#over-packing

Packing 101: When to start?

You have selected your destination and your date of travel. You’ve booked your travel and lodging, but you are still months away from your trip and you feel it might be too early to pack…but is it?

The short answer is “never”.

The long answer is more of a “well, it depends”.

Personally, I employ a 3×4 rule.

Three months before travel

Check average temperatures for your dates of travel and…

YBW and I leave early Wednesday morning for our trip. I have taken my sweet time to get ready. I’m stressed about the packing organization and prep more than I knew. I’ve been clenching my teeth for about a week now. The discomfort it causes is actually severe, but it took me until Saturday to realize what I was doing. So I’m paying much more attention to my body right now. When I find myself…

road trip baggage and snacks

Hi, my name is Robyn and I’m an over-packer. Hi Robyn.

It is what it is, y’all.

I’m in Charleston for the next five days. Spending time with Sally and her fam and my beloved Jessica. I don’t need this much stuff. As I was pulling things out and laying them on my bed in preparation to pack I was aware that there was more than I needed. It’s just my thing. (one of my many ‘things’) I over pack. I…

The 333 Project/Challenge states that a person will use 33 items of clothing for 3 months.  This, theoretically, includes shoes but leaves out workout clothes, pajamas, lounge clothes, and underwear.  

 Nearly every summer, I travel across the country to stay for three months.  Usually I’m known for grossly over-packing.  This summer, I was sure, would be no different.  However, inside of that three month window, I was also taking a trip for one month to another country.  During that trip, everything that I had to carry would fit into two suitcases.

 During this one month trip, I would need clothes ranging from summer to winter clothes.  During the rest of the three month period, I would need clothes for the summer.  During neither period would I be working, but I would need attire that was suitable for at least one interview and a few nice outings.

 I challenged myself to pack (mostly) within those two suitcases for the three month trip and I was (mostly) successful.

 When I arrived at my destination, though, I asked myself if I had actually managed to make the 33 item challenge.  The answer, in short, was that I hadn’t.  I had come with (about) 83 items.  It’s a far cry from 33, and it doesn’t even include the concept of “work clothes”. Still, it’s far less than I usually travel with.  

 I’m going to revisit this at the end of the summer and let you all know how I did during the summer. I’m going to let you know what I actually ended up using out of the 83 items.  For now, here’s a list of what was included in those items that I ended up packing for the three month trip.  Bear in mind that I have a number of “not great” t-shirts already in storage at the location, so I can wear them as well.

 - underwear, socks, bras (random amount)

- 18 t-shirts (standard)

- 9 small shirts/undershirts for layering

- 4 pajama pants

- 1 small pajama set

- 7 tank tops/undershirts

-2 leggings

-4 shorts

-3 workout shorts

-3 workout/lounge pants/capris

-4 jeans

-2 khaki/green pants

-4 yoga/sweat pants

-2 long sleeve shirts

-5 sweatshirts

-10 dress tops

-4 dresses

-1 dress sweater

 This does not include shoes because I didn’t even attempt to count the shoes.  Suffice it to say that the medium sized suitcase I brought was packed with shoes and shoes alone.  There’s no need to even pretend that I’m trying to limit/monitor my shoe usage right now.

 At any rate, you have an idea of what I packed for a three month trip.  I’ll revisit, at the end of the trip, to let you know what I actually used out of that pile.  That’ll give me (and maybe you) an idea of what the difference is between what I *think* I need and what I actually need.

How to Avoid Over-packing #travel #tips

Do you really need all of that luggage for this trip? Image: Jeanette via Flickr CC

You are about to embark on a trip and you hear those four dreaded words: “Your bag is overweight.” We have all packed a bit too much for vacation before. The bottom line is that over-packing can be a serious burden on your trip. It makes it difficult to find things, it can be no fun to lug your bag around and you…