Let me begin with the following statement – no one likes being the one who rummages through his plastic bag at the airport security check in the morning at six. Yes, we all were there searching for our razor while standing in a long queue. A good Dopp kit will come to the rescue helping you cope with all the difficulties of business travel and making your mornings easier.
To start with, you need a bag which will be strong enough to withstand all the rigors of your business trips. That zipped pouch that you take each time you check into a hotel will not suit you. Maybe it’s high time to buy yourself a Filson Dryden Briefcase or some waxed canvas bag by Herschel. It needs to be both durable to withstand all the tough conditions in the overhead bin and to look professional when you unpack it.
But now comes the question of what to pack into your Dopp kit. First of all, think of what you need during your travels. Start with an electric toothbrush; it will be helpful in dealing with the morning routine. Take with you a travel size of CeraVe moisturizer; your skin will need it in the dry conditions of your hotel environment. Think also of travel atomizers for your deodorant and cologne.
The final touch here is to buy a separate Dopp kit which will stay with your luggage and will not be unpacked each time you make a business trip. Just take your Dopp kit with your bag and know for sure that everything is in its place from the previous trip. Packing will become much easier since everything will already be packed for you.
On the other hand, preparing such a kit proves that you respect yourself and your job and are serious enough about them. Moreover, there is always this terrible feeling when you realize that you forgot to take your charger with you from the hotel room. Yes, it’s a very unpleasant feeling, but it’s totally avoidable with some advance preparation.
Therefore, stop taking your travel items so lightly and invest some effort into it. Get yourself a reliable bag, buy quality things to put in it and always have your kit ready to go. Your future self who will need to wash his face in the middle of the night in your hotel bathroom will thank you. I promise!