“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” Matt. 6:25
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Two weeks before I’m due to travel, out comes the suitcase onto the landing. It is strategically placed to allow me to leisurely drift from room to room over the next fourteen days and drop things into it as they come to mind. Fast forward to two days before the trip. I’m frantically rushing around the house muttering to myself like a crazy woman as I mentally check things off my last-minute list. Needless to say, my husband especially likes being around me when I’m in packing mode. Perhaps even more so than when I’m preparing the house for company.
Attitude check
God repeatedly reminded me of the verse from Matthew 6:25 as I prepared to pack for a long trip this summer. I’d like to say I immediately saw everything in the right light and effortlessly breezed through packing for myself and the rest of the family with a permanent smile on my face, but we live in a fallen world and I didn’t! Instead, though, as I ticked things off my packing list I took the opportunity to think about why Jesus said those words and how they apply to me. He says these words a little after stating that we should store up treasures in heaven and not on earth where things are perishable (Matt 6:19-20). This also comes before his statement to “not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” Matt. 6:34.
We need food and clothes daily and my family would need to have the essentials when we got to our destination. It is wise to prepare for that. However, what was out of line was making a huge deal of planning outfits down to the right accessories, preparing snacks for every unlikely eventuality or packing kids’ activities which will most probably never get used. For me, those are ways of making my life as predictable and surprise-free as possible, at the expense of losing my peace and becoming anxious. It seems silly now, but in the moment completing those jobs seems to become all-important. God created us to trust and seek him first; not to fret as we go about simple daily tasks.
We need food and clothes daily and my family would need to have the essentials when we got to our destination. It is wise to prepare for that. However, what was out of line was making a huge deal of planning outfits down to the right accessories, preparing snacks for every unlikely eventuality or packing kids’ activities which will most probably never get used. For me, those are ways of making my life as predictable and surprise-free as possible, at the expense of losing my peace and becoming anxious. It seems silly now, but in the moment completing those jobs seems to become all-important. God created us to trust and seek him first; not to fret as we go about simple daily tasks.
Everyday life is easier when we stick to the basics and don’t overthink things which, at the end of the day, were only created to serve us and to be temporary. We were going on holiday to enjoy the blessing of spending meaningful time with family, not to dress to the nines each day, or replicate our little life here in another country. The basics also get done quicker and don’t overflow into “tomorrow” which will have enough trouble of its own.
Did I manage not to overpack this time? Not entirely! But, markedly better than other times. I skipped taking my laptop for a start! Did my internal attitude towards the packing experience start changing? I think so!
Packing tips
Everyone has their packing method and everyone’s is unique to them. Following numerous moves and holidays, here is what I’ve narrowed down as the most practical ways to pack:1. Place things so you can see everything from above as soon as you open your suitcase.
2. Folding clothes so they can be packed vertically saves space and keeps them from coming unfolded. I combined a few methods to this:
3. Placing long items along the long side of the suitcase seems to waste the least amount of space.
4. Laundry zippy bags are my best friend. They’re especially great for packing accessories and little baby clothes that would otherwise get scattered around the suitcase in transit.
5. Ziplock bags are another must. You can see what’s inside straightaway and they’re useful for keeping liquid containers isolated in case they leak.
6. A lesson I often fail to learn: if you’re visiting a similar climate to where you live, stick to what you know you regularly wear. You’re most comfortable in it and will revert to it anyway. Now may not be the ideal time to dig out those outfits you’ve kept for years in case the occasion arises. There’s usually a reason those clothes are in storage! If you have many said outfits, it may also be time for a trip to the local charity shop!
7. Packing backup items is perhaps wise if you’re going somewhere without amenities close by. Packing extra toothbrushes in case you drop one in the toilet (yes, I have packed extras with that very thought in mind) when you know you’ll be staying down the road from a major supermarket is not!
8. You don’t need to pack clothes for every single day of your holiday if you’re tight on space. Plan to wash a few non-iron tops by hand and reuse them. Soaking them in soapy hot water in the sink makes them feel good as new.
9. Lastly, weigh your suitcase at least 24 hours before your flight. This sounds obvious, but it’s often left too late in the packing rush and can cause a lot of unnecessary check-in hassle. Take it from me, there are more stylish ways to start your holiday than to stroll through security attempting to look put together under ridiculous layers of mismatched holiday clothes.
9. Lastly, weigh your suitcase at least 24 hours before your flight. This sounds obvious, but it’s often left too late in the packing rush and can cause a lot of unnecessary check-in hassle. Take it from me, there are more stylish ways to start your holiday than to stroll through security attempting to look put together under ridiculous layers of mismatched holiday clothes.
Top photo source: https://praisequotes.com/products/do-not-worry-poster-art-print-1