The Art of Packing

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“Strip away the non-essential, and the essential will reveal itself.” – Tao Te Ching

Mr. D has been really excited about vacation, or as he says it “bacation.” For several days now he’s been piling rocks into the car for us to take TO the beach. He tells me, “This is a rock for vacation water.” Also, in his suitcase – two pairs of pjs, a robe, three books, and a toy boat.

What’s not in his suitcase? Undies, socks, or shoes. But hey, he’s only three-years-old.

Miss O at seven-years-old is a little more practical. She’s got her toiletries, two pairs of pajamas, some skorts and tank tops, her iPad, and a lot of room for stuffies.

Also, no undies, socks, or shoes.

Packing fascinates me. Mostly because it can be so illuminating to see what’s top of the list. Like on mine is a scrub brush for dishes because we’ve rented this AirBnB before and they have no tools for scrubbing dishes. Also, undies and socks because last time I was so focused on packing those for everyone else that I forgot my own.

Isn’t that terribly utilitarian? What about remembering to not bring my busy-ness? And speaking of things to leave at home: my penchant for schedules, the belief that I have to get everything done on my to-do list, and my expectation that I’ll time while on vacation to catch up on some emails I missed. Instead, I can have room to bring an expanded sense of wonder.

My inspiration for this is from one of my favorite meditations from my meditation teacher, Deirdre. With our eyes closed, she leads us through feeling the pack on our backs as we hike down a trail. We feel the breeze tickle across our skin, the sun peak through the trees to create occasional warm patches as we glide along the path. But then, when we are a couple of minutes in, we realize that the pack on our backs feels heavier than the water and snack we put in there for the trip.

Deirdre offers us the opportunity to sit down and unpack what we don’t need. For me that is when I get a good look at the things I carry along without thinking about it: the worries, the hidden expectations, the weight of past failures, the anxiety about where I’m going in the big picture. Then, as I repack my backpack, I can decide which one of those things, if any, are worth bringing along.

To me it’s an exercise of intention. It’s okay if I want to bring along whatever agenda I have for a vacation as long as I’m doing it purposefully. As soon as I say that, I know that I don’t want to. As much as I gently tease my kids for what they don’t bring along, it also reminds me that they might have the right spirit.

When I was coordinating with my friend, Eric, when we should meet up to leave for “bacation,” he offered we better meet earlier. Because after hearing what Mr. D was packing to bring to the beach, he quipped it might take him some time to get his driftwood in the car…

51 thoughts on “The Art of Packing”

  6. Funny to read this right now as I just finished typing an email to my sister with my packing tips. She’s taking a trip this summer and it’s her first time on a plane in decades. I’m a seasoned traveller and I’ve mastered the art of packing light. My biggest tip for clothes packing: “Pack what you think you need and then take half of it out and put it back because you probably won’t wear it.”

    Have a wonderful vacation!

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    1. Oh, that’s great advice, Michelle. Thanks for weighing in with that. I’m going to take half the rocks out of the car right now… 🙂

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  7. Have a fun vacation. Oh, I’m fascinated too with what we pack and don’t pack. In the past I was usually the last one to pack, usually helping the kids. The problems was that I would tend to start throwing my things together without any much thought. I would over-think it and before I knew it I would be loaded down to the gills. Oh, the fun. Have a great time.

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  8. Lots of smiles this morning reading this Wynne. I had the girls for a bit before they left for CO and I could tell their mom packed for them. I just laughed pondering how long their suitcases were going to stay pristine. I guess all of one day, but they did have clean undies! Enjoy the beach 🙂

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  11. How adorable that your son wants to take rocks to the water. On our last weekend getaway to the beach in Mexico, my husband forgot swimming trunks. We spent several hours trying to find some! have a wonderful weekend 😊

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  12. This post is excellent (as usual) and just what I needed to read. Larry and I are headed to the lake on Sunday for an extended stay. Our hope is to relax after our time with the grandkids and restore. I’ve never considered what not to bring but now I am. Let’s not overpack, over-schedule, or over-expect anything this week. Let’s just see what the universe brings us to enjoy. I think we’ll both be rather pleased. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures upon return. Be safe. Much love and hugs, C

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    1. Oh, I love hearing that you are going to the lake to rest up after your busy 2 1/2 weeks. I hope the Universe delivers a delightful rest and restoration after your travels and your charges! I look forward to hearing about your adventures too! XOXO – W

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  14. Oh a beach bacation sounds so wonderful. Is this for your upcoming long weekend? I do hope you all have a great time.

    I do love how you used the analogy of packing to talk about what we pack and don’t pack in other ways with us. I agree with you that it’s really all about intentions.

    I love that you give your kids the freedom to explore their own intentions.

    Have an amazing time!

    PS. Did you mean to spell out Mr D’s full name in your last paragraph? I do that with T sometimes too. 😆

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    1. Thank you so much for the catch about Mr. D. Nope, I didn’t mean to do that so I appreciate you mentioning it.

      It’s nice to give the kids the freedom – but boy does it make for a full car! 🙂 Hope you all enjoy your weekend too!

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  15. My mom was great about having a small, inexpensive surprise for us on a car trip, a coloring book and crayons for example. My dad’s rule is if you can carry your bags around the block, it’s the right amount. Remember your own swimsuit! 🙂

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  16. I love what the little ones pack. My son always wanted to bring all his toys on vacation: trains and more trains, and a few cars. I tend to plan my packing days ahead, while my husband always packs minimally and last minute when I’m trying to go to bed and actually get some sleep before a long travel day. But the past several years have been filled with little to no travel, yet releasing lifetimes of burdens and other weighty things, courtesy of a Kundalini awakening. This summer, my son and I will once again, for the first time in far too long, pack for a trip: this time a car trip with him now a licensed driver to share in the driving. Have a wonderful trip!

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    1. Oh, a car trip with your son and he can drive. That sounds fun. I love that he used to want to bring his trains on vacation. So delightful.

      It sounds like you’ve done the work to release so much – talking about “unpacking.” Wow, that’s amazing work and I’m sure it’s serving you well. Hope you have a lovely weekend!

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  19. Oh you have the right idea Wynne. Travel light, and leave the schedule behind. I love how the kids packed the most important things, to them, and you provide them the liberty to do so. A road trip means those cases don’t have to have a 50lb limit. What a relief, because bringing rocks is important. Enjoy your bacation with or without underwear. 🤣

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  21. Ah, Eric, what a jokester. And this: “Also, undies and socks because last time I was so focused on packing those for everyone else that I forgot my own” is so priceless!! 😛 I hope you’ve been having a terrific time!

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  22. Packing and unpacking has always been a nightmare for me. I would like to find everything I need wherever I go and travel just with a small back pack for my kindle, I-pad, chargers, and something to eat during the trip. But the meditation is excellent! Thank you for sharing it Wynne!

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