Do you visualise yourself as miserably dwarfed by massive backpacks in airports after having boarded from flights to Los Angeles from UK? Or even frantically gathering up strewn clothes from a broken suitcase. The tragedy of over-packing knows no bounds.

 These are some items you shouldn’t pack.

• Guidebooks: In the good old days, a guidebook would be an integral part of your luggage to guide you. But now, all these information and even more, are available at the tip of your fingers from your mobile. Associating with agents as White Magic Travels will be a good decision. Even a laptop/tab is not required unless it’s a work trip on flights to Detroit from UK.

• A voltage converter: You should take along power adapters or a cheap travel outlet adapter, a single solution to all your charging needs.

• Laptop, tab, kindle: Unless you are going away for a long time on flights to Dallas from London, or going on a work trip, or a leisurely one to chill out (have endless time to kill by reading, etc.), you should consider leaving them home. And yes, don’t bring heaps of books. One kindle will suffice.

• Hair dryers and irons: It will only add volume and weight to your luggage because almost all hotels have the facility of hair dryers and irons. In case your accommodation doesn’t have one, it will not be necessary either; if you bring wrinkle-free clothes. Besides, wrinkle-free clothes are light & comfortable to wear, and dry quite fast.

• A heavy camera: Unless you are on a vlogging trip, a heavy camera and the associated stands etc. only adds to your misery. Be smart with your smart phones, which gives us pics with a high resolution these days.

• Money belt: Forget the bulky money belts which were considered safe earlier. Rather go for carrying the cash stacked in different pockets (so that pick-pockets can’t rob the whole amount at once); or the belts which look like the normal ones but with a zip on the inner side to hide some money in there.

• Extra accessories & make-up items: Most hotels have the necessary soap, shampoo, toothpaste for daily use. Even if you stick to a specific brand, carry tiny sachets. Else buy from the local shops. Those who like to accessorise, should stick to the bare minimum. Take one handbag, a pair of multipurpose shoes, one pair of shades, one umbrella (if necessary) and everything less. Remember, you’re on a trip to enjoy that place; flaunt your accessories back at home.
• Heavy towels: These are bulky and heavy provided by most hotels and hostels. If not, you will get them for a small fee.
• Extra medicines: Except for the prescribed ones and the bare minimum first-aid; you can buy any medicine over the counter, you think you may need at any place.
• Valuables: These are safer at home. You will not be able to enjoy your trip after alighting from flights to Houston from London, if the fear of losing your valuables keeps nudging you.
• Extra clothes: Avoid carrying loads of heavy clothes. Rather take smart clothes which are comfortable, light, quick-dry; which can be used in many ways. Extra pair of Jeans (other than the one you’re wearing) is a no-no.
• Too much food: You may bring in a few snacks but nothing more.
• May-need mentality: Lastly but most importantly, don’t just increase your burden, thinking you may need it. Actually you never need it. You can always buy anything if it’s urgent.
• Your stress, plans, urgency, expectations, tight schedules.

Go out! Have fun! Leave your worries behind!