I Admit It - I'm An Overpacker!

[Christine]

And it is tops on my list of things that bother me most about myself!

Going out to see my son next week. He lives in San Diego. Weather here on the east coast has been in the upper 80s/90s. Weather in SD, is cool. I don't really have "in between" clothes as it seems we go from winter to hot summer here in about a week's time. I'm also struggling with the various things we are going to do that seem to all require unique clothing: going to the various dog beaches everyday, doing some nicer dining, helping him move, and rounding it up at the end is a 2 night stay in Disneyland. I've got ankle length chinos (2) with nicer shirts for dining, quick dry shorts for the beach, swimsuit/coverup for the pool, some longer shorts for Disney. Then reading that it gets "cool" in SD and DL so do I need a jacket? Not sure I even have one!

Then there's the shoe issue. I had foot surgery last year (reconstruction) so for the most part, I need to wear my Brooks Ghosts with orthotics, but not at dinner with my nicer clothes, not on the beach, etc. I feel like I'm looking at 3 sets of shoes at least, two of them fairly heavy.

I then feel like I need to bring my blow dryer. Ugh. My experiences at hotels with blow dryers is they don't really dry my hair, if they're even working. I have a shortish haircut but hair is thick and needs some good power to dry.

So I've been staring at this stack of "stuff" all weekend and I'm just mad at myself.

Do any of you have the same affliction? Able to cure it? Any tips. I haven't gotten better with packing cubes. Didn't decrease my stuff but made packing/unpacking easier.

 

[RUDisney]

Take a breath. I take just a carry on and personal item, even when I go for 2 weeks. I've had my luggage be lost when checking it, so I no longer take any chances. I'm planning to go to India at the end of the year for a month with just this luggage. My personal item is a weekender bag from Vera Bradley that fits over the pull handle of my carry on. It will have enough room in it for things that I purchase while I'm there.

Cool = ~70 degrees each day and the lows are 59-61. To me, that is perfect weather and I would not need a jacket. It's t-shirt and shorts weather. I live in PA, so YMMV.

Lay out your outfits and see what can cross-match. I like to take dresses when I travel because it cuts down on the number of items that I need and they pack like they are a large shirt. IMO, you can wear the same things on the beach that you do to help your DS move.

Remember, no one knows you in CA. Who cares if you aren't put together perfectly. Look at your shoes. You need your Brooks Ghosts. You'll wear those on the plane. Choose one pair of neutral flats and wear those with all of your "fancy" items.

You DON'T need a different clothing item for every day. Plus, does your DS have/will he have a washer/dryer? You can certainly wash clothes before you go to DL.

Choose the one thing you can't live without... sounds like it's your hair dryer. I never take one, but take it if it will make you happier to have it. Or, send one to your DS's home so he can keep it there for when you visit.

As for being cool at night. If you have all sleeveless items, you should take a light, neutral sweater so you can have it in case you are chilly. I tend to take a light pashmina. They pack smaller than a sweater.

Pack enough bras, underwear and socks. Remember, socks can be packed inside of the neutral shoes that you take to save some room, too.

Make sure all of the products that you are taking are scaled into smaller packages. Eye cream can go into contact lens holders, small toothpaste tubes and small shampoo, etc., if you don't like what your DS has or what DL offers. For makeup, I take eye liner, mascara and an eyeshadow stick. That's it.

You'll be so proud of yourself when you prove that less is more when you travel. Anything you might forget can be purchased when you're there.

Most of all... enjoy yourself! I'll be living vicariously through you this month.

 

[Christine]

Take a breath. I take just a carry on and personal item, even when I go for 2 weeks. I've had my luggage be lost when checking it, so I no longer take any chances. I'm planning to go to India at the end of the year for a month with just this luggage. My personal item is a weekender bag from Vera Bradley that fits over the pull handle of my carry on. It will have enough room in it for things that I purchase while I'm there.

Cool = ~70 degrees each day and the lows are 59-61. To me, that is perfect weather and I would not need a jacket. It's t-shirt and shorts weather. I live in PA, so YMMV.

