6 Things to Leave at Home When Going Away for a Weekend

Weekend trips are so much fun! It’s such a great way to break up the monotony of the work week. No matter where you’re going, it can be hard to remember that you’re only going for a few days. Raise your hand if you’re a chronic over packer?! *me…it’s me* One thing I’ve had to learn over the years is that I don’t need ALL the options. That’s my biggest issue, I like to have an outfit for going out, staying in and being comfy, if it gets too hot, etc…It’s absolutely always too much. I’ve had to attempt to learn some ways to avoid over packing the car for a 3 day trip. My bf and I LOVE our long weekends away. Sometimes we just do it to take a break. We’d love to go international traveling any day of the week, but unfortunately it’s not in the cards right now for multiple reasons. Until then, we’ll pack up a bag and head off somewhere close for a long weekend when we’re allowed post COVID-19. These are things that I try (and sometimes fail) to leave at home because, it really is just a few days! 

Too many outfits

• How many days will you be away? Pack that many outfits. No more, no less. I tend to pack an extra sweatshirt, and a dress, and nice shoes if we decide to go out…. NO take a breath and calm your butt down. You don’t need 5 outfits to be away for 3 days. If you think you need 1 extra sweatshirt in case it gets cold then fine, but don’t overdo it with the options. Check the weather, plan out your outfits accordingly, and throw em in a bag. Grab shoes to fit the activities and minimize that too. You don’t need 4 pairs of shoes for 3 days. 1 pair is really all you need.

Computer or tablet

• You are taking a BREAK! Bring a book, leave that computer at home. You’re going on a mini vacay, not a productivity retreat. Enjoy your time mostly tech free. Bring your phone, don’t check it too much, or leave it in the room while you go enjoy your wine tasting or turn it off while camping, or put it in your bf’s pocket. This is a weekend away. Away from work, away from emails, and away from staring at a screen. Go enjoy yourself!

Makeup

• I’m not telling you to leave ALL of your makeup at home, but you need to minimize for a weekend getaway. Don’t take your whole make-up bag with you. Grab a smaller one that you can only fit the essentials into and call it a day. You’re not going to the French Riviera here, just on a quick trip into the mountains, down the shore, into wine country, camping, a yoga retreat (where you wouldn’t need any make-up)… you get my drift. Leave half of the cake at home, I bet most people like your face just fine without it anyway. This also includes hair products. You don’t need your hair dryer, and your flatiron, and your hairspray and your detangler and your mousse, and your pomade… So many hotels have hair dryers these days and who are you trying to impress? You’re away with your honey and I would hope they love what you look like without all the extras. (Not that the extras are bad at all, just that for a few days, minimizing is perfectly fine)

Keys

• If you won’t need them while you’re on your mini vacay, then leave them home. You wouldn’t want to lose your car key hours from home would you? Then when you do get home, you can’t actually use your car… or worse, your house keys. It’s just best to leave them home if you think it’s even remotely possible you could put them down somewhere, and there they’d stay. Another possibility is if someone swipes your purse. If you have your keys in there, they’re gone. Just leave em home.

Valuables

• Everyone has some jewelry or something that’s precious to them for one reason or another. Don’t bring those items with you on vacation! I would be so upset if I lost my Nana’s ring, especially if it’s hours or a flight away from home. Those things are irreplaceable. I understand the want to bring them with you everywhere, but it’s just not practical or safe to do so. A good alternative is to have a safe at home where you can keep these items, or lock them away in a room while you’re gone.

Last but not least, to include our lovable gamers, leave your gaming systems home. 

• I kid you not I’ve seen dudes try and bring their xbox with them on a weekend getaway. You’re going away to experience something new, relaxing, to literally get away. If part of your routine is to play after work, or when you’re stressed out, you’re not changing up your routine enough. Plus they come with cords and controllers and the old ones have cartridges and or discs… you’d need a whole bag just for your games. Go enjoy your friends or your partner and leave the gaming home. That’s not what you’re there to do… unless its a gaming getaway in which case ignore this one.

I hope this was helpful to all you other overpackers out there! Until next time Sea Babes <3

PS: Heading out on your next getaway? Click on the link for my Travel Planning Guide! https://amermaidscompass.com/product/travel-planning-guide/