In the land of the midnight sun, summer means adventuring!  While travelling and exploring new places can be a whole lot of fun, sometimes the stress of planning and packing can be a bit overshadowing. Our family is typically out exploring most weekends during the summer, and out of necessity, we have worked to streamline and simplify our packing, unpacking and planning so that we can not be burned out before we even leave town.  

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Simplifying your adventures can help reduce that mental load and allow you to fully enjoy your experiences.  

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I want to share with you five ways to make your adventuring easier:  

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1. Think Once: 

Create a packing list for the different types of adventures that you enjoy. For our family, we have one for the cabin, one for camping and another for summertime trips.  As a bonus, you can download a copy of our editable packing list here.  Consider creating a tab in the excel file for each type of adventure. Print a copy and then use a highlighter to cross off items once they are packed. This is a great way to have the kid involved with packing too! Finding items, putting them in the pile and crossing them off the list can be a whole lot of fun! Our kids have been packing their own clothes since they were 3 years old and love it (I’ll share our tips on this in a future article).  

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2. Pack Light:

One of the easiest ways to simplify your adventuring is to pack light. Focus on bringing versatile clothing pieces that can be layered and work together and only pack items that you know you will actually wear. Stick to items that are easy to wash, dry quickly, don’t show the dirt and work together.  

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3. Stay Organized: 

Keep your stuff organized while adventuring can make a world of difference. Invest in packing cubes or compression bags to keep your clothes neat and tidy in your suitcase. Each person can have their own cube which keeps things tidy AND limits how much each person can bring.  Create a designated spot for important documents like passports and insurance.  

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4. Embrace Minimalism:

When it comes to adventure gear, less is often more. Instead of packing multiple gadgets and accessories, opt for versatile items that serve multiple purposes. For example, a travel towel can double as a beach blanket, and a lightweight backpack can be used for day trips.

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5. Practice Mindfulness:

The key to simplifying your adventures is to be present in the moment. Instead of worrying about the small details or stressing about things that are out of your control, focus on enjoying the experience. Take time to appreciate where you are and who you are with.  

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For me, streamlining and simplifying our planning and packing process has been a game changer! It allows our whole family to help pack and reduces the mental load that comes with adventuring with three kids and a dog.  

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You can grab a copy of our free packing list and make it your own. Feel free to edit it to reflect what you like to bring on your adventures!  

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Grab your copy of our free packing list here.

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Happy Trails!  

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