Lay out your outfits and see what can cross-match. I like to take dresses when I travel because it cuts down on the number of items that I need and they pack like they are a large shirt. IMO, you can wear the same things on the beach that you do to help your DS move.

Remember, no one knows you in CA. Who cares if you aren't put together perfectly. Look at your shoes. You need your Brooks Ghosts. You'll wear those on the plane. Choose one pair of neutral flats and wear those with all of your "fancy" items.

You DON'T need a different clothing item for every day. Plus, does your DS have/will he have a washer/dryer? You can certainly wash clothes before you go to DL.

Choose the one thing you can't live without... sounds like it's your hair dryer. I never take one, but take it if it will make you happier to have it. Or, send one to your DS's home so he can keep it there for when you visit.

As for being cool at night. If you have all sleeveless items, you should take a light, neutral sweater so you can have it in case you are chilly. I tend to take a light pashmina. They pack smaller than a sweater.

Pack enough bras, underwear and socks. Remember, socks can be packed inside of the neutral shoes that you take to save some room, too.

Make sure all of the products that you are taking are scaled into smaller packages. Eye cream can go into contact lens holders, small toothpaste tubes and small shampoo, etc., if you don't like what your DS has or what DL offers. For makeup, I take eye liner, mascara and an eyeshadow stick. That's it.

You'll be so proud of yourself when you prove that less is more when you travel. Anything you might forget can be purchased when you're there.

Most of all... enjoy yourself! I'll be living vicariously through you this month.

See, you are my hero!! I'm trying.

The one thing I can't do is "neutral flats." I can't wear any real flat at all, much as I want to and used to. So I did buy some neutral, thick soled tie up canvas sneakers to wear when I just want to look a little more pulled together with my chinos. They work well with my bionic foot but, dang, they are heavy (and clunky). I am bringing two pairs of chinos but maybe one will do. As for the moving, I almost feel like I need a pair of jeans to cover up my legs. I tend to just bump into things and I'll probably be crawling around a lot.

I was out shopping all weekend and couldn't find much in the way of casual dresses that fit me but I agree with you that this is a good solution. Stores are sort of paltry right now with stock, IMO, and I'm just too late for online delivery.

But you've given me some good motivation to just tough it out and scale back.

 

[AnnaS]

I won't be any help since I tend to take everything but the house

I try. I really do and I think I have gotten better.

But I agree with @RUDisney - you won't know anyone but your son. If you are not meeting anyone else, old friends, family members.or meeting on a daily basis....I would not worry too much. You can wear same clothing/cross match more than once. Will you be taking a ton of pictures? Posting them? Worried about wearing the same top over and over? - Don't over think it. You need to be comfortable traveling.

I am always warm and very rarely wear long sleeves - even in the winter. I always have a light sweater/jacket for that moment that I am cold but it comes off two minutes later.

How long are you going for? Two chinos, two pair of shorts, a casual dress some tops and undergarments and you should be set. I would definitely take one light sweater/jacket that you can wear with all your outfits.

Have fun!

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I agree with one pair of chinos. Perhaps instead of a jacket do you have a dark cardigan you can take? I also like to take a jersey dress that matches my cardigan that can be dressy or casual. I also always take a white tshirt as it can go under the cardigan and look a little dressier if need be over nicer shorts.

Have a great trip.

 

[ronandannette]

Unless you’re physically unable to handle your luggage, why agonize over packing too much? Take everything you want and need and consider it winning if it all fits in one checked bag. Being willing to wear the same shirt three days in one week isn’t some sort of virtue. I’m a heavy packer myself and find it far better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. And rinse things out in the sink just to wear them repeatedly in short periods of time? Ugh, no and just why?

How ever it ends up, have a wonderful time with your DS and enjoying beautiful Southern California.

 

[Meriweather]

Over packer here too.
Have suitcase out for a cruise in less than 2 weeks and it is almost full, and I haven't started on clothes yet!!
But it will come together when I get it organized.
I do take my own hair dryer most places......I bought a small travel one. White noise machine.......and the list goes on.
I would never, ever be able to go anywhere for more than 3 days with a carry on.....but if I am flying it is always for more than that......

