Traveling must-haves

I traveled a good amount in 2019, for work and for pleasure.

My favorite place I visited for pleasure was to southern France. (Nice was so nice!)

My favorite place to travel for work was San Francisco. And Houston.
Stories on these later.

The above trips were both long-planned and taken in short notice—but in either case, I must always have these FIVE items with me when I travel.

TOP 5 items in my travel bag:

  1. Skincare potions

    • Face cream, tinted moisturizer, toner, make-up remover, face mist (sometimes I feel like I take care of my skin better when I’m traveling!)

    • Bonus: face masks (either the sheets or clay mask in travel size)- drier climates and airplane rides can make my skin feel tight, so masks give me a boost!

  2. Chapstick

  3. Wireless headphones

    • This is a new thing for me. Yes, I’ve been with non-wireless headphones all this time.
      Wireless has been life-changing. Why did I ever subject myself to getting tangled with my wired headphones all the time on-the-go?

  4. Journal + pen(s)

    • I don’t feel secure if I travel without my journal.
      Yes, there have been times when I never opened it during my trip, but at least I feel better when I have it with me in my suitcase.
      And, a nice gel ink pen. Think MUJI pens. It’s important for me to have a proper ‘output’ for my thoughts and emotions—journaling is one easy way to do so.

  5. Proper pajamas/ loungewear

    • I’m all about feeling ‘at home’ and at ease whenever I’m not sleeping in my own room. Having clean set of pajamas or loungewear definitely makes me feel more comfortable and at peace sleeping in an unfamiliar bed.

So, I always include these top 5 items whenever I travel.
But when I travel for work, here are the additional MUST HAVES:

  • Laptop

    • Composing emails, transcribing interviews are much easier on a laptop.

  • External hard drive

    • You never know when that memory card gets full and you need to upload files ASAP. Also, if you’re traveling with a photographer or crew, it could save time to transfer files onto a personal hard drive while on the trip instead of waiting until getting back to the office.

  • Small notepad

    • Jotting down notes during an interview or writing down ideas on the road can be faster and less distracting with pen and paper.

  • Makeup kit

    • I normally do not wear much makeup, but if i know I’m going to be on-camera (it’s the HD times, ya’ll), I need the proper paint to go on my face. This usually means liquid foundation, mascara/lashes, lipstick, blush, eyeliner.

    • Bonus: hair-stick by Bedhead (to tame flyaway strands), curling iron by CONAIR (to tame mane)

  • Painkillers (Motrin)

    • That annoying headache or migraine, or body aches can come at anytime. If I feel my body not feeling 100%, I take one pill as soon as I can. Sometimes you don’t have time, and you don’t want to waste time with looking for a drugstore. I have a small plastic container with the pills and throw it into my makeup bag!

I like to travel light, and like to think of myself as a simple traveler. One hard-case carry-on all the way!