Luggage Queen

I suffer from a condition called "Over Packing".

Now in my defense, going on vacation for over two weeks where you dont have a washing machine is some what justifiable. But in general I always over pack. In fact my friends will mock me or congratulate me when I am not extremely excessive.

My first issue is shoes. I love shoes and you need a variety of shoes for a variety of outfits. I am not good and finding outfits that are all similar and in turn allowing one pair of shoes. Furthermore, I might have a few outfits that can go with one pair of shoes. But I am an "options" kind of girl. So, I could wear flip flops, but I could also wear cute sandals, or heels, or wedges.. the possibilities are endless. Furthermore, its all about my mood and where I am going to wear the outfit. I can dress it up or down with a simple pair of shoes.

So I may pack 10+ pairs for jeans/capris/shorts and 15 shirts/tops and another 10 tank tops. Which gives me TONS of options and I feel better about life. But obviously I need lots of shoes. Sometimes you have that ONE shirt that only goes with one pair of shoes. Logic would say dont take the shirt and then you wont need to take the shoes. But I am not logical when it comes to packing clothes and shoes.

I am the same way with bikini's. I have matching items as well as mix and match, then you have to bring cover ups. Do you see the problem here? So when all is said and done... whether it is for 3-4 away, a week or even two weeks. I will have one XL bag for clothes. I will have one smaller bag, like largest carry on size for shoes. Then I will have one of my largest beach bags, which I will pass off as a "purse" I will pass off for my personal item.

I miss the days of free checked luggage. Back then it would be two large backs, a carry on and a large personal item. I feel I have come a long way when I only take one large bag. Of course these rules dont apply when I am not flying. I can take just about as much as I want.

Packing for me is usually a 2 week process. It takes this long, because I have to tell myself in efforts to make everything fit and not be over weight.. that I have to get rid of certain items. So I pack, then it wont all fit. So I remove everything and pull out a few items I dont think I will need or think I can do without. This happens several times over the course of 2 weeks before I reach the actual items that are going.

At this point it is time to lay out all outfits to then decide which shoes are going. Its a very complex process of a person with OCD.

Needless to say, I have issues and I do plan on tackling them one day..... just not for this trip!

(This is what it looks like... )