The Art of Overpacking (And Why I Still Forget Something Important)

Packing. It’s one of those tasks that feels deceptively simple but always ends in a flurry of last-minute adjustments and that sinking feeling when you realize you’ve forgotten something crucial. You’ve made your list, you’ve sorted through your clothes, and yet somehow, you always end up with a suitcase full of just-in-case items and one major thing you can’t live without—except you didn’t pack it. Why is packing such a fine art that none of us can seem to perfect?

Let’s unpack the struggle (pun fully intended), and dive into why I always overpack, yet still manage to forget something important.

The "Just in Case" Outfits

It starts innocently enough. You’re packing for a weekend getaway or a week-long vacation, and you know you definitely need a variety of outfits, right? So, you grab that sundress, the extra pair of jeans, and then... well, you never know! Maybe the weather will turn unexpectedly cold, so in go the sweaters and jackets, just in case. What if you get invited to a fancy dinner or end up doing something more formal? In goes that one outfit that might be suitable for an event that doesn’t exist.

Before you know it, you’ve packed half your wardrobe. You tell yourself it’s all in the name of “being prepared,” but in reality, you know you're just afraid of being caught off guard and not having options. And yet, no matter how many outfits you bring, you always end up wearing the same comfortable thing on repeat. Classic.

The 17 Pairs of Socks (and Still One Missing)

Socks—why is it that no matter how many pairs you pack, you still find yourself one short by day three? You’re starting with the best intentions: "I’ll pack seven pairs for a five-day trip, that should cover me." But then, there’s the “just in case” socks for emergencies, and let’s not forget about the special socks for that pair of shoes. Suddenly, you’ve packed 17 pairs of socks, each one seemingly essential for a different scenario.

And yet, no matter how many pairs you cram into your bag, one pair always seems to vanish, leaving you rummaging through your suitcase in a sock-less panic. It’s as if the sock fairy is out to get you, or maybe it’s just the fact that you always forget to check that you actually packed them until you’re already in the middle of your trip.

The Toiletry “Essentials” That Take Over Your Bag

Now, let’s talk about toiletries. You need shampoo. You need conditioner. Toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, hair ties, moisturizer… The list goes on. And somehow, you end up with three different kinds of shampoo because what if one doesn’t work out? And then there's the mini-toothpaste (because regular-sized tubes are too bulky), along with two different kinds of lip balms because the one you use at home just might not feel the same when you're traveling. I’m guilty of it. There’s the “just in case” travel razor, the body scrub you’ll probably never need, and somehow, I’ve managed to cram all of this into a bag that looks like it should belong to a seasoned backpacker, not someone going for a weekend trip.

Despite the packing chaos, you always forget something essential. Maybe it’s your favorite hairbrush or that one moisturizer that actually keeps your skin from drying out. Somehow, the items you actually need get buried under an avalanche of overzealous toiletries.

Packing Hacks: A Moment of Realism

I know I could do better. I tell myself every time, “This is it. This is the trip where I’ll finally pack light.” I’m going to embrace the minimalist approach. I’ll use a capsule wardrobe. I’ll bring only the essentials. But then I’m standing in front of my closet, just knowing I might need that extra pair of shoes for the hypothetical “night out” I’ve somehow convinced myself I’m going to have. And maybe my luggage isn’t big enough for everything, but guess what? I’ll make it fit.

The Packing Checklist: My Saving Grace (Sort Of)

If you’ve ever used a packing checklist, you know it’s a double-edged sword. It’s a great tool in theory—one where you methodically write down every item you “might” need to take. But here’s the problem: I’ll list the essentials (like phone charger, socks, and toiletries), but then I’ll add something like “extra pair of flip-flops in case I visit the beach” when I know full well my trip doesn’t involve any sand. The list expands, and before I know it, my “minimalist” packing plan has morphed into a suitcase that could carry a small army.

And let’s not even mention the items that never make it on the checklist—like the one important thing you can’t live without. The charger. The sunscreen. That one jacket that would have saved your life in the sudden rainstorm.

The Reality: A Balance We’ll Never Achieve

At the end of the day, packing is a delicate art, and no matter how much we try to simplify it, we’ll probably always overpack. But that’s okay! It’s part of the fun. Yes, we’ll carry five pairs of shoes for a weekend trip and still forget our toothbrush, but it’s the joy of preparing for all of life’s possibilities that makes it all worth it. If I forget something? It’s just another adventure, right?

So, while I can’t guarantee that I’ll ever master the art of packing lightly, I can at least embrace the reality of my overstuffed suitcase with a smile—and a few extra pairs of socks.

And hey, next time, maybe I'll just pack the basics... unless I need one more sweater, just in case.

TheBrookieCollective- Written with help from AI