Essential Travel Packing Guide: Lessons from an Unexpected Month-Long Trip
The Situation
What started as a planned 3-day trip to Michigan turned into over 4 weeks due to a family emergency (mother hospitalized). These are the items and strategies that proved invaluable during this unexpectedly extended stay—lessons learned over 30 years of travel experience.
The Delta Airlines Disaster: Travel Day Story
Initial Journey
- Afternoon flight from Orlando to Michigan via Detroit connection
- Always book non-stop flights when possible (especially important during turbulent travel times)
- Flight delayed, connection missed
- Received text notification mid-flight about missed connection with hotel/meal vouchers
The Baggage Nightmare
At Detroit Airport (Late Night):
- Needed to get to Grand Rapids urgently (mother in hospital)
- Approximately 3 hours from Detroit by car
- Went to Delta baggage claim office around 11:00 PM
What Happened:
- Told bag retrieval could take 2-2.5 hours
- Car rental closes at midnight
- Sat by Carousel 5 for 2 hours and 45 minutes (until almost 2:00 AM)
- Returned to desk—bag was in Grand Rapids, not Detroit
- Flight had a last-minute delay; bag was rolled over on tarmac and loaded
- Passenger left behind, bag made the flight
- Had to get hotel around 3:00 AM, slept 3-4 hours, then drove in morning
The Essential Carry-On Kit
Rule #1: Always Pack a Backup Outfit in Carry-On
What to Include:
- Complete change of clothes (can double as pajamas)
- Extra outfit for emergencies
- Extra underwear (keep in small bag, leave permanently in carry-on)
- Extra socks
Why This Matters: When your checked bag goes missing or gets delayed, you're not stuck in the same clothes.
The Travel Essentials Pouch
Small Necessities Kit Contents
Practical Items:
- Cuticle scissors
- Electrolyte powder
- Glasses cleaner
- Scrunchies
- Band-aids
- Extra set of headphones
- Chapstick (essential)
- True Lime packets (for flavoring water/drinks)
Beauty/Comfort:
- Jones Road luminous blush (tiny, adds quick color in a pinch)
Lesson Learned: Had 10 True Lime packets initially, ran out because stores in Grand Rapids didn't carry them. Now packs many more permanently.
Must-Have Electronics & Power
Power Solutions
External Power Banks:
- Always carry two external battery packs
- First one: For watching movies on flights, charging phone for Uber upon arrival
- Second one: Emergency backup for 2-4 additional hours of phone use
- These magnetic power banks attach to phone back for easy charging
- Always bring phone charger (obviously, but worth mentioning)
Headphones
- Charged and ready
- Essential for long waits, delays, bad situations
- Helps "get rid of the world" when tired and frustrated
Hydration & Refreshment
On the Plane
Evian Facial Spray:
- Spray water for face
- Refreshing on long flights
- "Gives you that burst"
- Somehow stays cold and shoots out cold (very nice)
For Your Destination
Water Bottle (Stanley or Similar):
- Pack an empty Stanley cup in checked luggage
- Stay hydrated wherever you're going
- Useful for electrolytes on-the-go
- Works great for cruises too
- Can personalize Stanley cups through Wanderlust CEO for $12 (good gift idea)
Skincare & Minimal Makeup
Light Carry-On Beauty Kit
Morning Essentials (Kept in Small Pouch):
- Origins Perfect World Serum (20-year go-to for great skin)
- Flush/Blush Bomb by Merritt (tap-on for quick color)
- Laura Mercier Un-Concealer (for under-eye jet lag coverage)
- Bobby pins
- Clips for washing face
Philosophy: "More like skincare than makeup"—enough to look presentable without full makeup bag. Big makeup bag stays in checked luggage.
