My goal when traveling is to travel light. But less than half the time I achieve that goal. Despite or maybe because of a strong planning tendency, I’m frequently faced with piles of “absolutely-needed” or “just-in-case” stuff that even my spatially-challenged mind knows won’t fit into a medium suitcase. Wading through the items to determine what goes and stays yields a better outcome. But rarely does it eliminate taking more than I need.
Packing amnesia sets in as I forget how encumbered I feel in the actual traveling part. That’s what happened recently on our Ireland vacation. My barely-able-to-close medium suitcase became an annoying daily struggle to find things, repack, and maneuver. All the stuff I brought felt physically and emotionally weighty and confining.
I’ve come to realize life is a lot like my packing. Despite good intentions and self-reflection, (continue reading →)
