Hello, My Name is Candice and I’m an Over Packer

I’m a chronic over‐packer. Anyone who knows me, or who has ever traveled with me, knows this. Just this past weekend on a quick trip up to the lake, I packed a carry-on rollaboard AND a weekender bag. For two nights!

My usual packing procedure is to walk through my closet and grab any clothing and shoes that are weather appropriate for my destination, with no real rhyme or reason behind it. As you can imagine, I end up with a heap of clothes on my bed, most of which I will NEVER wear while traveling. That, however, does not prevent me from taking most of them with me along on my journeys.

I have a certain paranoia that I will get to my destination and realize I have forgotten THOSE shoes or THAT handbag, and that would drive me absolutely insane. In my endless compulsion to pack every sundress I’ve ever owned, I usually overlook a few minor items like a toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, etc. All can be purchased anywhere, I know, but it’s not so fun waking up on an overnight flight realizing you have nothing to brush your teeth with. Yuck!

Another negative to the whole over packing thing is the obvious weight of the luggage. Now with all the new restrictions, it can be a very costly problem!

Heavy bags are also physically exhausting. In Germany a couple of years ago, I had to lug my heavy bag (dubbed “big mama”) on and off trains, through crowded city streets, and down cobblestone roads. All that equals No Fun At All.

I am not without my moments of glory. On a recent trip to Los Angeles, I managed an entire weekend with just an overnight bag! And on a five-day trip to Paris last year, I didn’t even have to check my luggage. This may not seem newsworthy to you more economical packers, but to a girl like me who loves her shoes, this was HUGE!

So, I might be able to overcome my chronic over packing. Do you have the same affliction? Let us know what you can’t just say “no” to when filling your suitcase.

And stay tuned for next week’s post when packing ace Audra shares her tips.

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