How I Finally Stopped Forgetting Things When Packing
After years of scrambling before every trip, I built an ADHD-friendly Notion system that actually helps me remember everything — without the chaos.
Every time I traveled, I told myself I’d pack early — and every time, I didn’t.
I’d wait until the last minute, scrambling around the house with a half-formed mental list and a growing sense of panic.
I knew what I needed to bring… or at least, I thought I did — until I got to my destination and realized I’d forgotten something essential.
It was never the big stuff.
It was the charger, the toothbrush, the medication, or some new “must-have” item that hadn’t made it onto my old list yet.
The Problem With Every Packing List I Tried
For years, I’ve been iterating on different systems — checkboxes, databases, apps, spreadsheets — and none of them stuck.
They all had too many steps, too many buttons, and too many ways to get it wrong.
Sometimes “packed” meant not packed yet.
Sometimes I’d check something off and forget what that checkmark even meant.
And depending on my mood or focus that day, it could all feel like too much.
So I’d stop using it — and the cycle would repeat itself.
The System That Finally Worked
After three years of tweaking, this Notion template is where I finally landed.
It’s designed to keep the process simple and forgiving:
- One board.
- Clear stages.
- Zero mental gymnastics.
You add all your items once in All Items View, then walk through each phase:
- Plan what you’ll bring.
- Tap Need to Pack to mark items you want to take.
- Works great on mobile — no awkward drag-and-drop.
- Pack as you go.
- In Packing View, hit Pack and watch it move to your Destination Bag.
- That small progress hit keeps you going.
- Repack to come home.
- Use Coming Home View and the Repack button to make sure nothing’s left behind.
No confusion. No redundant checkboxes. Just a flow that matches how your brain naturally moves through tasks.
Why It Works (Especially If You Have ADHD)
- You always know what stage you’re in.
- Every button has one clear purpose.
- You don’t have to overthink what “packed” means.
- You get visual progress that feels rewarding instead of draining.
It turns a stressful task into a calm, guided process that actually works — no matter what your focus or energy looks like that day.
Try It Yourself
If you’ve ever found yourself pacing before a trip, wondering what you’ve forgotten — this might help more than you expect.
Get the Template on Etsy →Made by NewLad Creations — simple systems for complicated brains.