Top Ten Packing Essentials From A Frequent Flyer/Speaker

In response to a media request I compiled a list of my top ten must pack extras when I travel.

As a professional speaker I have been traveling an average of once a week for over 30 years. So I have a pretty long list of essentials

1.      My IPhone sound machine that plays ocean waves to put me to sleep.  I take an extra cord for it and put something I need like the room key or my makeup bag near the plugged in phone so I don’t forget the cord. 

2.       But here is my most important and oddest staple, three novels. I am a voracious reader    I have a nook kindle and a surface pro.  I also travel with real books to distract me from any travel stress in airports and planes.  I don’t watch TV in hotel rooms.  

3.      A bag on pistachio nuts and walnuts and 2 avocados and a few of the Jiffy peanut butter mini travel cups so I can have lots a protein with me in case I miss a meal. (I travel with a metal spoon too.)  

4.      A pair of really warm socks to wear around the hotel room and sleep in cozy and pair to work out in.  

5.      A jogging suit to use both to work out in and just snuggle in. I have found another use as well if I pack my hot pink jogging suit I hang the jacket over the bedside table lamp at night to mute those new blue glaring florescent lights that are not conducive to sleep. The pink gives the room a calming red pinkish light that is similar to the red light waves that are more conducive to sleep. I use to travel with an old low watt bulb but it got too cumbersome. I have spent some time trying to make or find a fireproof gel light bulb cover.  

6.      A cold prevention emergency kit with homeopathic tablets, vitamins and aspirin, and ibuprofen. 

7.      An assortment of my favorite decaffeinated teas and hot chocolate that they don’t have in hotels. 

8.      An eye mask and earplugs and a potato chip bag clip to clip close the hotel curtains that never stay closed otherwise. 

9.      In addition to my regular clothes and make up I always pack a TV interview dress and  little black kami in case and an extra shirt in case I have an unexpected media interview and or an extra day on the road.  By the way I wrap each item of clothing I bring with me on hangers and put it in a separate dry-cleaning bag to prevent wrinkles and any need to use a hotel iron.  

10.  Pre-stamped thank you notes for my clients.