My garage houses a smorgasbord of luggage—large bags that, once filled, flirt with the 50-pound limit, smaller luggage that can go aboard with me, a wheeled laptop-plus-other-stuff case, a wheeled backpack, two backpacks sans wheels that have to be carried as (more’s the pity) actual backpacks, duffel bags, gym bags, shoulder bags . . . The array is quite distressing. The truth is I hate to pack, and I suppose on some subliminal level I’ve believed it would be easier if I could just find the perfect bag. Now I know, however, it’s not the bag that’s the problem; it’s the decision-making involved in the packing process. What to take? What to leave? Too much thinking.
And now I’ve complicated my life by deciding to “travel light.” You know what I mean. Surely you’ve seen those videos where someone demonstrates how to pack for a round-the-world gig in a backpack. I don’t aspire to such overachievement, but I would like to travel with something smaller than a steamer trunk.
Hence, my resolve. We’ll see how it goes. Meanwhile, I’ve discovered a helpful tip or two. Have you ever noticed that your suitcase is fuller when you pack to go home than when you left? For some people that might be the result of too much shopping, but I’m not a shopper and my dilemma turns out to be caused by delusional thinking. I used to think just tossing in the dirty clothes at the end of a trip not only simplified the packing, but would result in saving space as well. Not so. But who wants to fold dirty clothes?
Here’s a nifty trick. Take a few gallon-size zip-lock bags. Stuff them with dirty clothes, squish the air out, zip them closed and—voila!—toss them in. You’ll be surprised at how much space you’ll save. (And no need to buy those expensive “space saver” travel bags either.)
Happy packing!
And now I’ve complicated my life by deciding to “travel light.” You know what I mean. Surely you’ve seen those videos where someone demonstrates how to pack for a round-the-world gig in a backpack. I don’t aspire to such overachievement, but I would like to travel with something smaller than a steamer trunk.
Hence, my resolve. We’ll see how it goes. Meanwhile, I’ve discovered a helpful tip or two. Have you ever noticed that your suitcase is fuller when you pack to go home than when you left? For some people that might be the result of too much shopping, but I’m not a shopper and my dilemma turns out to be caused by delusional thinking. I used to think just tossing in the dirty clothes at the end of a trip not only simplified the packing, but would result in saving space as well. Not so. But who wants to fold dirty clothes?
Here’s a nifty trick. Take a few gallon-size zip-lock bags. Stuff them with dirty clothes, squish the air out, zip them closed and—voila!—toss them in. You’ll be surprised at how much space you’ll save. (And no need to buy those expensive “space saver” travel bags either.)
Happy packing!
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