Top of the morning! As you likely know by now, I’ll be leaving in a couple weeks to study abroad in the United Kingdom for four months. Going into this long-anticipated study abroad program, it was important to me that I not overpack. After all, who wants to be weighed down when they’re off to (quite literally!) fly across the ocean to a distant land? Nobody, that’s who!
For this reason, I challenged myself to take only what I could fit neatly in a carry-on suitcase and a personal backpack. No checked baggage allowed! What follows is the result of a very long Saturday afternoon’s efforts trying to pack, unpack, and repack everything and make sure I’m only taking the absolute essentials.
SUITCASE
My suitcase is the Carry-On from AWAY, which was (in hindsight) a little small for my needs. They offer a Bigger Carry On, but I chose the smaller one because of baggage restrictions on the flights to Ireland. If that’s not a concern for you, I’d definitely go with a bigger size.
Whatever suitcase you choose, I would recommend you pick one with four wheels, so you can wield it properly and push it ahead of you and look very posh when you walk through airports. Also, you can attach your personal item to it and keep one hand free for holding a cup of coffee.
Clothes
- two pairs of jeans: black and dark wash (also a belt)
- five shirts: two black, two gray, and a tank top
- three tops: plaid button-up shirt, and two floral tops
- four jackets: a warm vest, black leather jacket, black rain coat, and fleece sweatshirt
- one floral dress (for church and city outings)
- my workout clothes
- a packing cube for socks, underwear, and pajamas
- three pairs of shoes: black boots, walking shoes, and hiking shoes
- a beanie for the colder weather
Toiletry Bag
- a quart-size pouch for all my liquids (all under 3 oz.): shampoo, conditioner, facial cleanser, moisturizer, a perfume roller, tint skin cream, mascara, and toothpaste. This will go in my backpack so I can whip it out when I get to security
- makeup: powder foundation and brush, blush powder and brush, eyebrow powder and brush, two sets of earrings, and three shades of lip shimmer. All of this is from my minimal makeup routine, except for the powder foundation (which is only for special occasions and outings)
- hairbrush and hair bands
- deodorant
- toothbrush and retainer
- miscellaneous: q-tips, razor, feminine products
Miscellaneous
- a pouch of all charging cords, an adaptor, and extra pair of headphones
- a little umbrella
- a little backpack for day trips
- documents: a thin little folder of piano sheet music, folder for academic syllabi, and stationary to send home all my written adventures
BACKPACK
This will be my “personal item” for the flight. This is the same backpack I used for college classes, but it’s like Mary Poppins’ bag.
Technology and Necessities
- laptop in case
- iPhone and headphones
- polaroid camera and extra film
- a money bag with currency, passport, student ID, a backup copy of Passport, and the necessary cards (along with a day wallet for everyday purchases) and a flash drive of backup documents.
Nomad Office
- school/journal supplies: sticky notes, tape, paper clips, highlighters, index cards, mini stapler, eraser.
- a few tiny pocket journals for scribbling notes or sketches on the go
- my morning pages notebook
- travel journal (I use this one) and pens
- day planner
- sunglasses in case
- eyeglasses in case
For the Flight
- snacks for the flight: protein bars, trail mix, and dried fruit
- a refillable water bottle
- breath mints/gum
- a pair of compression socks
Before I sign out, I wanted to give you guys something of a life update. These last couple weeks have been a much-needed break for me. When I started this blog, I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to consistently produce content and have the courage to share it online in such a public way. I’m an introvert, and so this has been a year of stretching my comfort zone.
On my holiday, I’ve had plenty of time to dream up ideas for this blog. One thing that I realized is that I want this blog to be more of my own personal artistic expression — more of a creative outlet, in other words. I want these posts to reflect what’s happening in my life.
This week, I’ll be departing to England for two weeks with my mom and my brother, at the end of which I’ll bid them farewell and join my college’s study abroad program in London. I’ll be posting my adventures on social media, so be sure to follow me on Instagram @simply.oliviagrace and travel to England with me!
I love you all,
<3 Olivia Grace
