Packing for the holidays
IF you are still contemplating a motoring holiday or are about to head for the ferry port, read on.
Teaming up with Europe’s first certified KonMari Consultant, Aline Lau, SEAT has produced a handy set of tips for families preparing for their annual summer holiday, using the manufacturer’s compact SUV, the Arona, but can be applied to almost any car.
The KonMari MethodTM – an organisational technique developed by consultant and author Marie Kondo – follows simple rules that focus on de-cluttering and keeping only items that ‘spark joy’. The mindset has been used to help families pack the car for the holidays.
By de-cluttering items that don’t ‘spark joy’, ordering remaining items into categories and using assorted space-saving techniques, the Japanese discipline means that families can fit everything they need – from children’s toys to sports equipment – into even a modest-sized vehicle.
Three KonMari Method tips for packing the car this August
• De-clutter – Remove any item that you could actually do without – be ruthless with yourself and keep only items that make you happy
• Pack smart – Fold and roll clothing to save space in suitcases and put loose items into boxes before loading into the boot
• Categorise – Put your essentials within reach in the car and maximise boot space by packing cases vertically
Lau said: ‘Life in general is very cluttered in the modern world. We constantly have to go through a de-cluttering process in order to keep a peaceful mind.
‘Many people now adopt Marie Kondo’s mindset in their homes but this is the first time we have used it to pack a car. We will automatically try to take too much with us on vacation but, by separating each item and categorising what we really need, we can be more efficient instead of trying to take everything from our lives with us on holiday.”
SEAT Passive Safety Engineer Javier Delgado advises that the heaviest suitcases should always go at the bottom and as far back as possible in the boot:’If we don’t place things correctly or securely, a slam on the brakes or a sudden manoeuvre could cause them to shift or fly forward and jeopardise safety. When driving at 62mph, if we brake suddenly, a package weighing 30kg turns into a 90kg projectile, multiplying its weight by three.’
For more information on Aline Lau and her organising consultancy company, go to www.tokimekie.com