Leaving the Kitchen Sink At Home

It’s a week before my vacation and I’m starting to make lists of things I need to take care of. At work, I’ve got to clear the decks of pending assignments and projects so I can hand everything off this Friday. Online, I’m working with the MGF Staff for a week’s worth of Lily-free content (again…I’m that anal retentive). At home, I’ve got laundry to finish, rooms to clean, and things to put in order before our flight time.

And then there’s the packing.

Having traveled many times in my life, I generally LOVE packing. To my brain it signals the start of whatever adventure I’m heading to. For this vacation, Lenny and I bought a beautiful new Samsonite rolling suitcase. OMG! This thing is nifty! This thing can spin 360-degrees on its wheels. The case is so deep, that Chinese guy from “Ocean’s Eleven” could fit in there with room to spare. It’s got enough pockets that I could put every single gadget we own in the suitcase along with our clothes. As Lenny put it, “It’s a closet on wheels.”

Therein lays my latest problem. We are going to be gone a total of FIVE days. And two of those days will be taken up with travel. So legitimately, we really only need four days of clothing. I took a good, hard look at the suitcase last night. And I already knew the battle had begun. Sure…I’d said we had to under pack the suitcase so we’d have room for the gifts and shopping purchases we’d be making.

But I knew the truth. I knew come Friday afternoon, that Samsonite would be FILLED. I’d start a small list in my head. As the week progressed and the trip came closer, Lenny and I would start adding things. It’d start off simple. You’ve got your just-in-case clothing (“What if we get invited somewhere fancy?”). Then comes the easy-to-justify stuff (“But my hairdryer is better than that lame hotel one!”). Finally it devolves into paranoid-I-can’t-live-without-it items (“But I can’t sleep anywhere without my own pillow!”)

Why are humans so attached to their stuff? I mean, in all likelihood, I’m coming back to my house. I’ll resume my normal existence when I get home from my short attempt at jet-setting. So I can do without my own hairdryer and my favorite pillow. But why is it so hard to convince myself of these things?

Human nature is to gather material possessions. Even the humblest of people likes to splurge on themselves once in awhile. And I know it’s true, we can’t take it with us in the end. However, while we’re here, we’d like to enjoy our stuff!

But can’t we rely less on it? Just for a little bit? For those of you who are saying, “Silly, Lily. Of course we can live without it,” let’s play a little game. Ladies, when was the last time you cleaned out your purse? Guys, when was the last time you cleaned out your wallet? And I mean REALLY cleaned it out. You actually THREW stuff away. I bet dollars to doughnuts that the thought of throwing away a receipt from a business lunch that happened two years ago scares a majority of us to death! And heaven knows…you’re going to need that six-month old Peppermint Lifesaver at the bottom of your purse just in case Brad Pitt shows up at your door to make out with you.

It’s a simple goal: Pack only what you need. And this isn’t just about the suitcase and material possessions, it’s about life. Too many times and in too many ways, we as people burden ourselves with unnecessary weight. It could be physical, emotional, or mental. Because we’re so used to gathering and possessing, its no big shakes to pick up those extra things to put in your suitcase.

Oh but think about how much easier life would be without all that extra weight!

“Packing less” is as simple as keeping a positive attitude. For example, I try really hard not to hold grudges. To me, they seem like extra energy that I could be using towards, let’s say learning another language. I also do my best to filter out the unconstructive negative things said about me. It’s kind of funny, sometimes I find myself weighing these things in my head. “Hm. George said he sees me as a goody-goody kiss ass. Is this really worth carrying the weight? Nah. Oh, look! A slice of cheesecake…”

Yeah. My mind is also like an 8-year old in serious need of her Ritalin dose.

If I carry less, it won’t be so heavy. If I just sift it down to the important stuff, I’ll be fine in living my life. It’s an easy lesson to learn…but it’s one of those lessons that will take a lifetime to master. I figure I’ll be packing and unpacking most of my life. And as long as I end up with fewer items in the suitcase at the end of each re-packing, I’m doing okay.

Alrighty. I’m going to start small. I’m going to start with packing up the Samsonite. For this trip, all I need are two pairs of jeans, a pair of khakis, two sweaters, two tops, and my faithful black dress to wear. I only need a pair of flats, a pair of heels, and 5 days worth of intimates. That’s it. I don’t need anything else. I’m good to go. Umm…except for my hairdryer. I really do need my hairdryer.

What? It is BETTER than the one at the hotel!