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I too struggle with overpacking. My best tip (lol) is to remind myself that I am not traveling to an undeveloped nation and that I will in fact be able to go get things if I need them.
My shoe compromise is wear the heaviest (sneakers) on the plane, pack flip flops and comfy sandals (aim for 1 pair that goes with everything but will allow 2 if necessary). I also save up skincare and makeup samples for traveling. If you can do laundry at one point in the trip, you are golden. I like to take a travel size Downy wrinkle release to freshen and hang items that need to be re-worn without washing.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

I bought a bag just for anything g but clothes - I’m so done - no matter what - I weigh my bags at home and they magically gain weight going to airport - up to 5 pounds most times - do I try and pack light and now have small bag to check with all my non cloth items - just got back from cruise - bag weighed 43 at hotel - 49 at airport - I would have been way over without that little bag ! I’ve been on a trip and needed items I didn’t have and could not purchase - won’t do that again - you be you and have a wonderful time !!!!

 

[Micca]

You DON'T need a different clothing item for every day. Plus, does your DS have/will he have a washer/dryer? You can certainly wash clothes before you go to DL.

This is a good suggestion. Also, if you visit often, is there a way your son could keep a box of your stuff on hand such that you're not hauling it back & forth?

If you can learn to travel light, you may find your trips are more enjoyable.

 

[VandVsmama]

And it is tops on my list of things that bother me most about myself!

Going out to see my son next week. He lives in San Diego. Weather here on the east coast has been in the upper 80s/90s. Weather in SD, is cool. I don't really have "in between" clothes as it seems we go from winter to hot summer here in about a week's time. I'm also struggling with the various things we are going to do that seem to all require unique clothing: going to the various dog beaches everyday, doing some nicer dining, helping him move, and rounding it up at the end is a 2 night stay in Disneyland. I've got ankle length chinos (2) with nicer shirts for dining, quick dry shorts for the beach, swimsuit/coverup for the pool, some longer shorts for Disney. Then reading that it gets "cool" in SD and DL so do I need a jacket? Not sure I even have one!

Then there's the shoe issue. I had foot surgery last year (reconstruction) so for the most part, I need to wear my Brooks Ghosts with orthotics, but not at dinner with my nicer clothes, not on the beach, etc. I feel like I'm looking at 3 sets of shoes at least, two of them fairly heavy.

I then feel like I need to bring my blow dryer. Ugh. My experiences at hotels with blow dryers is they don't really dry my hair, if they're even working. I have a shortish haircut but hair is thick and needs some good power to dry.

So I've been staring at this stack of "stuff" all weekend and I'm just mad at myself.

Do any of you have the same affliction? Able to cure it? Any tips. I haven't gotten better with packing cubes. Didn't decrease my stuff but made packing/unpacking easier.

You are definitely overpacking. Sandals are acceptable footwear everywhere, even at restaurants. You don’t need a full on jacket. Just a light sweatshirt. Don’t pack one. Just buy one when you’re there. Leave 1 pair of pants at home and instead use the 1 pair of chinos for the 2 fancier dinners. Do the same for the dressier tops. Leave 1 at home. You won’t be sweating through your clothes like you would in Orlando.

 

[JLTraveling]

I used to be an overpacker. Then I lived in a hostel for a few months. You don't get to keep the same bed necessarily, so I was hauling all my junk down two flights of stairs, across the courtyard, up another couple of flights...every few days. That cured me fast. Now I can live for a month out of a carryon. Lightweight fabrics, mix and match, plan to wear each item at least twice. Wear your heaviest shoes on the plane and carry your jacket on. You got this!

 

[DVCjj]

I'm an over packer with no apologies. I don't go overseas. I get 2 free bags with my credit card. I carry my own quite large & heavy bag and large tote. At Disney for 2 week trips and several week trips, I basically live out of an semi-organized suitcase & tote.

