How to Pack

How to Write, Parallels

I am not a good packer. I overpack and always end up dragging around more than I need, especially when it comes to shoes. Shoes are my downfall. They’re bulky, heavy, and I always feel like I cannot survive with just two or three pairs, until I’m hauling my suitcase out of a too-small drive-share trunk or cramming it into an overhead bin.

Who am I kidding? I can’t remember the last time I even tried taking my suitcase onto a plane. I always check my too-large bag. And yet, I bring the combat boots, two pairs of sneakers, a pair of heels, and another pair of waterproof shoes or boots. Sometimes I even sneak a pair of shoes into my husband’s suitcase. I’m incorrigible, I admit it.

Too many clothes, too. Outfits for every possible scenario: a dressy dinner that never materializes, a backup to the backup outfit, I’m not quite sure of. That bold piece I tell myself I might finally wear. But I don’t.

On my last trip, I didn’t wear half of what I packed. I know better—but knowing and doing are two different things.

I’ve read all the articles, the ones with tidy capsule wardrobes and sensible advice: Choose a color palette. Bring three pairs of black pants, one pair of jeans, a few neutral tops, and a jacket or cardigan that can handle both dinner and drizzle. Add a black dress or skirt if you need to “elevate.” One jacket, ideally a trench coat. Limit shoes to two pairs, max. That’s it. You can repeat outfits. No one will notice. And if they do, they won’t care. The only people seeing your clothes are you and your travel companion, and you’ve both got better things to worry about.

Packing is a lot like writing. You start with too much, trying to cover all your bases, to be impressive, expressive. But in the end, the suitcase, like the page, only works when it’s been edited. You strip it down to the essentials. You let go of what’s unflattering, unnecessary, or simply too heavy to carry. You focus on what moves, what fits, what feels right. You make space for what matters.

Maybe next time, I’ll do it, fewer shoes, fewer just-in-case outfits, and more intention in both my suitcase and my writing. My next trip is to Iceland, and this time, I mean to pack with purpose. If it doesn’t work out, I might need an intervention. Do they have those for chronic overpackers?

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