5 Summer Vacation Packing Tips for Teens and Adults with ADHD

Whether you’re a parent with ADHD in charge of packing for a family vacation, or you’re a teen packing for a camping trip with friends, there’s one undeniable truth: packing can be a struggle for individuals with ADHD.

Our multidisciplinary team knows that skills that require planning — one of the executive function skills — can be tricky, but we also know that like all skills, your planning skills can be strengthened.

In this blog, we take a look at the reasons why packing is so troublesome and what tips can make packing with ADHD so much easier.

3 Reasons Packing is Hard for Teens and Adults with ADHD

1. Packing Requires Planning

Planning is essential when it comes to packing, yet planning can be difficult for this with ADHD. Planning requires you to:

• Think about where you’re going and what specific activities you’ll be doing
• Consider any dress code requirements you’ll encounter
• Consider the weather at your destination

Even if you don’t enjoy planning, there are some steps you can take to make this part of vacationing more tolerable.

2. Packing Requires Decision-Making

Making decisions is hard for ADHD adults, and packing for a vacation is nothing more than making one decision after another.

• Should you bring one sweater or two?
• How many back-up pairs of socks do you need?
• Will the hotel have shampoo? Will that be enough?
• What if it rains? Do you really need a raincoat?
• Did I pack enough?
• What if my good blouse gets stained?
• If I bring these pants, I need to pack my other shoes, right?

Not only is this overwhelming, but too many decisions all at once can lead to decision fatigue.

3. Packing Requires Organization

It’s no secret that organization is one of the biggest struggles for adults and teens with ADHD. Lack of organization can lead to many problems, including wrinkled clothes, misplaced train tickets, and so.much.stress.

4 Travel Packing Tips to Make Packing with ADHD Easier

The good news is that these four tips can address all of the things you find so overwhelming with packing.

1. Make a list.

Before you even open your suitcase, make a list of everything you want to pack. Include a category for:

• Clothes
• Shoes
• Toiletries, such as contacts, contact solution, soap, sunscreen, etc.
• Electronic gear, including cameras, phones, tablets, and their chargers
• Snacks
• Tickets, reservation information, etc.

Need help starting a packing list? Download a Free Packing List here Download

2. Plan outfits by the day.

Clothing can be an overwhelming part of the packing process. Did you pack too much? Not enough? The wrong attire all together?

Once you print out your packing list, plan your outfits by day. It might look something like this:

Saturday

• Travel day
• Joggers, sweatshirt, sneakers

Sunday

• Brunch in the morning: black wrap dress, wedge heels, white sweater
• Scuba tour in afternoon: swimsuit, sarong, flip flops

Monday

• Hiking in the morning: green hiking shorts, REI shirt, wool socks, hiking boots, sweatband, hiking backpack, water bottle, first aid kit
• Evening wine tasting: pink sundress, wedge heels, white sweater

Once you start organizing your list this way, you’ll quickly identify if you’ve packed the right clothes for your itinerary — and if you can repeat any outfits or shoes.

3. Organize Your Suitcase

Once you’ve identified what clothes you need, pack your clothes in your suitcase. For some, using packing cubes helps organize your suitcase. Using packing cubes (or any other small pouch that holds only one day’s worth of clothes) makes it easier to search for what you need in your suitcase.

4. Pack Light

More stuff means more to keep track of, and that can be overwhelming. Within reason, packing as light as possible can reduce some of those overwhelming feelings. For example, choose a pair of shoes to pack that matches the majority of your outfits. This can help you reduce the number of shoes you bring.

Other tips to pack light:

• Bring e-books instead of physical books
• Use paperless tickets when possible

5. Start Early

Nothing adds to packing stress like waiting until the last minute. Start packing with plenty of time to spare. Write your list at least a week in advance so you have plenty of time to make sure everything you need to clean and ready. Or, if not, this gives you plenty of time to run out for last-minute supplies.

If you’re packing for something bigger than a vacation — such as a big move to college — start a few weeks in advance.

Need More Help with Planning and Organizing?

Planning and organizing are essential when you’re packing for a vacation, but that’s not the only scenario where you rely on these skills. You also need planning and organization to:

• Plan projects at work
• Organize household events, chores, and family schedules
• Organize your workload in college
• Determine order of priority for your to-do list

Comprehensive ADHD treatment, including therapy and coaching, helps you strengthen this skillset. Our multidisciplinary team can help you learn to THRIVE with tips just like this — packing tips for ADHD is just the start!

You can also request an appointment here.