Traveling anywhere always involves packing of some sort, whether you're going on vacation, to study abroad, or visiting home, you have to bring stuff with you. With that said, there are three types of packers: travels lightly, just enough, or the overpacker. As you can probably tell by the headline, I fall into the overpacker category, much to my mother's dismay.
As a child, my siblings and I were always required to lay out each of the outfits we planned to bring with us when we traveled anywhere so they could get approved by our mom. Just like her personality, my sister always had just the right amount, never warranting an item (or five) to be removed from her neat pile; my brother also never caused any issues. But me on the other hand, I was the child who needed EVERYTHING. We're going to South Carolina where it's going to be at least 90 degrees everyday, I still need at least 3 sweaters in the event a cold spell strikes while we're there for 10 days. You never know, right?? Who knows what sweater I'm going to be in the mood to wear when we get there. I need options people. Of course words were exchanged in an attempt to keep some of the excessive items I packed, however I was often on the losing side of things.
Time progressed, as it does, and I quickly found myself responsible for packing my own things without revision and obviously I went nuts. Gone were the days where I threw pre-planned outfits on my bed. Time to raid the closet and stuff as much clothing (and other items) into my suitcase as possible. Yes, I always wore less than half of what I brought, as I knew would happen but I needed that sense of security so I never left the house feeling that I forgot something.
I find myself here tonight, on January 1, 2017, trying to figure out ways to stuff all my crap I brought home with me for the two and a half weeks I would be home plus things I bought, into a suitcase in a backpack to depart on a plane tomorrow morning.. My parents drove me home from school so of course that was an open invitation to bring back whatever my heart desired. I can figure out the transportation of all my crap later right? Well folks, it is now later and I already spent $30 on shipping boxes of unused clothing back to school (it's okay though because my mom washed it all and it smells like home). My suitcase will not close without me sitting on it. My mom knew that was going to happen and threatened to break out the video camera just to prove she was right (total mom move). Yes, I have overpacked before but I think this is a new record, I've never had to do that before!!
So while my mom continues to roll her eyes, as I am a known chronic overpacker, I can't help but smile. At the end of the day, you never know if the snow will clear away and it'll magically be 70 degrees in the middle of winter. Because hey, I live in Buffalo after all. Who knows what the weather will bring. So call it overpacking and impractical. I call it being smart and prepared for any circumstances.
