The 8 Things You're Probably Packing (But Shouldn't)

1. High heels/uncomfortable footwear. Why would you do this to yourself? I literally can't think of a single reason why you need these. They make SO many cute flats now. How about these or these instead? If you're like Kim Kardashian and only going to Paris for cheesecake, then OK - but I have never needed a pair of uncomfortable shoes for any vacation and that space in my suitcase can be better utilized - say (hypothetically, of course) by bringing an entire bag of chips home from Norway. Ok maybe two bags. Love yourself, love your feet, your ankles and circulation and go for comfort baby.

2. Expensive jewelry. I understand that some people wear their wedding rings every day, and I get that. If it's something you wear all the time and won't take off and leave behind go for it. Otherwise, don't be willing to take any jewelry you're not also willing to lose.

3. Large toiletries. I go back and forth with packing or not packing basic toiletries. If you really want to travel light, you can probably skip packing any and just purchase what you need when you land. This doesn't totally work for me because I'm a little picky on what shower stuff I use and you can't always find travel size products. I hate to waste 3/4 of a bottle of shampoo, but I am definitely not flying it home. A lot of places now carry smaller toiletry kits that are specially designed to fit exactly the amount you can bring through TSA so if you want to bring a particular brand, you can siphon off whatever you need into one of these smaller bottles and then seal the lids with duct tape. I usually just grab a couple travel size bath products either that I've purchased or snagged from real hotels and bring them with me. That way I don't feel guilty tossing whatever I haven't used before I fly home and I free up some space in my luggage.

4. Something that requires a special bra.  Don't effing do it, man. Backless? No. Strapless? No. Be kind to yourself and keep it simple. I don't even like wearing real bras at all anymore and really have to soul search not to wear a sports bra with everything.

5. A lot of food. Ugh. This is the one piece of advice I'm sorry I took prior to going to Norway. I read a lot of travel tips before our Norway trip that recommended bringing as much food as possible because it was just so expensive. Well guess what? The grocery stores were NOT that expensive, and I was bummed out because I wanted to try the Norwegian food and not the American food that I know everything about. Bring a couple things to get you by until you go to a grocery store but unless you have a strong dietary preference or restriction, stock up when you actually get there.

6. Blow dryer/hair styling tools. See #1. Heat styling products are bad for your hair anyway - let your natural beauty shine through. Plus, even in the rat king motel we stayed at in New Zealand there was a blow dryer.

7. An umbrella. There has only been one time that I have ever needed or wanted an umbrella while traveling and I was able to purchase it for €5 at a convenience shop. As long as you're bringing waterproof clothing and have a jacket with a hood you will be good to go. For me, an umbrella is too cumbersome and half the time I'm trying to figure out how I can stick Jorge with it.

8. Hard cover books. Oh yes I know - nothing quite like turning an ACTUAL page and inhaling the scent of cardstock and papyrus. I love books and I have tons of them in my house, and that's where they stay when I go on vacation. Your typical novel weighs about a pound. That can quickly add up, not to mention the actual volume they take. Do your back a favor and bring digital editions with you. It will make your real books all the sweeter when you get home to them.