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It takes me about 10 minutes. I travel a lot and always have a separate bag of toiletries ready to go. All I bring on most trips is is extra underwear/socks, a spare shirt, sleep wear, work out gear and a swim suit.
I have a small tote bag which hangs on a hook in my closet. When getting ready for a longer trip I begin dropping in items that I don't want to forget as much as a month beforehand.
When it comes to actually packing, it typically takes an hour or less to lay out the clothes, make sure I have what I will need, often put a few things back in the closet and pack my bag.
I find if I pack in advance, I forget what I've put in my suitcase and have to unpack to check. So now I just pack the night before after all laundry has been done. It might take a couple of hours if you include both of my kids and getting the bags out of storage, etc.
If it's a road trip I start packing a few hours before departure, if it's a plane trip overseas then the evening before. I see no point in drawing it out into a big theatrical production. Too much planning and preparing just makes me more worried I'll forget something. If I can think of what I need to make a list the week before, I can think of what I need as I pack it.
I love packing. For me it adds to the excitement of the upcoming trip. Six months in advance I start making a list of what to pack; this includes items I may need two buy. When down to one month I start laying out the items on the bed in the guest room to get a good visual on what tops go with what bottoms. Then I eliminate what is not essential. Everything goes into the suitcase (or the carry-on if taking only that) one week before departure date. Can't leave the suitcase sitting open on the bed because my cat will take up residence there!
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