Weekend Warrior Starter Kit
How to make 48-hour travel part of your lifestyle
Living for the Weekend
Majority of us are out here living for the weekend. That precious two days we get for freedom, for family, for self-care, and for taking a deep breath from the rat race of the work week. But there is a small group of us that live for that 48-hour adventure.
A Friday evening flight. Full tank of gas. A sunset somewhere new. We are Weekend Warriors. Being a Weekend Warrior isn’t about running away. It’s more about squeezing the most out of the life you already have. This starter kit is what keeps me ready for my next adventure at a moments notice.
The Mindset
To travel and get the most out of where you’re visiting, you dont need a full week or two off. All you need is a good plan to enjoy it but not such a rigid plan to stress. The key to any sort of travel is the mindset that you have an idea of what you want to see/do, but will always just go off of the vibes. That’s when the most memorable experiences happen and when your cup will feel like it’s full to the brim.
Here’s what I keep in mind every time I book something impulsive (this is typically monthly):
Money comes back. Time doesn’t.
You’ll never regret going. Only not going.
Flexibility is your superpower.
It’s hard to be spontaneous if you’re always unprepared.
The Essentials Checklist
I’m giving you a Cliff Notes version of my travel Bible. This checklist guides me to a successful trip every single time without fail. Well, except for one time…
Not too long ago, I was 3.5 hour away from home on a work trip when I found myself utterly unprepared. I got all the way to my destination to realize that I left my entire suitcase at home. Yep. Clothes, shoes, toiletries, makeup. You name it. It was not with me. A mistake I will NEVER make again. This is everything I always keep packed and ready that’s gotten me to almost 15 cities this year alone with minimal stress.
Let’s break it down
The Basics: This foundation is key to the rest and we’ll work upwards from here
Backpack of All Backpacks - It has the perfect amount of pockets and zippers, fits under the seat perfectly. If I didn’t love a good pair of knee high boots I could fit everything for the entire weekend in this bag. Underrated feature: strap on the back to slip it onto a rolling suitcase
Carry-on suitcase - Trust me on this… get a dark colored suitcase and this is where you want to splurge a little. Nothing ruins a weekend trip more than busted wheels and a dusty looking suitcase.
Cords Organizer - Having all your chargers packed and at the ready gives me the most peace of mind even though getting lost with a dead phone has me feeling 90s nostalgia on vacation.
3 in 1 Portable Charger - Fits perfectly in the cords organizer and the entire contraption is kept in the laptop compartment of the best backpack in the world (above)
Toiletries/Makeup Bag - The perfect, not bulky, fits everything you need bag that fits in the backpack.
Packing Cubes (optional) - I lowkey think packing cubes are overrated sometimes. Especially with companies selling some for $140+?! You got me messed up. I can find a flight ROUNDTRIP for $140 for 48-hours (girl math).
Clothing Staples: Don’t overcomplicate it
Neutral basics - Think Time Capsule Wardrobe. Pack things that you can easily dress up with accessories (aka small things that dont take up square footage in the bag).
Light jacket / cardigan sweater - Neutral color that could easily go with any of the neutrals that are packed.
One-pair rule - One pair of tennis shoes worn on the plane that can also be used to workout/walk around in and one pair of nicer shoes for a dinner/night out. Again, BIG BOOTS GAL.
Pro Tip - Be strategic about outfits to not stuff the carry-on full. Leaving extra room will allow for one side of the suitcase to be packed with dirty clothes and the other for clean clothes/toiletries bags for easy access once you return home on Sunday night.
Toiletry Kit - Remember the lesson I just recently learned…
Supplements (lecture incoming)
Planes, different sleep schedules, and enjoying new foods are part of the Weekend Warrior lifestyle. This doesn’t mean that I want to compromise my goals and health. PACK FOR SUCCESS. Here’s my go-tos:
Bone Broth packets - Soothes the tummy, great in the morning, and feels like a hug for a hangover (comes in chicken or beef)
Collagen packets - Mix with Bone Broth in the AM. Since we’re leaving the 7-step skincare routine at home, we need to still support the skin. These packets come out to $1.56/packet, which is the best price I’ve found for actual quality processing. Comes in a box of 30 which if you think about it gets you prepared for 10 Weekend Warrior trips.
Emergen-C: Zinc + Vitamin D - Immunity support just in case. I’d rather have it that be sorry I didn’t!
TSA-friendly skincare - Let me hold your hand when I tell you this: you’ll live without your 7-step skincare routine for two days. Travel sized cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen is really all you need. Micellar water is a good addition along with pimple patches if need be!
Refillable travel perfume - Smelling good is IMPORTANT. But you won’t catch me wearing no $5 body spray... Love putting my signature scent in these and not having to stress if TSA will throw the whole bottle away.
Comfort & Productivity - Day of packing
Headphones - Noise cancelling is necessary
Sleep mask + neck pillow combo - Optimal setup for a chance at sleep on a flight
Journal / Book / Downloaded playlists - The feeling of being productive while traveling is unmatched. I always bring something to do.
My Packing Formula
Now that you know exactly what you need to be a successful Weekend Warrior, let me tell you how to make this work*.*
Live by one rule and one rule only: the 3-bag rule. If it dont fit, it ain’t comin’. We’re aiming for efficiency here. With the items above, there are many ways to fit more than what you’d need in a weekend with a few simple hacks.
The Rolling Method will make fitting everything and then some into the carry-on. By rolling up clothes, you can not only fit more, but there will be less creases/wrinkles this way. Multiple outfits have been packed with this method.
Packing rolled clothes on the bottom of the suitcase and layering the shoes on the top will allow for a smooth zipper-closing experience and mitigate the sit-and-zip maneuver we’ve all had to do with an overfilled bag.
Utilize the pockets/compartments of the best backpack in the world. Hair brushes, deodorant, makeup bag, toiletry bag, cord organizer, books, laptops, etc. If it can fit, put it in there!
My Pre-Trip Routine
This list is very quick and very simple
[ ] Check-in + add boarding pass to Apple Wallet the day before
[ ] Pack any toiletries/makeup used day of - leave suitcase unzipped with a space for said toiletries bag to go in before zipping up
[ ] Snacks are packed in my backpack (Chomps sticks, banana, protein bar, something sweet)
[ ] Check how long it will take to get from the airport to wherever I’m staying
[ ] MOST IMPORTANTLY - Clean apartment. Make your space peaceful to come back home too after being out in the world being a warrior all weekend
And last but not least, pack a good attitude. Chaos is part of the story. “How blessed am I that I get to do this?”
In Conclusion
Here’s to Friday flights, the spontaneous trip you thought you’d be too stressed to go on, and proving that the weekend is more than enough time to feel revived.
If you have a go-to item I should add to my list, drop it in the comments. I’m always looking for a new favorite!
PS: I made something special for my annual subscribers — The Weekend Warrior Starter Kit.
It’s my first digital guide, built for people who crave travel, but still have real-life schedules.
You’ll get:
My exact weekend-packing formula
Clickable links to my go-to travel items
A mindset reset for how to travel more often (without quitting your job)
And this is just the beginning — annual subscribers will get access to exclusive downloads, future guides, and my upcoming recipe book that’s currently simmering behind the scenes.
If any of these words resonated with you, and you’d like to support me while I keep writing more of these reflections,
You can buy me a coffee here: Buy Me a Coffee🤍
OR… share it with a friend who’d get it too.