I like my 'stuff'. I want it on vacation as that's usually what I buy it for.

 

[fivikse]

I usually plan to wash/dry clothes during a trip that is a week or longer. That way you just have to pack for 3/4 days. I find it helpful to think in terms of outfits, so I don't have a few shirts that maybe I'll wear if I feel like it. I know exactly what I will wear with each item I bring.

For you, it sounds like many things can overlap. Moving clothes and dog beach clothes can overlap I would think. I would probably also wear the bottoms I wore for those things to DL. One nicer pair of bottoms for dinners.

Shoes - wear your brooks on the plane. Bring a pair of supportive sandals (maybe like the Keen Rose?) that can work for the beach and dinners out (or wear your brooks out to dinner). I alternate between tennis shoes and supportive sandals at theme parks.

So for what you've listed, I would bring:

2 quick dry shorts
1 nice pants suitable for dinner
1 other bottom - maybe pants to wear on plane/look nice but not dressy (for me this would be jeans or my eddie bauer travel pants) but if this overlaps with your out to dinner pants, then substitute a dress or a third pair of shorts - whatever you'll use.

3 casual t shirts (moving, dog beach, theme park)
2 nice shirts (one out to dinner nice, one airplane/seeing friends nice)

light jacket or cardigan

Brooks (wear on plane)
Supportive sandals

And do laundry once during trip.

If you find you've misjudged, it'll be easy to get a shirt or sweatshirt while there.

 

[Christine]

Unless you’re physically unable to handle your luggage, why agonize over packing too much? Take everything you want and need and consider it winning if it all fits in one checked bag. Being willing to wear the same shirt three days in one week isn’t some sort of virtue. I’m a heavy packer myself and find it far better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. And rinse things out in the sink just to wear them repeatedly in short periods of time? Ugh, no and just why?

How ever it ends up, have a wonderful time with your DS and enjoying beautiful Southern California.

I ask myself this also. Plus I am flying Southwest which allows 2 bags. I think just all the clothes and stuff overwhelms me when I get to my destination. And then making sure it's all packed up again on the return trip. I just feel stressed by it but I also like having it. Confusing I know. The packing cubes have gone a long way in helping my organization at my destination. I just put all "like" things in one zipped cube and they pull out and go on a shelf or in a drawer. Very easy to pack back up.

 

[Christine]

This is a good suggestion. Also, if you visit often, is there a way your son could keep a box of your stuff on hand such that you're not hauling it back & forth?

If you can learn to travel light, you may find your trips are more enjoyable.

Unfortunately, not likely at all to visit often. East Coast to West Coast and I am not wild about air travel these days.

 

[ronandannette]

I ask myself this also. Plus I am flying Southwest which allows 2 bags. I think just all the clothes and stuff overwhelms me when I get to my destination. And then making sure it's all packed up again on the return trip. I just feel stressed by it but I also like having it. Confusing I know. The packing cubes have gone a long way in helping my organization at my destination. I just put all "like" things in one zipped cube and they pull out and go on a shelf or in a drawer. Very easy to pack back up.

That's all I was saying - don't feel bad about packing too much just because you feel like packing light is the "proper" thing to do. With two free checked bags I'd be taking my kitchen sink and I wouldn't regret it for a minute! Have a lovely time, whatever you decide.

 

[Christine]

I usually plan to wash/dry clothes during a trip that is a week or longer. That way you just have to pack for 3/4 days. I find it helpful to think in terms of outfits, so I don't have a few shirts that maybe I'll wear if I feel like it. I know exactly what I will wear with each item I bring.

For you, it sounds like many things can overlap. Moving clothes and dog beach clothes can overlap I would think. I would probably also wear the bottoms I wore for those things to DL. One nicer pair of bottoms for dinners.

Shoes - wear your brooks on the plane. Bring a pair of supportive sandals (maybe like the Keen Rose?) that can work for the beach and dinners out (or wear your brooks out to dinner). I alternate between tennis shoes and supportive sandals at theme parks.

