Packing as Psychology

On Saturday morning I packed for two weeks. As you might imagine, this led to some navel-gazing (and wouldn't you be disappointed if it didn't?) ;) I am, therefore I pack as I do. Or something like that.

One thing anyone who has ever traveled with me anywhere knows for sure is that I am an overpacker. I am the girl who hauled a thirty-pound suitcase up and down hostel stairs all over Europe because the idea of reducing my necessities to a backpack gave me the shudders--and really, who wants to be so cliche? Other than people who don't like back pain and heavy lifting? My carry-on suitcase will rarely hold me for a weekend. I now consistently budget the fifty-effing-dollars it costs to check a bag on a plane because my case is always so heavy I can't stand the idea of hauling it around an airport. And if I'm driving somewhere? Forget it. My car has 3 jackets, two reading books, and three extra pairs of shoes in it on a day when I'm just going to work and back, much less when I'm taking a trip!

Ok, I can hear you judging. I swear I'm not that materialistic. I wish that was the problem. The real problem is that I absolutely cannot STAND the thought of not having something I need when I need it simply because I wasn't psychic enough to bring it. I carry around a massive purse for the exact same reason--if I don't feel I have everything I could possibly need, I am very very uncomfortable.

"That's very...anal...of you," you might say. And I don't disagree. After all, I come from a long line of control freaks. For example, my friend who had met me and not my sister always gave me a really hard time about how I needed to have everything planned. I always said, "You know, if you knew my sister you'd realize how laid-back I am in comparison!" and she always said, "yeah yeah yeah." (or "yada yada yada"...this was back in the day.) Then one day she accompanied me and my sister to the zoo. The Washington DC Zoo, which only has one road that goes straight down a hill and then straight back up. And my friend watched my sister beeline for the free maps, gather us around her, and start coming up with a "plan of attack" to find the most strategic method to see each animal during this straight path. My friend looked at me, patted me on the back, and said, "I see what you mean. I'm sorry I doubted you."

So I come by my control issues very honestly. And I really don't think I'm half as bad as some of those people who share my genetic material. But boy do those issues raise their head when it comes time to pack. Don't get me wrong, I don't give two hoots about what my travel buddy packs. I don't waste my time trying to control other people. They do not need me to do that. And in fact, I'm often quite jealous of them and their laid-back, oh-who-cares-if-I-have-socks attitudes. They trust themselves to be ok if they find themselves with nothing to put on their feet: without even thinking about it, they know that whatever such obstacle comes up, they will just deal with it, and move on.

I am not so secure. And so I drove to Leesburg yesterday with a gigantic LL Bean rolling duffel, two Harris Teeter recyclable bags, my two purse-like bags, and my giant SLP conference tote. All totally full. You should have seen the alarm on the front desk person's face when I came staggering up under all that weight--"uh oh guys, we've got a squatter!"

Too bad I was never an Eagle Scout; I am ALWAYS prepared.

The other thing that I realized when I packed was the inequality of my clothing. The place I'm staying theoretically has laundry but, as we said, I like to be prepared, so I decided to bring enough so that I wouldn't necessarily HAVE to do laundry while I'm gone. Two weeks worth of work shirts? No problemo. Two weeks worth of the tank tops I wear under the work shirts (I try very hard not to be too boob-y at work)? Hell, I probably have three weeks worth. But two weeks worth of work-underwear? Not even close!

Ok, so back to the control freak thing--yes, I am anal about my underwear (har har har). I wear one kind to go out in public, and another kind for workingout/sleeping. And while I have tons of leisure options, I have a pathetically small amount of work ones. Which is not so bad except that I spent a heck of a lot more time at work then I do working out Or sleeping, it feels like. And yet when it comes time to purchase, I am drawn to the leisure kind! Hmm, I think I am trying to tell myself something....

The good news is, I'm staying in close proximity to some awesome lingerie stores. So I will be able to do shopping to resolve the problem. Which of course means that, yes, I will leave Leesburg with even MORE than I brought into it.

At least there are no doormen to scare at home.

Hoping you all have more functional packing lives!!!!