Overpacking...I need help!

[ems_mom]

They say admitting the problem is the first step to fixing it, right? Well, I'm about to leave on an eight night vacation and I apparently need one giant suitcase, one carry-on bag (although this trip were driving, not flying), one toiletries/cosmetics bag, and a beach bag stuffed with shoes.

I know I'll never wear all these clothes but I just can't let go of the idea that I'll be there and wish I had brought that outfit/dress, etc. Its always too much is better than not enough.

My DH is bringing one small suitcase and a bag for two pairs of his size 12 shoes. I will probably wish he brought more clothes!

Anyone else share my problem, or have advice?

 

[Pakey]

Sorry, can't help you. Last year, I did 2 weeks in China and then another later trip for 2 weeks in Egypt, all with the same 19" carry on.

Both times, I had enough room to bring home some souvenirs.

 

[SaraJayne]

No, I've never been an over-packer. I decide what I want to wear each day plus two extra outfits, and typically two pair of shoes.

That's it.

On our last vacation (cruise,8 nights) I had a very small carry on and a medium suitcase.

 

[laurie31]

I was an overpacker. If we were driving, I would fill every available inch of space in the car, even putting stuff under my feet!

However, I am in recovery.

Last year, we spent a month in Europe, carry-on only. It's really true that you don't need all those clothes, and if you forget something, unless you're going to the wilds of Africa or something, you can buy it there.

Pick and choose carefully and you'd be surprised what you can do without.

Examples - we didn't bring an umbrella. If it had rained, it would have been a simple matter to grab one somewhere. I wouldn't go to Disney without ponchos, though.

We *did* bring small amounts of OTC meds, such as Advil and Immodium. We did not need the Immodium, but it's not something I'd want to have to stop and search for if the need became suddenly urgent, especially at 2am or something. Just put a few pills in a tiny ziploc bag and label it with a sharpie. They took up virtually no space.

We chose clothing to mix and match. Plus we can't resist shopping on vaction. My kids think a trip to the beach = an airbrushed t-shirt, lol. So we factored in the idea that we'd be buying some clothes there. I was pleasantly surprised to find that we didn't look the same in all our pictures.

You're staying 8 nights. For me, for a driving vacation, that would mean 7 outfits. I wear home the same thing I left in. Two pair of shoes, unless we were hiking, then I'd need boots too. Flying, I would make do with 4 shirts and 2 pair of pants. DH only brings the shoes he wears, but I am too paranoid to do that. I must have a spare pair.

I used to bring a complete outfit for every day, plus a few extra in case something got dirty, or in case we went out in the evening and I wanted to change. I promise that I never miss carrying all those clothes.

Try at least only bringing exactly enough clothes as a first step. Think about what you'll do each day and what you will wear. Put all the extra stuff back.

Good luck!

 

[Pembo]

I am an overpacker and this time I forced myself to underpack. We had to pay baggage fees and I wanted to save $$. We did stay in a condo so I could wash midweek. I did wear everything I packed.

That said for an 8 day trip that I was driving...I'd take a lot!

 

[Disney Doll]

I try to keep my bottoms neutral...khaki, gray, white, black. Then pretty much any tops I bring will match my bottoms I have. Usually a couple of pairs of shoes that will go with all the bottoms. Bathing suits, underclothes, done.

 

[chisnpeke]

I am in the same boat as you, OP. I always think "what if I really want this?" It's really bad and I always fill up the car to the max. Just to let you know you aren't alone in this struggle

 

[gojoe]

They say admitting the problem is the first step to fixing it, right? Well, I'm about to leave on an eight night vacation and I apparently need one giant suitcase, one carry-on bag (although this trip were driving, not flying), one toiletries/cosmetics bag, and a beach bag stuffed with shoes.

I know I'll never wear all these clothes but I just can't let go of the idea that I'll be there and wish I had brought that outfit/dress, etc. Its always too much is better than not enough.

My DH is bring one small suitcase and a bag for two pairs of his size 12 shoes. I will probably wish he brought more clothes!

Anyone else share my problem, or have advice?

Be proud to be an over-packer. I am!! Too many years I've had people tell me how they can go away for a week with a carry-on. Well good for them. I don't say to them "how can they were the same thing over and over again?". Or how "I don't have to worry about doing laundry while I'm away." I fly Southwest and I'm proud to say, I take 2 carry-ons one for the over head bin and one under my seat plus I check 2 bags just under 50 lbs. (I take a fish scale to make sure). OK so one of my check-in's if full of food for the week. Now multiply that by a family of 4. Thank you Disney for Magic Express

I'm proud to be an over packer and I don't care who knows. Embrace it.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

They say admitting the problem is the first step to fixing it, right? Well, I'm about to leave on an eight night vacation and I apparently need one giant suitcase, one carry-on bag (although this trip were driving, not flying), one toiletries/cosmetics bag, and a beach bag stuffed with shoes.

