on to bring the weight down. It’s funny when you’re watching it on your phone. It’s a little less funny when you’re wondering whether that might soon be you.
When my friend said she might have to open her suitcase and put on a few extra layers, I asked, “Would you mind if I filmed that?”
Perhaps not my most helpful contribution, but thankfully she laughed and said yes.
As it turned out, everything was fine at the airport. The suitcase stayed closed, and she didn’t have to put on a single extra layer. But she said she didn’t want that stress again.
We talked about doing a suitcase debrief when she unpacked. Before everything went back into cupboards and drawers, she could see what she’d actually worn and used, what had stayed in the suitcase and what she’d do differently next time. If you’ve ever come home wondering why you packed half the things you did, it’s worth trying this yourself.
Before you put everything away
After a holiday, it’s tempting to get the washing done, put the suitcase away and move on. But unpacking is a good time to notice what worked while the trip is still fresh in your mind. You remember which clothes were comfortable, what you kept reaching for and what spent the entire holiday at the bottom of your bag.
Here are five questions you can ask yourself as you unpack.
1. What did I wear and use most?
Think about the things you were pleased you’d brought. Maybe you had a pair of trousers that went with almost everything, or a light layer you could throw in your bag whenever you went out. What made those things work so well? That’s worth remembering next time you pack.
2. What didn’t I use, and why?
Maybe you packed for an activity that never happened, or brought a few options and kept reaching for the same favourite. Some things, like medication or a raincoat, are worth bringing even if you never need them.
When I did my own suitcase debrief, I noticed I’d barely worn the white T-shirt I’d packed. Every time I went to put it on, I thought about how likely I was to slop food on it. (I do that often.) So I’d reach for something else. Next time, I’ll take a T-shirt I’m happy to wear out to lunch.
The white T-shirt making a rare appearance in Central Park.
3. What did I wish I’d brought?
Maybe you wished you’d packed an extra layer, a smaller day bag or another pair of comfortable socks. Make a note of what you missed and when you would have used it. That’ll help you decide whether to add it to your packing list or whether it was something you only needed on this particular trip.
4. What came home that wasn’t there when I left?
I’d left plenty of room in my suitcase in case I bought anything while I was away. As it turned out, I didn’t buy much, but I did bring home a Chicago Marathon windcheater.
I already had a similar one in my wardrobe, so I used my one-in, one-out rule. The Chicago windcheater went in and the older one went out.
If you like bringing things home from a trip, it’s worth thinking about where they’ll go, both in your suitcase and once you get home.
5. What would I do differently next time?
You might take fewer shoes, choose clothes that go together more easily or leave a bit more room for things you buy along the way. Pick one or two changes and put them in your phone or on your packing list. By the next trip, it’s surprisingly easy to forget what you were sure you’d remember.
What this can teach us at home
I encourage this kind of reflection when I’m helping someone declutter, too. We can learn a lot by paying attention to what we reach for and why. Maybe there’s a bag you choose most days because it’s comfortable to carry, or a jacket you keep passing over because it never feels quite right.
If a top stayed folded in your suitcase for the whole trip, you might ask yourself, “Do I wear this much at home, either?” Sometimes the answer is yes. Other times, you realise you keep packing it out of habit, and it’s been a while since you chose to wear it anywhere.
My friend’s luggage turned out to be fine, but she’d already decided she wanted to do things differently next time. If you’ve just come home from a trip, give yourself a few minutes as you unpack to notice what worked and jot down one thing you’d change. It could make your next trip a little lighter, in more ways than one.
Heading away over the holidays?
If you’ve got a holiday coming up, now’s a good time to think about what you’ll take. I find it much easier to make those decisions before I’m trying to zip up my suitcase the night before I leave.
In my $27 mini-course, The Art of a Light and Organised Suitcase, I walk you through how I decide what to bring, choose clothes that work together and organise my suitcase so I can find what I need while I’m away.
Explore The Art of a Light and Organised Suitcase