How not to over pack...
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Anonymous
| I have anxiety and ADHD (medicated for both) and tend to overpack. A lot. We're getting ready to pack for 2 weeks in Hawaii... How can I stop myself from overpacking? I like to have options... Apparently a lot of options. |
Anonymous
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"How can I stop myself from overpacking? I like to have options..."
Finding the balance is hard when you're going to a new place for two weeks. A lot more detail is needed for people to help you... |
Anonymous
| Put everything you "think" you need out on your bed. Challenge yourself to remove half. Try to find clothes that go together in different combinations... I try to stick to 1 or 2 colors so I can mix/match. Will you have access to laundry? That will make it easier to remove items. |
Anonymous
| Eh, I embrace it. I overpack and IDGAF. As long as my bag isn't overweight, I don't care. I like options. Travel how you wish, you don't have to please those 'carry on only' folks. |
Anonymous
| Make a list. Decide what you need before you are looking through your closest. If you decide you need 4 tops then only select 4. Stick with your list don't just pack everything you like from your closet. |
Anonymous
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Think to a similar trip in the past, what items did you bring that you ended up not using?
Personally I'd start with shoes. They're bulky. I always stick with 2 pairs, no more. |
Anonymous
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My strategy is to pack more accessories and fewer clothes. And 279 pairs of underwear of couse.
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Anonymous
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For Hawaii the clothes should be thin enough to pack plenty.
2 suits (fight the urge to pack more even if you love that 3rd suit too) One cover up 3 shorts that are light enough to dry quickly 4-5 tops 2-3 lightweight dresses Remind yourself, you will want to shop there anyway so need room for bringing more back. You get the cute shirts and dresses there that are even more practical (they have all the beachy brands). Take one lightweight towel One reef safe sunscreen bottle (you can buy more there if you run out) |
Anonymous
| Packing cubes! Get a set of packing cubes- they make ones for different things and fit everything in those. It makes it much easier to stay organized for traveling. |
Anonymous
| I always pack a scrubba wash bag bc then I can tell my anxiety that if I need more clothes I can easily and cheaply wash the ones I have. |
Anonymous
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I have unmedicated ADHD and anxiety... and am a minimalist packer! Packed a 6 week trip to Iceland and France into a carry-on hiking backpack once, since I knew I had laundry facilities at destination. The hardest thing to pack was hiking shoes - I wore them on the flight.
The difference is that you've never felt pressure to pack less. I hate lugging suitcases and bags, so I make the effort to fit everything into a carry-on. Your packing will depend on whether you want to launder stuff at destination. Don't bring extras of anything. |
Anonymous
| Does any of your lodging have laundry? One of our HI hotels does so I am planning to run at least one load through before we switch to our second hotel. We will be there 10 days and I am planning for 5-6 days of clothes max. |
Anonymous
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Is it just you / adults? Or kids too?
Like you I have ADHD and tend to overpack. Moreover, when we went to Hawaii (for a family wedding) our kids were 12 months and 4.5 years and I was still nursing and had diapers etc. We had access to a washer but I think I mostly was in a bathing suit and quick-dry shorts or an easily pulled on casual dress. For shoes I used all 3 pairs (flip flops, hiking boots and sneakers) I assume I brought jeans but maybe not? I might have just brought quick dry hiking pants instead. I think I had 3 bathing suits, 1-2 pairs long pants, 2 pairs athletic shorts / quick dry and 1 pair more “dressy shorts”, a couple bras, socks and underwear; 4 t shirts, two light weight long shirts (that could double as sun protection), two casual pull-on dresses that could double as beach covers, and a rain coat. I brought two pairs of pjs (glad I did because my first post partum period came while I was in Hawaii) no idea if that’s over packing but it felt about right to me. If you’re also worried about kid stuff, we actually rented a basket of sand toys, age appropriate books, a few toys for the house etc and that was a great option! |
Anonymous
g Could you post your packing list? I would love to copy it! Not the OP but also planning a trip including hiking. |
Anonymous
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OP, I generally avoid overpacking by reminding myself that it's not the developing world, so if I forget something, I can buy it there.
Not perfect, but I generally travel with only a carryon. |