There’s something about packing that really turns me off. I guess I’m not a fan of organising a part of my life into one bag while still needing to be prepared for a rainy day/sunny day/surprise weather day.
I’m also a terrible procrastinator who will leave packing till the last minute and stress myself out with all the small tidbits I know I’ve forgotten about.
So packing for my 5 week trip around Europe into just a carry on (The Osprey Fairview) was a task I was not prepared to accept. It also meant that I would be leaving for real this time 🙁 I also needed to consider how I would transport my big bulky items to the Netherlands as well. And I’m so glad I found a box from OfficeWorks and a company that sends your belongings to your destination quickly and within a reasonable price (check out Sendmybag.com)
And now, if you need tips on how to get over packing fears too, keep reading to hear how I eventually did the impossible!
- To get over my initial procrastination over packing, I made a start on a list of things I would need to bring on a google spreadsheet
- Items were grouped together into categories such as clothes (tops), clothes (bottoms), swimwear, toiletries, essentials etc.
- Categories were broken into sub categories where necessary and then specific items were listed to make it easier for me to see what I was bringing e.g. striped crop, black bikini, denim shorts
- I had to be strategic about what to pack so it could all fit into my pack. No item doubled up in terms of style – so I only brought one shirt, one long sleeve, one sleeveless top etc. and I made sure they all matched with the bottoms
- Once an item was packed, I highlighted it green on my spreadsheet to make sure it was in my pack
- I used packing cubes and rolled up my clothes to maximise space which meant I could put multiple items into a cube – ultimately I only have 2 medium sized cubes with me from the brand Gonex
- Electronics were all wrapped up in a cloth bag
- Toiletries were put into a clear zip lock bag and then put into a leather pouch for extra protection – try cling wrapping openings of bottles if you don’t want it to spill! I already had a mishap with my contacts lens case before I even left 🙁
- I made sure to pack my important docs and other essentials in places I could secure
- Checked my airline’s baggage allowance and was glad to see that all of them accept one personal bag with the carry on! I definitely needed it because my wireless headphones and camera made my pack so bulky. But now that it’s out in its own separate personal bag, the Osprey looks far more manageable haha
- I packed my towel at the bottom of the bag to save space – but try and not get an XL microfibre towel to truly save space
And now that I’m all packed, it feels kind of surreal that I’ll be leaving for 6 months.
I’m feeling kind of scared yet excited. And kind of tired after all the planning but I have hopes that it will all work out in the end.
At this moment, I’m more ready to get onto the plane and sleep haha – I need to catch up on some zzz’s because it’s surprisingly hard to exert so much energy in the preparation and planning stages, including catch ups. I’ve realised I’m a bit of an introvert and my energy levels do deplete when I’m out and about. But at the same time I love catching up and making things happen. I love the crazy organised chaos that is my life. I just need to take breaks sometimes. So here’s to an 8hr flight tmr!
Catch you in Malaysia first!