If you’ve followed Road Warriorette for a while, you might know that creating a packing list for each trip is very important to me. I have a system that I use to determine what to pack (which you can receive by signing up for my email list!), and I maintain an ongoing list on my phone in the days leading up to my trip.
I utilize the Notes app instead of a dedicated list-making app. To track my packed items, I simply add “xxx” in front of each item once it’s in my suitcase. For items I need to pack right before leaving (like my makeup or laptop), I mark them with an asterisk. While it’s a simple method, it works well for me.
That is, unless I forget to check my packing list before I head out the door. Sigh.
Last week, I attended a conference in Las Vegas. I had carefully planned my outfits for the past week and successfully packed all my clothes, toiletries, and hair tools the night before my 8 AM flight. However, I left a few items, such as my makeup, phone charger, and power bank, to pack in the morning.
That morning turned out to be a bit hectic. I left home just in time to overlap with my kids getting ready for school. I tried to lend a hand after finishing my own preparations, which consequently made me run late. I needed to use my makeup before leaving, so it was easy to toss it into my suitcase, but I neglected to check my packing list. If I had, I would have remembered to grab my phone charger and power bank.
Note: Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem as I have a phone charger that I keep in my travel bag. I highly recommend having essentials like chargers and toiletries designated for every trip. Unfortunately, my last charger broke, and I hadn’t gotten around to replacing it.
About ten minutes into my drive, it hit me: I had forgotten my charger. Ugh! I ended up paying double the price at the airport for a new one and had to manage without my power bank.
Many hotels keep spare phone chargers that guests have left behind. If you forget yours, it’s definitely worth asking at the front desk. However, in my case, I was heading straight to the conference from the airport and wouldn’t reach my hotel until very late.
On the bright side, I now have a dedicated travel charger again, though I plan on stocking up on extras just in case. I’m fortunate this was something easily replaceable and not something more critical, like my wallet, makeup, or passport (all of which I’ve forgotten in the past). This experience is a great reminder to check the packing list before leaving home. If I had taken just 30 seconds to look, it would have saved me a lot of hassle.
Readers, what is the worst thing you’ve ever forgotten on a business trip?
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