I know I'll never wear all these clothes but I just can't let go of the idea that I'll be there and wish I had brought that outfit/dress, etc. Its always too much is better than not enough.

My DH is bringing one small suitcase and a bag for two pairs of his size 12 shoes. I will probably wish he brought more clothes!

Anyone else share my problem, or have advice?

I guess I must be an overpacker too because I actually don't see anything wrong with this!! You're driving, right? My motto is, if there's still room in the car, I haven't packed enough.

Flying is a completely different thing but why torture yourself if you don't have to?

 

[DisneyScraps]

I am an over packer to. If you are driving bring it all. We just went away for 4 days. I had a large Vera Bradley duffle bag for me one for my DD, a small one for shoes and another for toiletries, DBF had one small bag. Ohhh and of course there was stuff on hangers too.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Since you are driving, who cares. Overpack all you want.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Since you are driving, who cares. Overpack all you want.

This is exactly right. I am an overpacker and I stress & force myself to downsize if we are flying but when we are driving? Just go nuts!

 

[Goofyluver]

I was an overpacker...until my fiance came along. Now she packs, and I suffer.

I cut back a lot by forcing all of our family to share toiletries. And by choosing outfits that can all be worn with the same shoes, or at least I limit myself to two pairs or so.

Also, we pre-ironed our clothes during this last trip. Nice, straight, ironed clothing packs and lays better in the bags. Who knew?

 

[pat fan]

Doesn't sound like over-packing to me!!!

When we go to WDW for a week, I have a carry-on and my purse, a checked bag of my stuff, a little bit of my stuff in my DH's bag and a separate bag for my pillow and a few other things (mostly shoes!). I know, I know, but I have to have a special neck pillow, and let's face it, you never know what shoes you are gonna want to wear, and what if some get wet? Or only certain ones go with certain outfits?

I think you pack too light!

 

[LuvOrlando]

I think you sound just fine too, after all this is Spring and the weather is changing so you need to be prepared, not only for every need but in multiple temps.

Have a lovely time & pack until you are happy.

 

[LisaR]

I have a question for those of you that can make it a week or two with just a carry-on or one small checked bag. What do you do about toiletries? Do you pack things like shampoo, soap, hairspray, contact solution, etc. in small containers and carry them on or do you buy stuff when you get there? I need this stuff for four people and those little 3oz bottles aren't enough for all of us. I have one suitcase for our upcoming 9 day trip that is just toiletries. It is a carry-on sized suitcase that we will check but it is full of toiletries for four people.

 

[Sorilla]

If I can, I will OP!

 

[RockAndRollBallerina]

I have a question for those of you that can make it a week or two with just a carry-on or one small checked bag. What do you do about toiletries? Do you pack things like shampoo, soap, hairspray, contact solution, etc. in small containers and carry them on or do you buy stuff when you get there? I need this stuff for four people and those little 3oz bottles aren't enough for all of us. I have one suitcase for our upcoming 9 day trip that is just toiletries. It is a carry-on sized suitcase that we will check but it is full of toiletries for four people.

When I went to Cozumel Mexico for a whole week back in 2008 we all carried on our clothes for the week, and checked one suitcase that had beach towels, our snorkel gear, and our toiletries in it and kept medication in our carry ons. We all packed 7 days worth of underwear, 2 pairs of shorts, a skirt or dress, 2 t-shirts, 2 tank tops, 2-3 bathing suits, and 2 pairs of flip flops still having plenty of room for other stuff in our bags.

When it comes to toiletries we bring 1 bottle of conditioner, 1 bottle of shampoo, 1 bottle of body wash, 1 can of shaving gel, 1 bottle of face wash, 1 hairspray can, 1 straightener, 1 hair dryer, 1 curling iron, and a small bottle of liquid laundry detergent so we can hand wash clothes throughout the trip. Everything is shared with the exception of razors.

 

[hambirg]

I went to Europe with my ex DH for a month and we only checked one bag (half full to leave room for souvies) and two carry-ons. I'm really glad that we went that way. The thought of dragging a bunch of stuff that I may or may not need didn't appeal to me at all. The way I look at it is that people actually live wherever you're going. . .I'm pretty sure you can buy toothpaste, shampoo, or whatever the heck you might need once you are there. I now always underpack, knowing that if I really need something I can just buy it. Clothes can be washed. . .I would rather do a load of laundry than drag around multiple outfits I might never wear.

 

[Cinderella94]

You're driving, pack whatever you want! When we drive to WDW, the 4 of us fill our Denali to the brim. It's ridiculous .