How to avoid overpacking

[Overpacking4eva]

Evening! I tend to stress myself out with preparing for a holiday and I'm trying to work on that! Going on a two week holiday soon and one of the things I want to work on is overpacking (of clothes). Here are the specifics:

• Couple, no kids
• Two weeks (two different places), both with washing machines
• UK self catering
• Walking/visiting local sights type holiday

I have tried to do it logically before, one outfit per day. But realistically I will wear the same fleece more than once, but even one every two days is 14 fleeces between us. Or should I just wash stuff (but then there's the worry about if there will be a way to properly dry it!) I've been to a few places that had a washing machine but no clothes horse!?

I find it overwhelming when we get home. We have three or four crates of stuff which just goes straight back into the attic and that's made a massive difference and avoids packing the entire house, but I fall down on clothes!

I think the crates sound brilliant @Overpacking4eva

I used to take a chopping board and sharp knife and my frying pan on SC holidays – but I use them every day at home too. Great idea to have spares of things like mugs and oven gloves all stashed ready. As well as dishwasher tabs and all those bits.

I see with the camera – yes if using fancy lenses then it will be a big item. And the ents one is great too, I guess you can buy bits for that as you see them through the year but it’s not something you are going to need when not on holiday. Excellent plan!

I recently went on a 2 week hiking holiday in Scotland.
I took:
2 fleeces
2 pairs of walking trousers
1 pair of jeans for travel/non walking days
1 pair shorts
1 pair track suit type leggings for lounging in the evening
5 T shirts
1 pair PJ
Lots of socks
5 pairs pants
1 pair boots
1 pair trainers
1 pair sandals
swimming things

Did 2 washes whilst we were away, did need the 2 pairs of walking trousers as it was very wet.

Thank you! We have a chopping board and sharp knives in there too! Also tea spoons! The amount of times we have been somewhere and there are two random teaspoons! I do sometimes take my favourite frying pan too and I have considered getting another one for the kitchen crate 🤭

That's exactly it! It basically just stops having to pack the whole house up. Then when we get home it's just a case of popping them back in the attic again. Plus they stack beautifully 😂x

Agreed. If it comes home unused it's no trouble to just put it away.

I would have thought two fleeces probably enough, one warmer than the other but if you're in a car what's the problem?

For a UK holiday I will have some things that actually just live in the car - picnic blanket, kagoules , walking boots. Sometimes they won't be used.

Holidays abroad I don't overpack in that I will wear everything but I am not doing laundry or wearing the same outfit for 10 days just to avoid checking in luggage.

Thank you, this is helpful. I mostly hike in walking leggings or shorts but I do take a pair of trousers (zip off). I struggle with tops. I have three or four tops I really like (walking lifestyley ones) and then I have some traditional walking tops which are very practical but I think I look rubbish in them. So I usually end up taking all of everything I own just in case!

You're right I suppose, it will all fit in the car. It's just the getting home and having to put it all away that's a bit of a pain in the arse. I was trying to be more efficient, but perhaps I'm making it too complicated.

I used to pack shit loads and for me it took the shine off the holidays for me
One thing DH said to me was 'if you wear a slightly unclean top for a day and of walking - what happens?'

It actually helped me prioritize

I hike a lot. I own three fleeces.

Anyway for a two week active holiday

5 wicking tops
3 pairs walking trousers - mine zip off so I don’t take shorts
That gives you 15 outfits, btw, for ringing the changes for photos (I am, I must admit, rolling my eyes at this)
Two fleeces
Pair of trousers for the evening, and an additional top - smartish if you think you’ll go out, comfy if not
Nightclothes if you wear those
Walking boots
Walking sandals
Knickers, bras and socks
swimming costume
small towel
toiletries, insect repellant, sun tan lotion
minimal tech, chargers etc

I might chuck in a dress, depending on space/weight.

Weather dependant: overtrousers; jacket; gaiters; hat; gloves (probably not the last two at this time of year unless you are walking up Ben Nevis or the equivalent).

I pack pretty much the same stuff for a week in the UK and for a year backpacking round the world, and everything in between. .

Good way of thinking!

Thanks for your reply, it's helpful and practical.

I am not sure why having different outfits is eye-roll worthy but each to their own. I still want to look nice and have photos I can look back on, but maybe that's just me.

Same, plus a ready stocked bathroom bag which I keep up to date.

(And a fleece/coat and cardigan, depending on weather. Chargers and a kindle. Job done!

So I’m anal as therefore this may seem OTT 😁 but to avoid overpacking clothes I plan my outfits on paper (also can take a physical picture of items laid out on floor if your more visual) so I can make sure every bottom half or dress is work at least twice.

We have a new puppy this year and whilst we adore him it has obviously put a stop to flying off abroad for now so it’s uk holidays for us for a while. However although we’re doing lots of walking I still want to try and make a bit of an effort . Even if it’s just wearing the same days shorts out for tea but with a pretty cami top. And as I’ve only worn it a few hours I’ll wear it a few nights later then maybe to drive home in.

I tried this at Easter and ended up sneaking in more things because I wanted some cuter outfits for some places. I actually sometimes change my bottoms halfway through the day if I've been walking in the morning and then something more along the lines of visiting a small cute village. Obviously I am doing it for the photos, not for other people but for me to look at in the cold long winter!

I guess we are just a bit confused why you've asked for help? Change outfits three times a day if you want! It's your holiday, have fun x

Iove having a washing machine on holiday and coming home with nearly all clean clothes. It doesn't feel like a chore when it's the only real job you are doing on holiday. Washing using someone else's electricity, hopefully nice weather to hang out to dry. Very satisfying compared to lugging back cases of dirty clothes so first day back is all washing. Also, take less!

Because I find the process overwhelming and want to cut down. So although I do this ATM (and do have room) it stresses me out, so I wanted to hear what others do so I can work towards it. Hope that makes sense!

I am looking forward to this! Haven't had a washing machine for ages but made sure I found two places with one this time!!

It does!

If it helps - and feel free to ignore if it doesn't - at home I make sure I've always got a full load for a wash.

If it makes things easier and helps you pack less do lighter washes? That way you can wash the boring things for the mornings more frequently if you need to?

I'm v jealous btw. We have two children and obviously we adore them but DH and I loved our walking holidays and I miss them!

That's a great point. I was envisaging big loads but I could definitely do little and often! Then I wouldn't be worrying about the logistics of drying a big load too, thank you for the tip!

My auntie and uncle have recently retired and my last cousin has flown the nest. They got a camper and now spend most of their time either exploring in that or having last minute getaways in beautiful places. So basically what I'm saying is you'll be able to enjoy them again soon enough (not that I think you're near retirement of course, but their adventures keep me going when I've been stuck at my desk for too long!)🤞🏼x

Me too, I never bother unpacking my toiletries, lol