What Should You Pack When Traveling?

Living in 3 countries in 6 months has taught me what to pack and how to do so efficiently. I've assembled the below guide on how to decide what to pack when planning a trip. But first, some Basic Questions: Do you plan to stay for one week, month, year? How's the weather and climate? What will you purchase during your stay? Answering these determines how much to pack.

Now onto the guide!

Clothes. Basic tanks, tees, long sleeve shirts, one light and one heavy jacket, sleepwear, a couple pairs of jeans, flats, sneakers, and rain boots are all you really need. Leave behind anything that doesn't serve enough purpose - how often will you be wearing clubbing clothes anyway? 

Electronics. Phones, iPads or laptops may be necessary - full on gaming systems and semi-functional chargers are not.

Medical Supplies. Between securing an address, waiting on customs, and submitting prescriptions (from a local doctor, at that), don't assume it'll be easy to ship over medical supplies. Pack an extra month's worth of supplies in case everything doesn't go according to plan.

Books. You're either working or on vacation. Stick to only a couple books for the flight over.

Gadgets. Non-professional cameras are a must while other items should be chosen wisely. Moving into a furnished apartment? New kitchen gadgets will cost less than overweight baggage fees.

Hygiene. This one is tricky since some places might not offer specific items or brands you need (e.g. acne products, silicone-free hair products). Take either travel or full size items with you.

Non-essentials. Consider use vs size. My fiance and I have a small photo album which isn't essential but is sentimental and small enough to be worth packing.

Hopefully now you can sort essentials from junk to make for a fun and memorable adventure!