Packing Pressure

Okay...if I'm being honest, packing was beginning to stress me out.

2 years is a LONG TIME. That's a lot of packing pressure.

My normal packing routine goes something like this: I have a pile of things I'm thinking of taking, and the day before I leave I catch up on laundry, then go through the trial and error process of throwing everything into whatever bag I'm taking until everything fits. This sometimes takes quite a while...

And it's what I would have been doing this time, except for the fact that since my leave date was moved up, I no longer have the luxury of a full day to pack. I now leave on Monday, the 23rd. In the week before that day I will be away, out of state for 6 out of 7 days. I will get back Sunday evening, and need to pack fairly quickly in order to get whatever minute amount of sleep my excitement allows me, and then head to Philly on Monday morning.

So, I've done what I've never done before and completely packed my bags, checked their size and weight, and unpacked them again, making a detailed list of what made the cut. My friend Amanda was over to help me negotiate through the decision making about which clothing items were more versatile, what types of things I could do without, etc. Next time I pack, it will be a piece of cake. :)