Learn how a custom Google Sheets checklist helped me stop over packing—for good. Includes a free, editable packing list template you can copy and use.

Before you go: calm the chaos

A packing list turns the mental swirl of “What if I forget something?!” into a calm, organised game plan. Instead of rechecking your bag five times, you can confidently tick a box and move on.

No more frantically Googling “pharmacy near me” on day one of your trip because you forgot toothpaste, meds, or—worse—undies. A good list saves future-you from unnecessary errands, extra purchases, and suitcase regret. Even better, packing lists make you think intentionally. If it’s not on the list, do you really need it? It helps you avoid the dreaded “I wore only three things from my overstuffed suitcase” feeling.

For longer trips, it’s especially handy for planning outfits that work together. I try to limit myself to three pairs of shoes at most, and having the list lets me mentally run through whether everything I’m packing will actually work with my shoe wardrobe.

Pro Packing Tip: if you are traveling with someone else, swap an outfit between your suitcases. If one suitcase goes missing, then you will at least have an outfit while you wair for your full suitcase to arrive.

While you travel: stay grounded

A solid list isn’t just for the beginning—it helps you stay organized on the road, too. You’re less likely to leave essentials behind in a hotel drawer or cruise cabin shelf when you know what’s supposed to go back in your bag.

It can even be your backup plan: If your luggage goes missing, you’ve got a full record of what was inside—helpful for travel insurance or filing a lost baggage report.

Pro tip: On your phone, long-press/select the dropdown cells in column B (e.g., B2:B100), then choose “Clear contents” to blank them all in one go. This will clear out all of your selections. So when you go to repack, you can start fresh

After the trip: learn and level up

Over time, your packing lists become a kind of travel journal. You can look back at what you packed for different climates, what worked, what didn’t, and refine your travel wardrobe for next time. Did you actually wear all five pairs of shoes? (No, no you did not.) Reflecting on what you actually wore or used helps shape a smarter, leaner, and more personal packing strategy—especially if you're building a go-to capsule wardrobe for travel.

Want to start making your own packing list like this one?

Get yours today, see the link below.

Using our packing list template

My packing list habit started out of necessity. I'm a bit of a nervous traveler, and for me, that used to mean overpacking: stuffing in just-in-case outfits, extra shoes I never wore, and doubling up on toiletries "just to be safe."

I knew I wanted to change that, but I wasn’t sure how. I needed something simple, customisable, and accessible whether I was at home, at work, or sitting in an airport lounge with just my phone. I wanted to know exactly what I was bringing, where it was going, and most importantly whether it had actually made it into my bag.

So, I started building a packing list in Google Sheets. And after multiple overseas and local trips, I’ve honed it down to something that is quick to use, customisable, and sooths my nervous tendencies.

What it does

This is a view-only template you can copy and customise. It’s:

🧠 Editable: Add your own items or tweak the existing categories
🎨 Color-coded: Each item’s status updates with a dropdown selection (e.g. “Packed in carry-on,” “Travel day,” “Not packed”)
📱 Mobile-friendly: Use it on your phone or laptop, wherever you're organising from
✅ Checklist-ready: When everything turns green—you’re good to go

I’ve included the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method—five tops, four bottoms and so on—with a little buffer (“+1”) you can trim if you’re feeling confident. It’s a great way to ease into more minimalist or capsule-style travel packing without diving in headfirst. But seriously, if this isn’t your jam, just add more lines to each of the categories. I know what it’s like!

If you're the type of person who starts laying things out days in advance, this spreadsheet is for you. You can also use the list to identify anything that still needs to be washed so you’re not caught off guard the night before a flight with no clean socks.

The spreadsheet in the link below is view-only so others can’t accidentally edit your list.

Click the button below to download your copy in Google Sheets.

Click here to get your copy of our packing list template

Final thoughts

Let’s be honest: ticking boxes is weirdly satisfying. It’s like real-life inventory management — and I do love making lists. So much so, that I sometimes add things just to I can tick them off. Or is that just me?

But beyond the joy of checklists, a solid packing list supports every stage of your trip. From calming the chaos before you leave, to staying organized on the road, to learning what actually works for you afterward—it’s a small step that makes a big difference.

So whether you're a chronic over packer or just want to make travel a little smoother, give the template a go. Future you will thank you.

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