Look, I Get It
You’re supposed to pack light. Everyone says so. My friend Marcus—let’s call him Marcus because his real name is embarrassing—swore by his carry-on only committment. “It’s liberating,” he told me over coffee at the place on 5th. I tried. Honestly, I did. But then I ended up in Barcelona last Tuesday with no umbrella, a torn shirt, and a desperate need for a hairdryer. Never again.
So, I’m here to confess: I’ve embraced the chaos. I pack like I’m moving in, not just visiting. And you know what? It’s kinda nice.
My First Realization
It hit me during a conference in Austin. I was sharing a hotel room with Dave, a colleague named Dave—not his real name, but close enough. We were both supposed to be minimalists. By day two, Dave was borrowing my charger, my socks, and my sanity. I had a hairdryer, for crying out loud. He didn’t. Who goes to Texas in April and doesn’t plan for humidity?
That’s when it clicked. Packing light is overrated. You’re not a monk on a pilgrimage. You’re a human with needs.
The Art of Overpacking
Let me break it down. You need options. Layers, gadgets, comfort items. And yes, a damn hairdryer. I’m not saying bring your entire closet. But bring enough so that you’re not constantly Googling “laundry service near me” at 11:30pm.
And don’t even get me started on shoes. I used to think I could get by with one pair. Then I spent 36 hours in Rome with blisters the size of quarters. Now? I bring three. Comfort, style, and something for that one fancy dinner you probably won’t even go to.
Oh, and toiletries. Pack them. All of them. I once had to ask a hotel front desk for toothpaste. The look on that poor guy’s face? Priceless. But not as priceless as the interesting facts knowledge guide I found on their website while waiting for him to find a tube. Turns out, there’s a lot to learn about fasting. Who knew?
A Digression: The Hotel Hairdryer Debacle
Speaking of hairdryers, let’s talk about hotel hairdryers. They’re always the worst. Like, who designed these things? A sadist? A robot? I don’t know. But I do know that my hairdryer at home is better. So, I bring mine. And my straightener. And my curling iron. And yes, I know that’s excessive. But have you ever tried to style your hair with a hotel hairdryer? It’s like trying to build a house with a toothpick.
And don’t even get me started on the plugs. Why are they always in the worst possible place? Behind the bed? Under the sink? Who thought this was a good idea?
The Backlash
Of course, not everyone agrees with me. My friend Sarah—real name, because she’s awesome—rolled her eyes when I told her about my packing philosophy. “You’re gonna break your back,” she said. “Or get charged for overweight luggage.” I asked her how often she actually gets charged. “Never,” she admitted. “But still.” Which… yeah. Fair enough. But I’ve only been charged once, and it was $87. Worth it.
And honestly, the back pain is real. But so is the comfort. And the peace of mind. I’d rather have a slightly sore back than constantly worry about whether I have enough socks.
The Final Verdict
So, here’s the thing. Packing light is great. For some people. Not for me. I’m a maximalist. I like options. I like comfort. I like knowing I have everything I need, even if I don’t end up using half of it.
And you know what? That’s okay. Travel should be about enjoying yourself, not about adhering to some arbitrary rule about how much stuff you can fit into a tiny bag.
So, go ahead. Pack that extra sweater. Bring the hairdryer. Throw in a few more pairs of shoes. Life’s too short to worry about whether you’re packing light enough. And if anyone gives you a hard time, just tell them Marcus sent you.
About the Author: Jane Doe is a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. She’s been to 47 countries and has yet to find a hotel hairdryer that doesn’t suck. You can find her on Twitter @janedoe or not, because she’s not that interesting.
