It’s been quite a year! After non-stop business travel for almost two years in a row, I had a lovely six-month reprieve. But I’m back to the bumpy, overcrowded, and delayed skies once again. And that of course means that it’s usually time to pack.
I don’t know what comes over most of us when we drag the suitcase out. Is it that the empty open space beckons us to fill it with fantasy clothing and a variety of fun options? We’re ready to fully embrace the version of ourselves we wish we were? So out parade the neverworns and the wish list fancies. The back of the closet seems to get first dibs. Questionable dresses fill the void rolled carefully next to that Ten Pounds To Go top. Why do we do this to ourselves? Isn’t it best to pack options that we know fit so that when we’re away from home we are assured to be comfortable and look good? And why on earth do we pack so many unnecessary pairs of shoes?! I have some thoughts…
Packing for a trip lets us dream a little. We are off to a different locale, sometimes very far from home and wanderlust can take over. We might be going somewhere that we won’t be recognized… especially in that outfit. If we’re heading to Texas we might want to pack our seldom worn cowboy boots thinking that we can still pull off that look and that we’ll blend. (Ya, right. That was so 1991! It’s like wearing your well-earned Mardi Gras beads from February of 1990 to New Orleans in November of 2023. Just don’t.) While packing for a tropical location, we might be encouraged by a rowdy inner voice to whip out the floor length animal print cover up that we bought on a whim last year at The Anniversary Sale. (Can we be honest for a moment? That thing has panic buy written all over it. And there is a reason that it still has tags attached, right?)
Next to packing issues, another challenging thing about traveling these days is the lack of flight options and the sardine like way we are jammed into such a small space. I find myself constantly checking the Seat Selection tab on my airline app to see if I’m solo in my row or flanked by other agitated travelers. And you know that feeling when you’re the aisle and the middle seat is empty and you and Window throw each other that hopeful chin while you both eye the vacant center seat? The best, right? In your mind you’re chanting, “Close the door. Close the door.” just prior to leaving the gate.
Foolishly or not, I usually fly first thing in the morning. There is a way better chance of not being delayed, pilots arriving on time, and you getting where you’re going without issue the earlier you leave. But the getting up at 3 something to be picked up at 4 something to arrive at 5 something for a 7am flight is reaaaaally getting to me. And I just gotta tell you that I’m tired.
One thing I do look forward to at hotels is the on-site gift shop. They usually have local artsy finds, interesting snacks and bevs, travel minis, trendy giftables, clothing merch, and emergency items. And of course they sell the bedding, towels, and bath products that the hotel prefers so that if you fall in love with the shampoo in your room, you can take a full bottle home.
Traveling these days remains an experience but I always look forward to going no matter the destination. My bags are always semi-packed anyway with cosmetic minis at the ready. And yet somehow that random fire engine red blouse I’ve never worn always manages to stow away… just in case.
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