What I Always Pack

Packing for a solo trip used to overwhelm me. I'd forget things, over-pack, unpack once I got there and realise half of what I brought I didn't need. Over the years I built a routine that works, and I want to share it with you.

The trick isn't a list. The trick is a method.

My method: pack from your little toes up

I call it the little toes technique. I don't know why exactly, but it stuck.

Instead of writing a random list, I mentally start at my feet and work my way up. It sounds silly, but it works — because you cover every part of your body without forgetting anything.

Little toes first: socks and shoes. How many pairs of shoes do I need for this trip? Walking shoes? A nicer pair for dinner? Sandals? Enough socks for all of them?

Legs: pants, skirts, underwear. What am I going to wear day to day? Do I need something warmer or more elegant?

Torso: t-shirts, tops, bras. What do I wear during the day, what do I wear at night, what if I want to go somewhere a bit dressier?

Head: hat, sunglasses. Anything I need to protect from sun, cold, rain.

By the time I get to the top of my head, I know I haven't skipped anything. It's the simplest way I've found to pack for a solo trip without forgetting the small stuff.

Stick to basics that combine with each other

The other trick that keeps my suitcase light is packing pieces that all work together. Black and white t-shirts, a pair of jeans that goes with everything, one or two versatile tops, a jacket that fits over anything. When every piece combines with every other piece, you double or triple your outfits without doubling the weight of your suitcase.

I'd rather bring five things I can mix and match than fifteen pieces I can only wear one way.

Another method: the seasonal template

A friend of mine does it a completely different way, and I love her system. She has pre-made lists by season — one for winter trips, one for summer, one for autumn, one for spring. When she's about to travel, she pulls out the template that fits her destination's weather, adjusts a couple of details, and packs from there.

If you're the kind of person who prefers structure over improvising every time, this is a great alternative. Build your templates once, use them for years, and never start a packing session from scratch again.

What I always bring, no matter the destination

Beyond clothes, there are some things that come with me on every trip:

A basic pharmacy kit. Always. An anti-histamine (I get allergies), migraine medication (I suffer from them), omeprazole for stomach issues. When you travel, you eat things your stomach isn't used to — and after forty, believe me, we like to indulge but the stomach doesn't always agree. Bringing your own basic medication saves you the drama of finding a pharmacy in a country where you don't speak the language or don't know the brands.

Copies of my documents. I bring a printed copy of my passport in my bag, and I keep photos of it on my phone. If anything happens — lost passport, stolen wallet, needing to prove who you are — you have backups. This one has saved travellers more times than they can count.

A padlock. Depending on where I'm going, I sometimes prefer to lock my valuables inside my backpack rather than leaving them in the hotel safety box. A good padlock costs almost nothing and gives you options.

An extra phone charger. Losing your phone battery when you're alone in a new city is the worst timing. I always bring a spare cable, a spare adapter, and a small power bank.

A tripod for my phone. Because I like taking photos of myself in the places I visit, and asking strangers to take them never quite works the way you want. A small phone tripod fits anywhere and changes the photos you come home with.

Practical extras I don't skip

Universal adapter. Especially if you're going to different countries on the same trip.

Reusable water bottle. Saves you money, saves you plastic.

Small bag for laundry. So you don't mix clean clothes with dirty ones halfway through the trip.

Sunscreen and a lip balm. Even in cold countries.

A pair of comfortable walking shoes you've already broken in. Never travel with brand new shoes.

What I learned to leave at home

Every solo trip taught me something not to pack:

Too many "just in case" outfits. You'll wear the same three things.

Big bulky books. Kindle or phone app is better.

Full-size toiletries. Travel-size for the trip, buy more if you need to.

Heavy jewellery. You won't wear most of it and it stresses you out to carry it.

Every trip you take, you refine your list a little more. That's part of the process.

The mindset

Packing lightly and well isn't about buying the perfect gear or having a specific brand of suitcase. It's about knowing what you actually use, having a method so you don't forget the essentials, and letting go of the "what if I need this" thinking.

The best packing list is the one you build for yourself, trip after trip, until it becomes second nature.

Have you experienced this while travelling solo? Share your story with the She Wanders Safe community soon.