Travel is one of those things that can be thrilling, exhausting, frustrating, and enlightening all at once.
The way we approach planning and packing can make the difference between a seamless adventure and a stress-fueled disaster.
Over the years, I’ve developed a set of mental models that help take the chaos out of travel—whether for work, leisure, or a bit of both.

Here are the most useful mental models I rely on when preparing for a trip.

1. The Inversion Principle: Pack for the Worst, Plan for the Best

The Inversion Principle comes from the idea of thinking backward: instead of asking, “What do I need?”, ask
“What will ruin this trip if I don’t have it?”

• Weather disasters – Do you have the right clothing for unexpected rain or temperature drops?
• Tech failures – What’s your backup plan if your phone dies or your charger fails?
• Health issues – Are you prepared for illness, minor injuries, or allergies?

For planning, inversion means preparing for mishaps while assuming that things will mostly go well.
I always have a rough itinerary but leave space for spontaneity.

2. The Pareto Packing Rule: 80% of What You Pack Won’t Matter

The Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule) states that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. In travel, this means:

• 80% of the time, you’ll wear the same 20% of your clothes.
• 80% of your tech gear won’t see much use.
• 80% of the stress comes from overpacking.

3. The MVP (Minimum Viable Packing) Approach

Inspired by the startup world’s concept of a Minimum Viable Product, this model asks: “What’s the absolute minimum I need for this trip to work?”

4. The Rule of Three: Simplifying Decisions

When faced with too many choices, the Rule of Three keeps decision-making simple. Apply it to:

• Clothing – Three tops, three bottoms, three pairs of socks/underwear.
• Shoes – One for walking, one for casual/dress, and one for special activities.
• Daily Carry Items – If it doesn’t fit in your three most-used pockets or compartments, rethink bringing it.

5. The Anti-Fragile Itinerary: Build in Buffer Time

Nassim Taleb’s concept of antifragility (things that gain from disorder) applies to travel.

6. The “Two-Week” Packing Test

A great test for overpacking is to ask: “If I had to live out of this bag for two weeks, would it work?”

7. The “Buy It There” Mindset

Instead of cramming my bag with “what-ifs,” I ask: “If I forget this, can I replace it easily?” If yes, I leave it behind.

Wrapping Up: Travel Lighter, Plan Smarter

The best travel experiences come when you aren’t burdened by too much stuff or too rigid a schedule.
Next time you’re packing for a trip, try applying one or two of these models. You might find yourself traveling lighter,
planning smarter, and enjoying the experience more.

What are your go-to mental models for travel? Drop a comment on Twitter or Mastodon (@lbhuston)—I’d love to hear them!

 

 

* AI tools were used as a research assistant for this content.