If you have heard of that question thrown by your dad, your brother, your spouse or boyfriend, then welcome to the club, you have officially made it to the statistics of another woman who need to re-organize their priorities and take Light Travel Packing 101 lessons.
Don't get me wrong, I am not a really good light packer myself...and not exactly one either, although I know I have to learn this myself, to PACK LIGHT!
My Daddy used to tell me this all the time, priortize and travel light.
It is always good to travel light, he says.
Sure it is, but it is not as easy as what one thinks.
(I know someone will probably lash back and tell me that it's not as hard as what I think either)
If that comes from a guy, then I think you need to hold your tongue as I list out the reasons why we face this dilemma all the time.
1. We do not own monotone types of t-shirts and pants.
Admit it, guys only have 3 types of shirts: a Polo tee, a T-shirt, and a ironed work shirt.
Variants? Of course they have their assortment of patterns
Striped, checkered, plain
With or without pocket
With or without buttons
With or without logo/brand on the right side of the shirt
That's it! Of course it's easier when it comes to packing. You don't even have lots of variants in your pants/trousers either.
Jeans or slacks....and light or dark-colored.
Shorts or bermudas.
You pack one of each and it goes well with everything.
I know some do that even on long period of travel!
We have blouses and tops (frilled, lacy, knitted, crocheted, wool, cotton, cheese cloth, silk, puffed sleeves, linen, etc)
Then there's skirts to go for formal occasion and those for beach, and some are only meant for light walks.
Dresses for light summer wear or evening wear
Shorts for the pool or the beach, bermudas for cooler weather, mini hipsters for beach wear, khakis for jungle trekking or adventure, jeans (boot cut, tight, acid-washed), tight leggings, slacks...the list goes on.
They all go for different occasion; and we like to be prepared for any occasion without buying on the spot.
2. We have definitely more important toiletries besides a toothbrush and a toothpaste.
Some of us can't even use the shampoo or shower gel and lotion provided by the hotel due to the sensitive skin and scalp we have.
We have to bring our own; and that adds to the load.
Then there's those facial cleanser (totally a different thing from shower gel and soap!), moisturizer, toner, masque, day cream, night cream.
Then there's those lotions; lightweight and heavyweight...for different times of the day
Shampoo, conditioner, hair masque, hair oil, tonic, etc
I think this list already beat the ones that a guy have on his list
Toothbrush, toothpaste, shaver, shaving cream, comb?
3. We do not use one pair of shoe for all occasions
Thongs, sandals and slippers are different! So are sneakers and loafers.
Every girl will pack at least one mid-height heels for any occasion they may need to go with the dress
4. We need to have our accessories
Cotton buds, cotton pads, nail clipper, brushes, sanitizer, etc..
Of course, all those can be emitted and much as we would like to defend ourselves, to a certain extent, I have to admit that we are guilty as charged.
Most of us who wanted to or even had the slight intention to pack light always end up packing more!
Women are naturally a cautious lot, and we want to be prepared at all times. We do not want to arrive at our destination and regret that we did not bring this and that.
I am sure most of us have had the experience where we deliberately leave something which we figured would not be useful just to find that we actually need it when we are there.
Talk about irony.
That's where we could have kicked at ourselves for leaving that behind, and just wonder and imagine how lovely it would have been if we dropped it into the suitcase at that time!
Another point is the tendency of us looking at each thing to pack as one that is small in size and easily fitted.
"Oh, that bottle of shampoo is just so small, it should not be heavy"
"I reckon I should bring my nail clipper and emery board too, it does not take up too much space"
"I think I need an additional pair of socks in case it gets really cold there"
All these extra bits of stuffs we need end up in a large amount when compiled together, UNFORTUNATELY!
If you are travelling with a mother, do not blame her for not being able to pack light as it is a mother's nature to make sure that everything is complete to provide for her children.
They will fuss over the amount of milk powder to bring, diapers, clothes, medicine, etc.
It is in the nature of being a mother.
Another thing to remember is to inform us how many days we are travelling; whether it is a short or a long vacation.
"As if it makes any difference!" someone once snorted at me.
It does, actually, the bulk is slightly smaller.
I have learnt to travel light; since I have to fly frequently on business trips and sometimes they are really short.
I have to make sure I do not pack too much stuffs, and make sure that it is not too heavy.
Reason is due to the weight I have to lug behind me in airports upon arrival which causes so much pain. Furthermore, it creates a lot of inconvenience when I want to travel from place to place, or if I need to take a bus/train and having to watch over the many luggages around.
Even if it is only one suitcase, the weight could be unbearable and it is embarassing for me to be seen tugging hard at my bag and avoiding all those stares.
I have learnt my lesson; bitterly.
It is not easy, but I have slowly enjoyed the privileges of travelling light.
However, there is still one part I need to put in mind,
I may need extra weight after the trip, because of the newly bought things!!
So, you see, even when we try to travel light when we are heading there, you have got to be mentally prepared that we may need another luggage when we come back here because of the things that we buy.
Of course, we can always be controlled in terms of whether to buy or not, but sometimes, they are just too adorable to resist and after all, we have already flown so far and for so long to that place, how could we not bring back something for a souvenir?
It is a never-ending argument on packing light, but it is still a good practice to start which motivated me to pack light too.
For a start, perhaps a simple list would help
1. Pack only essentials.
Ask yourself whether you really need that extra dress, skirt, blouse.
Count the number of days, and add an additional shirt will do. Try to bring light-weighted clothes.
If you are expecting cold weather, bring ONE thick sweater.
2. Request for travel packs when you buy your cosmetics/toileteries.
When you buy your regular sized toners, cleansers, moisturizers, etc, ask the counter if you could get a sample size or even the travel packs, do so.
3. Bring one pair of sandals and a pair of sneakers.
If you can help it, get either one pair of sneakers/loafers for walking purpose.
There are lots of footwear designs out there which are suitable for multipurposes.
4. Try to avoid bringing too much accessories
You just have to leave that pair of earrrings or that necklace at home. Drop as much accessories as possible, go with only the essential.
bring the most versatile set, and that's it. Only ONE set.
After all, it is risky to be bringing so many. You don't want to lose any of your precious earrings, don't you?
5. Go easy on the jeans and those heavier material clothings.
These outfits put a toll on the weight you have to lull behind you; not exactly a desirable sight.
These are all the tips and pointers, just bear in mind that you want to travel in style, sashaying your way through the airport and those stations to your hotel without panting all the way.
So, start Packing LIGHT!
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