Eva writing, from overseas!
My family and I have been on the go this summer, and as I was packing for five weeks abroad with three small children, I found myself thinking about how to pack light without sacrificing comfort. This is our second international trip as a family, and I learned some things from the first go-round that I knew I didn’t want to replicate. Like, the “packable” duffel for extra on the way home, that ended up being used through the whole trip because we had it? Yea…that.
Below: how refill products and the refill mentality shaped my packing, what worked before, what I’m doing differently this time, and some practical tips for travel this summer and beyond.
Clothes
For ease, I challenged myself to fit everything for our entire family into:
- one medium suitcase
- one small carry-on
- And 4 backpacks (one for each of us, except our 2 year old)
What that looked like in practice? About a week’s worth of clothes per person, plus a swimsuit, rain jacket, sun hats for kids, sandals and good walking shoes (which we wore, so those weren’t packed). Laundry makes this possible.
What worked before: We brought the amount of laundry tabs we would need in a stasher bag. We also used packing cubes which makes keeping track of things for 5 people a lot easier (and more compressed).
What I learned: dryers are not a given, so fabric matters.
What I changed this time around: I made it more of a game ie: more mix and match. More easy-dry items (lots of linen, for me). And also, given the length of our trip, I didn’t feel the need to pack everything. (We picked up laundry soap, for example, on the go.)
Checking bags makes things feel light, but the biggie is remembering all the public transit and walking after the airport. Honestly that’s the main reason I try to pack light cuz even when we do, it still feels like a lot with young kids, a stroller, etc.
How it’s going: Many things feel simpler and more manageable abroad. Granted, we are on vacation. But still, I’m not overwhelmed by the daily life stuff that usually overwhelms me at home, and I think it has a lot to do with the simplicity of our living situation. Because I packed us super light and the washers are small and everything is air dry, laundry is just the ritual of a small load a day and that’s that. And afterwards, it doesn’t sit on my floor in a clean heap; it gets put away immediately because there’s not much of it. We don’t have all our spices and usual food-stuffs so cooking is simplified, which makes dishes simplified…there are not copious amounts of toys to clean up… will I get home and donate/sell everything? 😅TBD.
I totally understand why Christine wanted to open a refill store after all her years of international travel, though, because there is an opportunity in being away to question how you operate at home (the sheer amount of STUFF). We complain about laundry, for example, but it’s only because we’ve given ourselves so much laundry to do by having so many clothes, not needing to do it as often, letting it pile up, etc. In the past, I romanticized capsule wardrobes for style reasons, but this trip has really shown me the practical side of them, particularly when you’re doing laundry for 5 people. There is something to be said for loving every piece and not having as many choices… not just for comfort, confidence and ease, but also for time and energy.
Toiletries
Here’s what came with us from Bridge :)
What worked before: We didn’t check any bags on our last international trip, so our limits were small but we made it work. Sample sizes galore (which is DIY-able when you refill), and honestly not being able to pack more…it was fine. I just couldn’t, so I didn’t.
What I learned: how little we need.
What I changed this time around: I’ve since become more acquainted with solid versions of the essentials (ie: face and hair bars). I love a good multipurpose product (like a face oil that can also be a hair oil), and I’m on the toothpaste and mouthwash tablet band wagon, too. This means less TSA rules, less liquid, less leaking, less packaging, less waste…and again, more ease. I did splurge on our new GoToob bottles before we left. That said, initially I thought I would have to do a larger size given the length of our trip, but I googled refill shops near our apartment and found one that was close-ish (just a bus ride away) so I opted for the 3.4 oz which is still carry-on friendly. And then…I was able to refill to carry us into the last two weeks! This was a total game changer, and sincerely something I never would have thought to do were it not for Bridge. They were not the same products, of course, but it meant that I could buy the amount we would need without having to buy another bottle (even a travel one) and without having to buy a bunch of products that would go to waste if we couldn’t transport them back.
How it’s going: Supply on most things is still going strong 💪 Bars last so much longer, especially if you have a dish or way for them to dry properly. I just needed to refill the Toobs (body wash, conditioner, and lotion, which I swapped for sunscreen, as we ran out of ours). Honestly next time, I’ll probably just go with a solid conditioner bar… will last longer and free up a Toob for something else 😌
If you’re curious, here’s a refill shop UK style :)
Gather in Peckham (South East London)
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So cute!
Okay, recap! Five things I think about when I think about travel:
- Laundry is a thing! Even if your place doesn’t have it, it’s usually available nearby. Pack powder, laundry strips (make sure they are plastic free!), or smaller detergent sizes, like our Root & Splendor minis with you for convenience (and safer ingredients, than most mainstream brands), and voila - suddenly you’re packing way less, and wondering why you have so much to begin with.
- Stasher bags (or similar reusables) are not just for snacks or sandwiches; they make great containers for so many things (like laundry powder!) An unexpected perk of refilling is the way it helps all of us see containers beyond the labels we put on them. Think outside the box.
- Packing cubes for the win. Highly recommend. There are so many different kinds; find the quality and price point that fits your life.
- Solid > Liquid. Less rules, less leaking, longer lasting, and performance is often just as good. Also - look for multipurpose 👀
- Google refill shops near where you’ll be! Of course they won’t always be there, but you might be surprised :)
The reward?
Fewer things to keep track of, fewer decisions, less stuff to haul, and more room for what actually matters. I’m being honest when I say, it is inspiring me to make more changes when I get home.
Safe travels, wherever you go 🌎
