Brendan Sweeney graduated with a degree in psychology from the University of Illinois. Outside of his role as an account manager for ECE design in Chicago, Illinois. Brendan Sweeney is an avid adventurer and enjoys traveling and exploring new cities.

Packing for a trip may seem like a cumbersome task. Deciding which clothes to pick, what essentials will be needed, and the quantity of luggage to carry when considering how long would be spent at the destination could take the fun out of the journey. Most people make a list to travel light, and in some cases, a list does not always cut it. It is possible to make a traveling list and still forget a few things needed for the travel.

The first step to packing light is using a smaller suitcase rather than a big one. This reduces any need to pack extra and irrelevant luggage as there would not be much space left.

Next, it is advised to check the weight of the luggage when purchasing it. It is easier to know you have packed lighter if you know the initial weight of the bag. It is more efficient to use compression packing cubes because it puts a natural limit on how many clothes you can take and creates a little space in the bag for souvenirs.

Another trick to packing light is to start packing early. People who tend to overpack do so because they are in a rush at the last minute and have little time to think about what they would need during their trip. Starting early allows for more time to think and assess how long the trip would be, making packing easier and lighter an achievable goal.