The Carry-On Challenge: How to Pack for a Week (and Actually Enjoy It)

Welcome back to Life Unfiltered, adventurers!

If you're anything like me, the thought of wrestling a giant, overstuffed suitcase through an airport and paying those hefty baggage fees is enough to take the shine off a trip. This year, I embraced the Carry-On Challenge for all my week-long trips, and it’s been a game-changer for my stress levels and my wallet. It’s not about restriction; it’s about intention—a core theme of this blog!

Here’s my unfiltered guide to minimalist, one-bag packing that still leaves room for personality and spontaneity.

1. Embrace the Uniform: The 5-Piece Rule

The secret to packing light is creating a versatile travel "uniform." Choose pieces that are easily layered, mix-and-match effortlessly, and can be dressed up or down.

1. The Foundation: Stick to a neutral base (black, grey, navy) for your main items.
2. 2 pairs of comfortable pants/jeans/skirts.
3. 1 versatile jacket/cardigan that goes with everything.
4. The Variety: Add color and style with tops and accessories.
5. 3-4 tops/shirts that pair with both bottoms.
6. The Footwear: The biggest space-saver!
7. 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes (wear these on the plane).
8. 1 pair of versatile, slightly dressier shoes (flats, simple boots, or sandals).

2. The Rolling vs. Folding Debate

Forget everything you’ve heard about perfectly folded clothes. Rolling is the clear winner for maximizing space and minimizing wrinkles.

1. Roll soft items like tops, t-shirts, and underwear.
2. Fold bulkier items like jackets or sweaters and place them strategically in the bag.

3. Decant, Don’t Duplicate: Mastering Toiletries

This is where the TSA restrictions can actually help you pack smarter. Invest in high-quality travel-size containers and decant your favorite products. Skip the bulky items like hair dryers or excessive makeup—most hotels provide the basics.

1. Tip: Solid toiletries (shampoo bars, stick sunscreen) eliminate the risk of leaks and don't count towards your liquid quota.

4. The Power of Packing Cubes

If there's one item that changed my travel life, it's packing cubes. They are essential for organization and compressing volume.

1. Use one cube for bottoms and jackets.
2. Use one cube for tops and dresses.
3. Use a small cube for undergarments and socks.
4. Use a separate, water-resistant bag for shoes.

5. Leave Room for the ‘Unfiltered’ Moments

After all the careful planning, you must leave 10-15% of your bag empty. This is for the souvenirs, the local snacks, the small things you pick up that make a trip memorable. Don't be so strict that you miss the fun of finding something special to bring home.

Packing a carry-on is truly an exercise in intentional living. You realize how little you actually need to thrive and enjoy the moment.

Happy Travels!