Packing is an inherited trait
If there was a title for “worst packer in the world” I would be the reigning champion. I somehow always manage to (generously) overpack while somehow simultaneously forgetting to bring very specific and important items that I need. I like to think that this is an inherited, genetic trait that I clearly got passed to from my mother. Growing up, my family and I were far from frequent fliers, but I remember taking a trip to Disney World when I was about 12 and physically running through the airport in my socks with one hand holding onto my shoes and the other hand being tugged by my mother who was absolutely convinced, we were going to miss our flight.
Flash forward several years and I’ve grown accustomed to road trips where I have the space of an entire car to pile everything in. I like to have all the options I can – because what outfit I wear is normally dependent on my mood. But next week I’m going on my family vacation and for the first time ever I am flying! And while I am so excited to miss out on the 12+ hour drive to Myrtle Beach, I’ve been anxious about how I’d manage to pack an entire week’s work of clothing into a carry-on bag.
When we vacation, we’re beach bums
When we go on vacation we like to relax – so much so that I can wrap up our daily routine like this: wake up, walk on the beach, eat breakfast on the patio, lay on the beach all day, shower, eat dinner, drinks by the fire – REPEAT. What’s great about this laid-back approach is that it doesn’t require many different outfits. Each year I tell myself that next wear I’m only packing bathing suits and sundresses – and this is the year I’ll finally be forced to listen. I threw my bag on my bed and simply dumped all the swimsuits I had in there along with about 80% of the sundresses I own. Throw in a couple tank tops and running shorts and all that’s left is the toiletries! I packed in less than 30 minutes and have no doubt that this bag is safe from being pulled by TSA for weight restrictions. However, there is still this twinge of anxiety over packing so little. I just hate the feeling that I’m going to wish I had packed something that I didn’t. But what’s so great about having three sisters is that we’re all generally the same height and size, so I really have all of their closets to shop in.
Misc. Vacation Necessities
Along with the swimsuits and clothes, I packed some other necessities for a beach vacation. My favorite pair of polarized sunglasses, my book (I’m currently re-reading A Court of Thorns and Roses), my favorite camo baseball hat to keep the sun out of my eyes, and this little beach bag I’ve had for over 10 years that has a refrigerated pocket to keep drinks and snacks cold. I am so excited for some rest and relaxation!
