A three-day business trip and a three-day beach escape may be exactly the same length, but they definitely shouldn’t have the same suitcase.

One of the things I’ve learned from traveling is that packing gets much easier when you stop asking, “What should I bring?” and start asking, “What am I actually going to be doing?”

Here’s how I think about four very different kinds of trips.

The Business Trip

The goal: organized, polished and easy.

This is not the trip for digging through your suitcase looking for a charging cable ten minutes before a meeting.

Keep work clothes together, electronics organized and your important documents somewhere you can reach without unpacking half your bag.

A tech organizer is one of those things you don’t think you need until you have one. Chargers, cables, earbuds and adapters all live in one place. Done.

And don’t forget something comfortable for after the workday. You are allowed to stop being business-ready eventually.

Worth packing: Tech organizer, portable charger, travel wallet, packing cubes and one comfortable change of clothes.

The Weekend Escape

The goal: take less.

A weekend away should not require luggage negotiations.

Choose pieces that work together and can be worn more than once. One pair of comfortable shoes, perhaps another for dinner, a small toiletry kit and the things you actually use every day.

If you find yourself saying, “I might need this,” you probably won’t.

The beauty of a weekend trip is being able to grab your bag and go.

Worth packing: Small carry-on or weekender, compact toiletry bag, packing cubes, portable charger and versatile clothes.

The Resort

The goal: easy from morning to night.

Resort packing sounds simple until you realize you’re dressing for breakfast, pool, beach, cocktails and dinner, sometimes all in the same day.

Think in layers and transitions rather than completely different outfits.

A swimsuit, cover-up, comfortable sandals, sun protection and something that can take you from late afternoon into dinner will do far more work than an overstuffed suitcase.

And check what the resort already provides before packing things you don’t need.

Worth packing: Lightweight tote, sun hat, toiletry organizer, versatile layers and something a little special for dinner.

The Cruise

The goal: prepare for two vacations at once.

A cruise is really a ship vacation and a destination vacation combined.

Onboard, you may want swimwear, casual clothes and something for dinner. In port, you’ll want comfortable shoes and a small bag for your phone, wallet, sunscreen, water and identification.

Cabins can also be tight on storage, which makes organization surprisingly important.

And keep anything you’ll need immediately in your carry-on. Your larger luggage may not reach your cabin the moment you do.

Worth packing: Day bag, packing cubes, comfortable walking shoes, evening option and an easy-access carry-on.

The LuLuROAM Rule

Whatever kind of trip you’re taking, don’t pack for every possible situation.

Pack for your actual trip.

I like travel pieces that earn their space. They should keep me organized, make me more comfortable, solve a problem or make getting from one place to another a little easier.

That’s really how I choose what belongs at LuLuROAM, too.

Before something earns a place in your suitcase, ask one simple question:

Will I actually use this?

If the answer is yes, pack it.

If the answer is maybe…

Leave it home.

You’ll probably be glad you did.