🧳 The Travel Rule I Quietly Break Every Trip 🧳
Published: Mon, 12/15/25
Updated: Mon, 12/15/25
Confession time: I pack carry-on only—but I still overpack these things every trip.
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The Travel Rule I Quietly Break Every Trip
I'm currently back home recovering from the 13-hour jet lag difference.
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I decided not to take the jet lag pills on the flight back because I wanted to give other passengers the privilege of using the airplane’s bathroom.
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Honestly, I may experiment with them again once I build up my courage.
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As you know, I'm all about carry-on travel and packing light. But I'll admit, I'm a bit of a hypocrite sometimes because things aren't always black and white.
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So I wanted to come clean about the items I overpack. Hope you enjoy this list:
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Laptop - I guess I don't need to bring my laptop, but it helps when I want to write and edit videos on the road.
Extra shoes - Sometimes I bring an extra pair of gym shoes if I'm staying somewhere for a long time. I can't bring myself to go to a nice restaurant in my running shoes. And running on pavement in my casual shoes isn't good for my joints. So I bring an extra pair of running shoes for the gym. Still, shoes take up so much space in
luggage.
Yoga mat - I bring this sometimes when I want to stretch. I've tried stretching on the bed and stretching on the bare floor with a towel, but nothing beats a yoga mat.
Drone and video equipment - Even though I've cut down the amount of equipment I bring, not having the right tool for the job sucks. So I stand by my decision to bring more camera equipment than needed. Â
I love my drone
Power banks - Confession: I think I'm a power bank hoarder. On my last trip, I brought 4 different power banks. Honestly, I can definitely cut down on this because power banks are
heavy.
Toiletries - I'm not getting any younger, so skin care is important.
Spare phone - I've been
there—losing your phone on a trip sucks, so I always carry a spare just in case that happens again.
Undergarments - I always bring more underwear and socks than I need, but I don't think this is ever going to change.
Shaving equipment - I'm in the process of trying to improve this because I shave with a safety razor back at home. However, I can't bring safety razors on a plane. Hopefully when I optimize my shave routine, I won't have to worry about all the extra space this takes up.
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If you notice a pattern, I don't skimp on grooming, content creation, and exercise.
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But, packing light has a deeper purpose than just bringing less. The goal is to be aware of what you bring on a trip and only bring items you're actually going to use.Â
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So if you use every item you bring on your trip and that needs a lot of luggage, then so be it—bring it.
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Keep traveling,
Andrew
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What travel equipment do you bring more than necessary?
Cocktail of the Week
The Dark 'n' Stormy cocktail has its origins in Bermuda, where it has been the national drink for over a century. Created using Gosling's Black Seal Rum and ginger beer, this refreshing
cocktail is said to have been invented by sailors during World War I, giving it a nautical and adventurous history.
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Recipe:
2 oz Gosling's Black Seal Rum
4-6 oz ginger beer
Lime wedge for garnish
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Instructions:
Fill a highball glass with ice.
Pour in the Gosling's Black Seal Rum.
Top up the glass with ginger beer.
Squeeze a lime wedge over the drink and drop it into the glass as a garnish.
Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
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Random Travel Thought
My most consistent Michelin-star experience isn’t the food; it’s the price tag.
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Follow me on Instagram.
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The Plug
Cheap flights:
Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!!Â
Secret
Flying
🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
Skyscanner
:
An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.
Insurance:
Safety
Wing
:
I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.
Travel Gear
Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping
clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it
weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up! Link
*Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.
