Not long ago, I sat beside my granddaughter for our upcoming flight. With a sigh of personal defeat, I said, “Well, Sweetheart, I did it again. I over-packed.”
Without batting an eye, the adorable twelve-year-old looked squarely at me and said, “I over-packed, and I am proud of it.”
““I over-packed, and I am proud of it.””
With my outburst of howling laughter, I marveled. Where was this self-accepting declaration when I needed it years ago? If only.
The scene of humiliation: My innermost beings lay strewn across the tile floor of the airport lobby. The check-in agent had declared my bag overweight, and the painful drama of purging commenced.
The subsequent slinging, flinging, shoving, and stuffing provided entertainment for curious onlookers. Some passengers offered unsolicited bits of advice as they stepped around me. Others glared. A few groaned with sympathy; none were helpful. In a race against the clock, I gritted my teeth and muttered under my breath, “If I ever get out of this alive, it will NEVER happen again.”
Thankfully, that disastrous day is a distant memory. After wrestling my suitcase into submission, I managed to make that flight—and many more. Hence, after more than 50 years of travel, I confidently offer these 10 Travel-Tested Tips which hopefully, you find helpful.
1. Pray. Take charge. Don’t overthink; be decisive.
2. Start two days ahead and do your laundry first.
3. Put your suitcase in a separate room other than your bedroom. Place hanging clothes on a door rack to view your choices.
4. Pack in daylight, not at night. Begin by counting out underwear.
5. Use Eagle Creek packing cubes for categories.
6. Think simple, think solids.
7. Minimize shoes. Always take a dress.
8. Remove at least 2 items. Be realistic, but not ruthless. You do need clothes and supplies where you are going.
9. Place a versatile windbreaker and a small empty duffle in the outside pocket of your suitcase.
10. Take my advice and weigh bags at home.
Once the suitcase is zipped and loaded, you can pull up to the airport curb without a knot in your stomach. As the ticket agent smiles at you and says, “Place your luggage here on the scale,” you can confidently look her in the eye, knowing already that you made the cut. Bye-bye bag!
Living With Eternal Intentionality®
My author friend DiAnn Mills offers excellent advice in her recent post, How to Pack for the Perfect Vacation. Click this link to benefit from her experience.
Since you and I connect on multiple levels here, travel and packing are relevant topics. So, tell us,
What is your best packing tip?
