Happy March, friends!

If spring is whispering “adventure!” in your ear (as it is in mine), it must be time to dish on all things travel organization! The kind that actually saves time, sanity, and suitcase space so your only tough decision is where to book your next flight. Seriously, where are we traveling next??

Traveling should feel like a breath of fresh air, not a panic "what did I forget?!” scramble at the airport. Between years of organizing client closets and spaces, packing for family vacations, and lovingly helping others prep for moves and trips, I’ve gathered some tried-and-true travel hacks that are simple, but magic.

Let’s go!

Create a Packing List Once

I’ve been a huge fan of the COZI app for years as you can have collaborative lists with others (like your spouse). My husband and I created a packing list for the kids and a separate list for ourselves and this gives both of us the opportunity to help with the packing process.

When the kids were born I realized how many THINGS you had to haul on trips, so I created a list organized by the room of the house where items were stored. Here is a consolidated example:

Garage: Car Seats, Sunglasses
Kitchen: Watter Bottles, Tylenol
Bathroom: Wipes, Toothpaste + Toothbrush
Bedroom: Lovies + PJs

Without this list, it is no wonder we would forget things! While we pack significantly less these days, I still love that I never forget an item because this list is always available. And I love that you can check items off as you pack, and then uncheck all in one quick tap so the list is ready for your next vacation.

Pack with Purpose

If we’ve been friends for any amount of time, you know my obsession with Nuuly! Renting my clothes for travel, special occasions and heck, everyday wear has allowed me to maintain a relatively minimalist closet while having so much fun with fashion.

As I prep outfits for a trip, I plan my Nuuly a few weeks ahead to ensure I have time to try everything on. I also like to take photos of each outfit with accessories for quick reference. Vacation outfits must check the following boxes:

Versatile Layers: Choose clothing that mixes and matches easily. Bonus points if nothing needs to be ironed or steamed upon arrival.
Neutral Palette with Punchy Pops: Neutral basic creates more outfit combinations with less stuff, but I highly suggest tossing in a few bold colors.
One Bag Rule: Vacations are a great opportunity to live minimally (and who knows, you might even carry some of this into your daily life). I try to carry-on if at all possible!
Wear Your Heaviest Layers: I throw on as many layers as I can muster, so I don’t have to waste space in my suitcase. I’m always grateful for this when I hop on that ice-cold airplane.
Minimize Your Maintenance Routine: My dermatologist would probably cringe in a big way if she read this, but I keep my travel beauty routine simple (like face wash and lotion). I skip a lot of the extra make-up too, so that I can pack the smallest toiletry case possible.

Organize Your Swimwear + Kid’s Clothes with Purpose

Organize your swim pieces into small packing cubes or slim zip pouches (both in your drawer and in your suitcase). This saves space and ensures you always know where both pieces of that favorite suit is.

These pouches can be great for packing kids outfits too!

Use Every Square Inch

When trying to pack in a carry-on, it is crucial to use every square inch possible. Stuff socks into your shoes, roll jewelry into your clothing, and spend a few minutes considering whether packing cubes help or hurt your efforts. I might be the only organizer out there who doesn’t really see the point.

My personal approach: I find that laying items in the suitcase (not even rolling them) allows me to pack quite a large stack of laundry in a carry-on.

Schedule Ahead for Post-Vacation Sanity

We love to schedule grocery delivery for the day we return home from a vacation. Set up a delivery window for the afternoon you land home so you can unpack, unwind, and actually relax.

Bonus points if you add this task to your packing list on COZI - you’ll never forget anything this way. :)

Tidy Up Before You Go

Raise your hand if you dread returning to a mess! Both my hands are raised right now.

Before you walk out the door:

✔️ Put away stray belongings
✔️ Wipe counters
✔️ Take out trash
✔️ Put fresh linens on the bed
✔️Schedule cleaners to come while you are away

Coming home to a tidy space is like a mental hug! I also think that if there are little trinkets, kids papers, etc. lying around, that a great time to have those disappear is while you are away. And don’t forget, scheduling a whole home refresh with the TBM team while you are on vacation is a gift that keeps on giving for months and months upon return!!

Pause the Mail

This is one of those little logistical wins that feels huge! Even short trips can lead to overflowing mail piles. Pausing the mail through USPS is so easy and eliminates having to ask a neighbor to grab while you are away. I also love the Daily Digest emails that you can sign up for through USPS, so you can see what mail is coming in while you are away. Every piece is scanned and you receive a single email showing each day’s mail contents.

Cheers to Light Luggage and Big Memories!

Whether you’re heading somewhere warm or planning a last-minute weekend escape, a little intentional prep helps the whole experience feel lighter and way more organized.

Because travel should be about the moments, not the missing toothbrush.

Happy packing!

The Baer Minimalist helps busy families create ORGANIZED + STYLIZED spaces throughout Indianapolis. To keep up to date with all of the tips, tricks and inspiration doled out, subscribe to our newsletter, The Minimal-List, here.

Pack Smart, Return Calm // Minimalist Travel Tips You'll Actually Use