Health & Wellness Monitoring
Oura Ring (Surprise Life-Saver)
Why It Mattered:
- Navigating very difficult, stressful family situation
- In and out of hospitals
- Tough time for family
Benefits During Crisis:
- Monitored self-care during high-stress environment
- Tracked sleep quality (which was poor during crisis)
- Checked daily to see if body needed rest
- Gentle reminder to take care of self while caring for others
- Tracked activity levels
- Key principle: "Can't pour from an empty vessel"
Lesson Learned: Brought charger (doesn't always for 3-day trips since ring holds charge well). Now permanently on packing list for unexpected situations.
The Perfect Travel Bag
Versatile Crossbody/Tote
The Green Suede Bag (J-W-P-E-I Brand):
- Found at Macy's (also available on Amazon)
- Affordable alternative to designer bags
- Green color matched entire fall capsule wardrobe
Why It Worked:
- Went with every fall color: burgundy, navy, brown, tan, caramel
- Small but fit all essentials: keys, money, IDs
- Quick grab-and-go
- Received many compliments
- Didn't need expensive designer bag
Recommendation: Always bring a small tote bag or crossbody in addition to other bags when traveling.
Capsule Wardrobe Strategy
The Breakthrough Moment
Before This Trip:
- Had tested capsule wardrobe on weekend trips
- First long-term test of the concept
During Extended Stay:
- Didn't want to buy whole new wardrobe each week extension
- Had access to laundry facilities
- Everything interchanged perfectly
- Any pants worked with any shirt
Example Outfits:
- Maroon outfit with green suede bag
- "Teacher outfit": corduroys with orange Anthropologie sweater
- Different look every day through mix-and-match
Capsule Wardrobe Philosophy
Key Benefits:
- Don't pack as much but have different looks daily
- Everything works with everything
- Higher quality clothes, fewer items
- Focus on pieces that coordinate
Travel-Specific Advantages:
- Less overpacking
- Room for souvenirs (if on vacation)
- Easier luggage management
- More versatile options
Conversion: "I am such a fan of capsule wardrobe after this—not just for home, but specifically for travels."
Layering Strategy
Why Layers Are Critical
Temperature Variations:
- Planes get cold
- Move from hot to cold environments frequently
- First night at Detroit baggage claim: people coming in/out, cold Michigan air rushing in
What to Pack:
- Sweatshirt
- Jacket
- Multiple shirt layers
- All kept in large carry-on bag (Coach Empire bag test—worked like a charm)
Seasonal Consideration:
- Arrived early October, left early November
- Weather got really cold quickly
- Prepared with layers for changing conditions
Always Pack Extra
The Overpacking Rule for Basics
Underwear and Socks:
- Pack double what you think you'll need
- Better to have too much than too little
- Cozy socks are comfort items that "make you feel like home"
Why This Matters: When 3 days turns into 30+ days, you'll be grateful for the extras.
The Utility Tote Bag
Extra Bag for Daily Use
The Aventura Tote:
- Purchased summer in Aventura, Florida
- Decorated with strawberries (needs fall update)
- Just throw it in main luggage
Why It Was Essential:
Living Situation:
- Stayed in parents' basement bedroom
- Up and down stairs daily with work items
Hospital Visits:
- Daily trips to/from hospital
- Needed different items each day
- Possibility of on-the-go meetings
Solution: Instead of lugging suitcases, quickly packed daily necessities in tote bag—"super, super handy."
Key Takeaways
Top Packing Principles
- Always have backup outfit in carry-on (with extra underwear and socks)
- Pack two external battery packs for emergency phone power
- Bring essential toiletries/comfort items that make you feel at home
- Embrace capsule wardrobe for maximum versatility with minimal items
- Layer everything for temperature flexibility
- Pack extra underwear and socks (double what you think you need)
- Include small utility tote for daily errands and unexpected needs
- Health monitoring device (like Oura Ring) for self-care during stress
- Versatile small bag that matches everything in your wardrobe
- Hydration system (water bottle + electrolytes)
Final Wisdom
"True wealth is health, joy, and happiness. Everything else is just sparkle, right? But we do love the sparkle."