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[quote=Anonymous]

It sounds like anxiety. You need the security of your stuff everywhere you go.

If you start with that realization, perhaps you'll pack with more self-awareness that whatever you bring won't shield you from harm. YOU will protect yourself from harm. If there are affordable laundry facilities where you're going, then you can bring a capsule wardrobe and wash your clothes as needed. I like to change my shirts just like a PP said, because I don't want to stink in the second half of the day, but I'm still a minimalist packer because I wash my clothes frequently on vacation. When it comes to underwear: I remember my parents bringing a short clothe-line, small piece of soap and just washing underwear in the sink of the hotel room, then hanging it to dry. It's the easiest thing to wash, even if you don't have a laundry!

But what I wonder about when I read your update is: why duplicates? I don't even own so much stuff in my house, let alone bring it on vacation with me. Why do you need 5 swimsuits? Most people bring 1-2, then rinse and hang to dry overnight. Swimsuits don't need to washed with detergent every time you use them. Why extra pairs of glasses? Why bring many pharmacy items when surely there's one where you're going? I pack a little first aid kit with tylenol, alcohol wipes, bandaids and such.

I think, for you, what would work best is that you designate a bag or suitcase and you decide that you're going to bring whatever you want, but that if it doesn't fit, it's not traveling. It will force you to sort out in your brain which item really needs to come on your trip. It will be both an intellectual/organizational challenge as well as a therapy exercise for your anxiety.

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