Friday, February 11, 2011

I'm Still A Rotten Packer

I am going on a trip for a few days tomorrow and I still haven't packed. I'm a rotten packer and I don't like to pack, so I am procrastinating by writing a blog post. I'm actually not even writing a post, I'm sort of re-writing a post I did a couple of years ago when I was putting off packing to go somewhere.




Packing is a talent that I seemed to have missed out on. I love to travel, but the packing part is not fun for me. Most mornings I have a hard time deciding what I want to wear that day....how do I decide what I want to wear for the next week? When you add shoes, maybe some jewelry and whatever else needs to go into the suitcase, I'm a mess.

What almost always happens is that I pack way too much. I start out with a pretty good plan, but somewhere in the execution the plan goes awry. I become a ditherer. I can't decide between two things, so I take them both. I like to have choices.

I know that no one will care or even notice which pair of black shoes I take, but I still spend way too much time trying to decide and then end up taking them both, and probably another pair just in case.

I'd better quit lollygagging and at least go think about maybe starting to pack. Then I should probably work out a little so I can lift my suitcase.

Well, maybe I'll just read a few blogs first.

18 comments:

  1. I have great angst about what to pack also. I once decided (well, hubby was pleading) not to pack so much one time. When we got to our destination, I did not have enough clothes or shoes! I was so upset. So, now I over-pack (I don't care what he says) and I'm happy.
    I have learned to roll my clothes instead of folding them. They don't get so wrinkled that way.

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  2. Oh I hear you!! I am in the same boat! I am figuring out what to take and I don't leave for three more days!! My husband can pack an hour before we leave!!! I always bring too much. We gotta google simple packing and take notes.

    Looking forward to seeing you!

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  3. I have a packing list that I've updated with each trip. I just check my list and pack what's on it. As for clothes, I try to bring clothes that will all match. I have a lot of black, purple and blues that I can interchange or layer. As for jewelry, I keep it simple and sparse. Keeping a list is what keeps me sane so I don't go crazy worrying about forgetting something. I also try to keep a list of what I brought in case they lose our bags (which the airlines have done on occasion). Oh, I also take a photo of the suitcases, because they asked us to describe our suitcases in the Netherlands when they misplaced our bags there, too.

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  4. You just described how I pack too. I always bring WAY too much stuff! When hubby and I go on a long weekend trip, I always have a big suitcase and he has a small bag. :)
    I need to have choices too, and I¨ve given up trying to decide beforehand. I just take it all. hahaha

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  5. For me, packing is done with one thought in mind: the destination. I picture myself there and what I will be doing and set things next to the suitcase as I think of what I will be doing. Then I look through the everything and see how I can make things work together so it looks like it is a different outfit and eliminate what I can by doing that. Then I put it all in the suitcase and close it and tell myself to stop thinking about it. And go and have fun. So that is what I wish for you, go and have fun.

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  6. I am a list maker and have a list of things to take so I can usually pack quickly (but I am not fond of traveling). My hubby, on the other hand, starts packing at least a week ahead - leaving the suitcase open on the floor, putting things in, taking them out, gathering items, adding lots of stuff at the last minute, grabbing things on the way out of the door. And we have never gone anywhere where he didn't leave something really important behind - like pants, underwear. I do forget things sometimes but it is usually my magazine or a crochet hook. I guess there are packers and non packers.

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  7. If it fits in the bag...take it! I'm a procrastinator (duh), too and wait as long as I can. I also roll things. Also, I usually forget something, not important, but necessary! Enjoy your time away!

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  8. Gee girl, I wish I was there to help. Not to brag or anything I'm an amazin' packer. I can get more into a dishwasher than imagined too. I'm just talented that way! Heeehehehe!

    Have a marvelous trip sweetie and blessed weekend!!! :o)

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  9. You could just stick a platinum visa in your pocket and buy and discard stuff all along the way.

    Now THAT would be some easy packing for sure!

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  10. Have a great trip...
    I am so with you... I pack way to much stuff...it is ridiculous and it is a pain to lug around and the worst is unpacking it all.

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  11. Have a great time on your trip. Be careful packing too much if you are flying. I used to be a pretty good packer back when we went places. Now if we go anywhere I end up forgetting half of what I need.

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  12. I always pack way too much, just so I have options. (Including too many shoes ... and I'm not even a shoe person.)

    Enjoy your trip. Have a wonderful time!

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  13. I fear I am an OVER packer. When I travel by myself I just suck it up and say, "You packed it, live with it." But when I travel with Rick I not only get my own self abuse but his about over packing! That said, I always have what I need!

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  14. Too funny. I find it easier to pack when it's a tropical vacation. Not much is required, and I love that.

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  15. I love to travel but I hate to pack! I always take too much.

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  16. I am not a good packer either. My hubs is an excellent packer and cannot understand how I can travel so much yet still not have a simple system for packing. I always always bring too much. And shoes are a problem. Just sayin' Hope you had a nice trip!

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  17. The things that save me are 1)my suitcase isn't big, 2)I own about six clothes, period, but MOST important 3) the knowledge that the decision of what to wear will be WAY easier when I'm on vacation inspires me to edit more. Hope you are having or had a great trip.

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