August 17, 2026
Hi, I'm Linda Mason, founder of LuLuROAM. I share practical packing tips, travel inspiration, and curated finds to help you travel lighter and more beautifully.
There was a time when I packed for every possible “what if.”
What if it gets cold?
What if we decide to go somewhere nice for dinner?
What if I need another pair of shoes?
Sound familiar?
The funny thing is, most of those “what ifs” never happened.
What did happen was dragging around a heavy suitcase filled with things I never used.
Over the years, I’ve learned that traveling well isn’t about bringing more. It’s about bringing the right things. Every trip has taught me to simplify a little more, and every time I leave something behind, I seem to enjoy the journey even more.
Here are a few things I no longer pack and why I don’t miss them.
I used to pack enough clothes for every possible occasion.
Now I choose versatile pieces that mix and match effortlessly. A comfortable dress that can go from sightseeing to dinner. A lightweight sweater that works on the plane or during a cool evening walk. Pieces that earn their place in my suitcase.
I’ve never once wished I’d packed five more outfits.
This one was hard.
Shoes take up an incredible amount of space, and I used to bring far too many.
Today I travel with a comfortable walking shoe, a dressier option if the trip calls for it, and sometimes sandals if I’m heading somewhere warm.
That’s usually all I need.
Travel-sized products have come a long way.
They’re lighter, easier to organize, and I don’t worry about airport security or spills inside my suitcase.
A good toiletry organizer keeps everything in one place, making hotel mornings much simpler.
Years ago, I’d toss jewelry into little pouches and hope for the best.
Now I carry a compact jewelry organizer that keeps everything separated and easy to find. No tangled necklaces. No missing earrings.
Sometimes the smallest organizational changes make the biggest difference.
This may be the biggest lesson of all.
I’ve stopped packing things because I might use them someday.
Instead, I ask myself one simple question:
Will I actually use this on this trip?
If the answer is no, it stays home.
That one question has made packing easier than any travel hack I’ve ever learned.
Instead of filling my suitcase with “just in case,” I focus on a few thoughtfully chosen essentials that I know I’ll reach for again and again.
A passport wallet that keeps important documents together.
Packing cubes that make unpacking almost effortless.
A lightweight wrap for chilly airplanes and cool evenings.
A few favorite comforts that make every hotel room feel a little more like home.
Travel has become lighter, simpler, and surprisingly more enjoyable.
Because I’ve discovered something that took years to learn:
Packing less doesn’t mean giving something up.
It means making room for the experiences you’ll remember long after you’ve unpacked.
Happy travels,
Linda
💬 I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one thing you stopped packing that you don’t miss at all?
Share it in the comments. Your tip might help another traveler pack a little lighter.
