Anyway.
You've booked your ticket. You've borrowed a suitcase from your grandparents or some other vaguely distant relation, because, let's be honest - there's no way you're shelling out more money for a bag with wheels. How important can it be? (Side note: two weeks in and you've regretted this decision; it turns out having plenty of space and wheels which actually roll are essentials to suitcases.) You've given notice at your job. You've posted a slightly-pretentious-but-excited-nonetheless status on Facebook detailing how many days until you leave. What could possibly be next on your to do list?
Packing, of course!
Stepping away from the hypotheticals and into personal reality, packing is honestly one of my favourite parts of travelling - apart from, you know, actually travelling. The knowledge that I can fit my whole life into a bag for weeks (or months, if you're adventurous) at a time fascinates me. Here is a vague outline of what my luggage schedule currently looks like:
Step 1: Excitement! I'm going on holiday! At least a month beforehand you can find me planning, writing copious lists, trawling through Pinterest, and full of good intentions. This trip, I intended to pack enough for five months in to just a single carry-on hand luggage. Fired up by all of my research, I'm convinced of success. I'll out-pack every single person on the flight!
Step 2: Reality sinks in a little. After a week or two of thinking "Can I survive five months without this?" every time I pick up an everyday item, I relent a little. I tell myself, "You can check in a bag, but it's still going to be tiny!" I do more research. I reassure myself with more Pinterest and blog posts that not everyone can fit their life into a backpack! I am not alone!
Step 3: Reality sinks in a lot. I realise, after half packing some things, that I have a chronic case of the "what if's?". Example: Germany, middle of winter, and I brought sunscreen...needless to say, I never used the sunscreen. This is the point when I give in to reality and accept the fact that I am taking a full-sized suitcase. I am relieved, and happily employ myself in my free time by stuffing away until every nook and cranny is filled, all the while telling myself that I'll post back anything I don't need. (Spoliers: I won't.)
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| Zadar, Croatia, at sunset |
So, my dear reader, all sarcasm aside, here are some vital DOs and DON'Ts when it comes to packing:
DO: write a list of everything you plan to bring! Even if you don't follow it religiously, some form of checklist, or even mind map of everything you need will really help you stay focused; or, heaven forbid, for insurance purposes if your bag is lost or stolen.
DON'T: assume the place you're travelling to is a barren wasteland! Unless you're going on an honest-to-goodness bushwhacking adventure in the middle of nowhere (in which case, this post probably won't help much), remember: the inhabitants of this town have survived for many, many years without your favourite brand of soap - you will always, always be able to find either your favourite item or a similar substitute if you forget to pack something! Not to mention, you're much more inventive in a crisis than you realise; for example, I've discovered that in a pinch, shampoo makes a great body wash and clothes washing substitute.
DO: weigh your bag before you get to the airport! Also check your airline's policy for carry-on bags. While some big airlines are fine for you to have a carry on plus an extra handbag, many smaller airlines are very strict on weights and quantities. If you don't have a fancy portable luggage scale like this one, then simply weigh yourself on regular bathroom scales, pick up your bag and weigh yourself again, then take your original wight away from the total mass.
DON'T: underestimate the power of sentimentality! Chances are, you're travelling to the other side of the planet. If this is the case, you may be surprised at how much you sometimes just want to go home! This is normal - even though you may be surrounded by the ruins of the Coliseum, or staring at the Mona Lisa, there's a little part of your mind that is homesick. If you can sacrifice a couple of t-shirts in order to stuff away your favourite book, or a hard copy of a photo of your family to keep next to your bed, you'll really appreciate it later on.
Let me know some of your favourite packing tips a tricks! I'd love to know what I'm missing out on. Happy travels, all!
Kenz xx
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