Works for me Wednesday: Packing Light

I’m not exactly what you’d call a globetrotter, but between the last couple of weeks and the few coming up, I’m all over the map: New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit. I haven’t spent a Saturday at home in more than a month. I love having buddies to visit across the country–and so lucky to have family far and wide–but truth be told, I’m not a great or particularly patient traveler. The less time I spend on a bus, a train, and especially a plane, the better, and I’ve found that one really easy way to expedite the process is to pack as little as humanly possible.

 

I’m brutal. Before I go, I make a list of only things I absolutely need–then cut it by half. I’m known for the slash and burn, often showing up at my destination with the pair of jeans I’m wearing, three or four tshirts, one all-purpose black jersey dress, and a granny sweater. If I’m feeling really crazy, I’ll throw in a pair of cute flats. 

 

Everything fits in a hardy duffel I’ve had since college (a quilted number that’s doubled for a pillow in a pinch) which isn’t too big for me to sling over my bony little shoulder. That way, I never have to check my luggage. I print my boarding pass at home, speed through security (do you all smile reflexively at TSA people? I’m absolutely compelled to grin at them. They’re so serious all the time), grab a cup of coffee, and go. No prisoners, here. 

 

 Obviously, I’ll never be able to avoid all the hassles that come with holiday travel–sitting on the runway for three hours in Philadelphia last weekend (with nothing to read!) was enough to remind me of that. But I find the less I have in tow, the quicker I get where I’m going–and the calmer I am when I get there. This time of year especially, that works for me.