Now that it is summer, the only thing that we have to concentrate on is packing for our travels. I know that not everyone travels, but everyone has to pack something at some point. We all know the struggle of packing: deciding what to pack, how to pack it, and where to pack it. There is nothing more painful than having to pack and not wanting to do it because you are indecisive and need many options. Also, having to pack all your favorite clothes in just one bag is impossible because you never know if you are actually going to wear it. So, this is a list of the thoughts I have while I am packing:
1. I don't know what I need
It does not matter if I know where I am going, I never know what I want to pack. If I am going to the beach I know I need bathing suits, but the rest is a mystery. Choosing what I need to wear for the next couple of days is hard because what I want to wear depends on my mood and I cannot predict how my mood is going to be.
2. How many (shirts, shorts, shoes...) do I need?
Quantity is a very difficult thing to figure out. If I am traveling for a week I tend to pack clothes for two weeks (you never know if you will need to change multiple times a day... you know like a movie star...). Also, how am I supposed to know if I will not change my mind and hate everything that I brought to my trip?
3. Why do I have so much shit?
Of course, after you chose everything that you thought was necessary you realize that you have way too many clothes. After you calculate, you left stuff out, and decided that what you had was enough you are definitely not done. You still have to go through all your clothes AGAIN and decide if you are really going to wear that pretty shirt that think you will wear that special night. And the cycle begins again, you basically have to redo the whole bag.
4. I will bring this just in case
After you went through all the clothes you packed, you find yourself going through the stuff that you were "sure" you were not going to use. Of course, you saw a couple of shirts that you are "TOTALLY" going to wear and you decide to pack them just in case. The just in case clothes are the ones that always appear because you need to be ready just in case something special happens during your trip and you need to be prepared. This is a risky move, don't overpack.
5. Am I forgetting something?
After you packed everything and you are ready to close the bag you need to do a checklist just in case you are forgetting something important. So you go through the basic things that you need to have (clothes, underwear, toiletries, shoes...) and with each one of them you freak out because you cannot remember if you already packed it. Of course you are not going to undo the bag so you decide to trust yourself and wing it.
I know this are not all the thoughts we have, but I think that gives you the general picture of what a pain it is to pack. So, if you do not have to study anymore start thinking about the outfits you are going to rock during the summer!
