Weekend Packing, Made Simple
How to Use the Minimal Weekend Packing List
(and why it makes travel feel lighter before you even leave)
Packing doesn’t have to feel like a mental marathon.
The goal of my Minimal Weekend Packing List isn’t perfection—it’s ease. It’s about getting everything you need out of your head and onto paper so you can pack calmly, trust the process, and actually enjoy the days leading up to your trip.
Start by printing it (if you can)
If you have access to a printer, I truly recommend printing this list.
Packing is one of those moments where it’s very easy to get sucked into a list on your phone or computer—texts, notifications, one quick scroll that turns into twenty minutes. A printed list keeps you grounded and focused.
If you want to make it even easier:
Laminate the list or slide it into a plastic sheet protector
Use a dry erase pen to check items off
Or print a fresh copy for each trip
It’s a small amount of paper for a lot of peace of mind.
Use the list as a “brain dump” before packing day
As soon as you know you have a trip coming up, start using the list—even if you’re not packing yet.
Write down specific items as they come to mind so you don’t have to hold onto them mentally. For example:
Shoes your mom left at your house last visit
Christmas gifts you need to bring to family for a holiday visit
Something you borrowed and need to return
Once it’s written down, you can let it go. Your brain doesn’t need to keep reminding you.
This is where lists really shine: they take too many moving parts out of your head so you can work through things one by one and trust that nothing will be forgotten once everything is checked off.
Refine the list over time
Pay attention to patterns.
If you notice there’s something you always need, add it to your template so it’s already there next time. If you notice something keeps coming home unused, remove it.
The list should evolve with you. The more honest you are about what you actually use, the lighter packing becomes.
Create a simple “go-bag”
One of the easiest ways to minimize packing is to reduce decisions altogether.
Consider gathering the toiletries you always bring and keeping them in a small travel pouch that’s ready to go. I’m generally not a big fan of duplicates—but this is one place where they can make sense.
A travel toothbrush and toothpaste, for example, can be worth it if it means one less thing to pack and unpack—especially if you travel often (or want to).
Be realistic about “aspirational packing”
It’s very easy to overpack for the version of yourself you hope you’ll be on a trip.
For me, it’s vitamins. I struggle to take them consistently at home, yet I always think a weekend away is when I’ll suddenly become diligent. It almost never happens.
A trip is unlikely to be the moment you nail every habit you wish you had—and that’s okay.
Enjoy the trip. Lighten your bag. Let routines be something you work on at home, where they’re easier to build. Once a habit is truly established, you can decide whether it earns a place in your travel bag—or whether simplifying your routine while traveling is part of the joy.
This list isn’t just about what goes into your bag—it’s about how your home supports your life.
When you have simple systems, clear lists, and fewer decisions to make, packing stops feeling stressful. Your time isn’t found—it’s freed.
And that’s exactly the feeling this list is designed to create.
