Packing for Trips, or...the hell before the glory

Thursday, February 24. 2005

Packing for Trips, or...the hell before the glory

Let me ask you something. When you have to pack for a trip, do you:

1. Wait till the night before and throw a bunch of things in your suitcase, without flinching?

2. Wait till 2 hours before departing, take a Xanax, scream at your spouse and kids, while wildly packing up 3 more suitcases than you really need?

3. A few days before leaving, write a list of all the things you need to do, pack, prepare, etc...then still find yourself freaking over all the decisions needed to prepare for a lousy trip, whether it's for 2 days or 20?

If you answered #3, you have joined my Packing, Panicking and Paralyzed Club. I mean really, now- do I truly need 8 t-shirts, 6 shorts and 4 pairs of shoes in Florida, knowing that in the past, I've worn the basics- 2-3 tshirts and 2 pairs of shorts? Do I EVER wear those nice slacks I bring every year? No. Do I wear all that makeup I bring? No.

Then why do I torture myself?

I think it's that paralysis of indecision that gets me every time. I see all the options and instead of choosing a few, choose them all! So like all the years of packing for Florida, I again have over-packed.

Now I thought I had improved somewhat, in that THIS time, I planned things out 3 days in advance. There are plusses and minuses to that strategy. The plus side is that I don't obsess the morning of the flight over what I need to pack. By Day 3, I'm nearly done (yes, it does take me 3 days to pack). The down side to this- and this is a true stroy; I'm sure many will relate- if I pack too soon before a trip, I've forgotten what I've packed.

This means, I have to UNPACK to see what I have and don't have. So gee, how does planning things out early really help matters? Yes, I've written my list and checked things off, but there is still that gnawing question- did I pack the socks or not?

Well, the packing is done. I'm here in Florida and all is well.

Wait...where are my sunglasses? My cell phone charger....

Back to the drawing board.

Till next time,

Terry

Posted by Terry at 00:10 | Comment (1) | Trackbacks (0)

Trackbacks

Trackback specific URI for this entry

No Trackbacks

Comments

Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

Here we go again.
I have no idea what [top level] means.
But I want to say that this tues feb 15 entry is outstanding.
I fine the "obvious solution" to be somewhat an oxymoron.
That is....3 days.....plus a LIST of contents.
Why is that problematic.
Because that list added to lists of what is in cabinets, refrigerator, freezer, closets. drawers become too overwhelming
to me useful.....or, incase of fridge, too out of date with the least fall into procrastination. Plus the lucicrous thought which never dies..."I'll remember what is in here.", compromises success.
I haven't a clue what the two boxes below mean to I am
just going to try to Submit Comment.

#1 barbara on 2005-02-28 06:26 (Reply)

Add Comment

Name
Email
Homepage
In reply to
Comment	Enclosing asterisks marks text as bold (word), underscore are made via _word_. Standard emoticons like :-) and ;-) are converted to images. To prevent automated Bots from commentspamming, please enter the string you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly. Enter the string from the spam-prevention image above: Standard emoticons like :-) and ;-) are converted to images. Enclosing asterisks marks text as bold (word), underscore are made via _word_.
	Remember Information? Subscribe to this entry