Why I’m Terrible at Packing Light

Even when I first set off on this trip around the world, I bucked the trends and packed lots of clothes, shoes and underwear.

It was indecisiveness, coupled with my lack of wanting to leave anything that could be potentially useful behind. Of course, I quickly found that I didn’t use some of it and that some would gather dust in the crevices of my bag over the course of a year, but some items became more valuable to me than I ever could have imagined.

Have I ever regretted not packing light? Not really. Here’s why.

Jeans

Despite what a lot of people say, jeans are probably one of the most versatile things you can pack (unless you are planning on spending your time solely in South East Asia and even then, trust me, there may be monsoon days when you will be glad of a pair of jeans). You can wear them on travel days, on cold overnight buses and you can dress them up for an evening out. They provide warmth and sturdiness that many flimsy dresses and travel-style clothing can’t. I may curse at the fact that they make my bag heavier, but I’ve been damn glad of them more times than I can count.

Underwear

There are some people that will have you believe that you should only pack two or three pairs of travel (quick-drying and sweat resistant) underwear and that is it. Honestly, I had never even heard of travel underwear before I started researching this trip. And it looked ugly. Plus, I could buy several pairs of nicer underwear for the price of one of their garments. So I did. And having been in places with a lack of laundry facilities, I’m so happy about this decision. I would not want to have to rotate the same pair of underwear for several days straight to only be able to handwash them before wearing them again. Yuck. Also, underwear really isn’t that heavy to carry. Just saying.

Makeup

Makeup is another thing that is largely shunned by girls taking an extended trip. Do I wear as much makeup on a regular basis as I did when I was at home? No. But do I appreciate having concealer, mascara and some lipgloss available when I’m going out or want to make myself feel good every now and then? Absolutely. I now travel with almost my full makeup kit, simply because it means I’m prepared for every situation and it feels more appropriate to wear it in Europe where it is cooler and doesn’t automatically melt off your face.

A Purse and Handbag

The money belt that my sister bought for me before we left was quickly turned into a spare change purse that sits at the bottom of my backpack. I have never used it. Nor have I ever felt the need to use it. I carry a purse much like the one I used to carry at home, with my money in it, in an across-the-body handbag (just a fashion one, not an expensive travel bag). I honestly believe that the more travel-specific clothing and accessories you wear, the more you stand out as a target because locals just don’t dress like that.

Hairdryer and Straighteners

I’ve talked about why I always pack my straighteners, so I won’t harp on about it again. Needless to say, over eighteen months on, I’m still using both of these items.

Several Pairs of Shoes

Unless you are planning on spending months at the beach, and only at the beach, you are going to need more than just a pair of flip flops. If you plan on doing any hiking, you will want some sturdy shoes. If you will be going out in the evening and don’t want to wear said sturdy shoes, you may need some sandals or pumps. I tend to travel with around 3 or 4 pairs of shoes at any one time – at some points this consists of 2 pairs of flip flops and my walking shoes, at others it is 1 pair of flip flops, a pair of ballet-pumps and my walking shoes (plus perhaps a small pair of boots or trainers). Having travelled around much of Europe and the differing temperatures and fashion styles, I’ve been glad of all of them.

Despite carrying all of this, plus my clothes, technology and toiletries, I have never felt that my bag was unbearably heavy. Nor have I ever struggled to find appropriate clothing to wear. I will buy clothes and shoes as I need them and either post unwanted items home or throw them away if they have become unusable. Where I can, I try and get things fixed on the road.

Needless to say, it is all a matter of choice. Of course some will balk at my packing choices, but really it comes down to what makes you comfortable. All I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t listen to anyone else’s packing advice when making your own decisions – just go with what you think you’ll really need and use.