So for what you've listed, I would bring:

2 quick dry shorts
1 nice pants suitable for dinner
1 other bottom - maybe pants to wear on plane/look nice but not dressy (for me this would be jeans or my eddie bauer travel pants) but if this overlaps with your out to dinner pants, then substitute a dress or a third pair of shorts - whatever you'll use.

3 casual t shirts (moving, dog beach, theme park)
2 nice shirts (one out to dinner nice, one airplane/seeing friends nice)

light jacket or cardigan

Brooks (wear on plane)
Supportive sandals

And do laundry once during trip.

If you find you've misjudged, it'll be easy to get a shirt or sweatshirt while there.

I had planned to wear my Brooks on the plane also with compression socks. I've got some Lululemon joggers that are really comfy and actually kind of warm. I was going to wear a long-sleeved athletic type half-zip on the plane. I tend to get cold on a plane. I was going to wear the same outfit back. I could wear those joggers one day during the moving.

 

[fivikse]

Unless you’re physically unable to handle your luggage, why agonize over packing too much? Take everything you want and need and consider it winning if it all fits in one checked bag. Being willing to wear the same shirt three days in one week isn’t some sort of virtue. I’m a heavy packer myself and find it far better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. And rinse things out in the sink just to wear them repeatedly in short periods of time? Ugh, no and just why?

How ever it ends up, have a wonderful time with your DS and enjoying beautiful Southern California.

For me, I prefer to pack light for a few reasons. If I carry on, there is less chance of bags getting lost or sent elsewhere. I am able to carry my bags myself anywhere quickly, which if you are using public transportation can be important. I also find it freeing while I am at my destination. I don't have to search my bag for things or try to decide what I am wearing. I don't end up with items I lugged around but didn't use. I also don't sink wash - I plan to use a regular washing machine halfway through. But that is just my personal preference.

HOWEVER, I don't care if other people pack everything they own. My sister is a huge overpacker - that doesn't bother me in the least and I don't give her advice about it (unless she asks lol).

I agree that some people can get carried away in pursuit of packing light!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

How long will you be going?

I tend to double up on bottoms and layering tanks but have separate shirts for everyday.

When we were down in Orlando earlier this month this was my clothes for 12 days but the big caveat for me is that almost all of them would be theme park ones so doubling it up was not done very much just due to the nature of being in the theme parks so much (aka sweaty-ickiness and there wasn't much time at all for washing machines)



Teal bags are compression cubes, blue are normal packing cubes.

I wore my leggings twice (on the flight down and on the flight back). I brought a packable rain jacket, a slightly thicker jacket meant for the planes because I tend to get cold in airports and on planes and then a lighter tied cardigan-ish jacket (that I wore on my birthday after changing out of my plane clothes, had it not been on my birthday I wouldn't have packed that or the skirt I ended up packing to wear too). It was overpacking but I typically bring a few extra outfits just in case I either change my mind, a stain happens, or the weather shifts enough. If this wasn't a theme park trip I would have cut down significantly on the different bottoms. Being down for a wedding I had a dress (although it was easy to pack) but then I brought a shawl due to the time of day the wedding one and that shawl took up some room.


If I was in your situation I would just double up so have bottoms that you wear more than once for instance. I echo the question of the washer and dryer. You could totally save space if things like underwear and any socks you may wear could be washed and the shirt(s) you wear to help move (which could also be worn for the dog park a day or two) along with the bottoms could also be washed.

For the nicer dining how many times will that be done? If it's just 2 I would only pack 1 chino.

I'm not sure you can compromise on the shoes if they are needed due to your foot surgery.

We also fly SWA yes having 2 checked bags per person is nice but making sure you can actually navigate that is another thing. We don't treat checked bags as a license to bring more stuff unless it's a long trip, for the most part the checked luggage helps in the liquids department so we don't have to try and consolidate down to the quart sized bag. I weighed my checked luggage (just did one and it was the middle sized luggage) and it was 38 lbs. I did have a carry on which was the smallest wheeled luggage although I don't know how much that weighed I was able to easily pick it up and put it in the overhead bin.