Summer is prime time to go on a trip. Many people focus on what they're going to do once they get to their destination or focus on the stress of planning the trip, but most don't realize the stress of packing for the trip. Here are ten thoughts that go through your head while packing for a trip:
1. "I leave in an hour, I should start packing."
Initially when you think about packing you think you're going to put aside time to plan what to bring and pack it but then the "p word" sets in-- procrastination. Procrastination is inevitable when packing and is always something you put off last minute until you can't put it off anymore and then you're running around the house frantically throwing everything you grab into a suitcase.
2. "Do I actually need to pack this?"
You start packing sensible things like t-shirts and tooth paste, but then you end up bringing stupid irrelevant things such as that rubber ducky for that slight chance you might get to have a bubble bath in your hotel room
3. "I didn't know I have this."
In the midst of packing everything you own, you discover that one cute blouse that you haven't worn in years because it fell off your shelf and has been inhabiting the back corner of your closet ever since.
4. "Maybe I can fit one more thing."
Right when you think you have packed everything in your possession you remember your favorite sweatshirt in the dryer that you have to have so you cram it into your suitcase that is already bursting at the seams.
5. "Wow my room looks really empty now."
You look around and realize that all of your room is now in your suitcase because of your procrastination and indecisiveness.
6. "If I press down hard enough on the suitcase maybe it will zip shut."
Another inevitable of packing has occurred-- the suitcase won't shut. Well what else is there to do than jump and press on it until it zips?
7. "You know what, I'll just get a bigger suitcase."
No amount of jumping or sitting on this luggage is going to get it to close so there's only one thing to do: don't get rid of any of the clothes and find a bigger suitcase.
8. "How am I going to get this up the stairs?"
That flight of stairs at your house now looks like Mt. Everest as you make you ascent up the stairs with a suitcase that weighs as much as a car.
9. "Did I forget anything?"
The second you put your suitcase in the car you start to have doubts that you forgot something, but you know that's probably not the case since you literally packed up everything you own.
10. "How am I going to repack all of this?"
Fast-forward a couple of weeks and you've had a great, relaxing vacation and then it hits you that you're going to have to go through this cycle all over again with the dreaded repacking.
Packing can be a stressful and frustrating time, but the stuff you pack isn't as nearly as important or fun as the memories you make on your trip!
