Keep Calm & Carry On {Essentials}

Anyone else have FOMO- Fear of Missing Out? Well when it comes to packing, I have FOMS.. Fear of missing something! I over qualify as an over-packer, and I like it that way because I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Amiright? Packing can be tricky depending on the length and the destination of the trip. My ultimate favorite thing to pack is my carry on because it generally stays the same no matter where it goes.

Here is a list of essential carry on items that are anchors in my pre-trip-planning, but often forgotten:

1. Wallet.

Obviously you won't get very far without it, but it is one of those items you put on your counter and walk out the door without it. Only to turn your car around to come back and get it. For within it, it holds all the keys to life. Obviously that's not true but it does hold some pretty important stuff!

My wallet will always contain these items when traveling:

- ID: Driver's license is usually enough, but when that destination requires an adjustment to the list just grab that passport!

- Banking Cards: Money makes the world go round, but in this case money gets you around the world! So whether you prefer credit or debit, make sure your preference is in a safe place and not forgotten.

- Cash: It is good to carry at least a tiny bit of cash on you for tipping purposes!!

- Tickets: I usually have all of my tickets on my phone for flying and such but it is always a safe bet to have a paper copy in case of emergencies.

2. Devices + Chargers.

I don't care if you use Apple, Android, Samsung, or Nokia - is that still a thing? You need ya devices & their chargers!! The last thing you want is to be Lost in Japan with no communication device. Bottom line: Just Don't Forget Them.

3. Head Phones. I just wanna take a moment to thank whoever created headphones because long flights, car rides, train rides and other means of transportation would be way less interesting without them. And now I just wanna take a moment to thank God himself for giving someone the idea of Airpods. Not an ad, just an obsession. Seriously, they are the best. Wired or not, don't forget em. I love wearing headphones to travel just as much as the next person but I do make a request with my recommendation: make sure you are aware of your surroundings and are courteous to others while being distracted into your super cool Podcast, Netflix, or music apps.

4. Some smell Goods. Traveling for multiple long hours makes me feel gross almost always. And it might sound weird, but I always keep a mini deodorant and travel size perfume in my bag. I also like to keep a smell good hand sanitizer and lotion in my bag with me too. It's the perfect mini combo for me because I may be a slight germaphobe so after being in a plane or going into gas stations on a road trip it is nice to put some hand sanitizer on or lotion if your hands are dry. I love being clean - Call me crazy!!

5. Snacks!! Whenever I travel I always have an unusually large water container by my side. If you are flying you may experience an increase of dehydration because of the lack of humidity in the cabin; another factor that contributes to dehydrations when flying is the frequent altitude changes. Some may not consider water to be a snack, but it is always a necessity when traveling for me. If you know me, then you know how much I love jalapeño Cheetos + a blue Powerade. These are my GO-TO travel snack. A fun question to ask someone close to you is" "What is your favorite gas station food?" I remember when Christian and I first started dating, I asked weird questions like that all the time (but hey! If I'm going to be road tripping the rest of my life with this guy, I need to know what kind of snacks he likes - it was the yellow hot Cheetos just in case you were wondering).

6. Travel Jackets and/or Sweater. You can never go wrong with a light jacket or sweater. I am such a colder natured person, which basically means it can be eighty degrees outside and I am still shivering.

7. Sunglasses. You never know when you'll need these bad boys.

😎 A common forgotten but much needed item, especially if your are going somewhere tropical! They're great to protect your eyes from the harmful sun, and if you are anything like me with tiny eyes it can get pretty annoying to try to squint all the time (And you're creating wrinkles! Ekkk!!).