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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I’ve got all these holiday toiletries but still somehow have nothing!

256 replies

everylittlethingis · 03/08/2026 12:42

I go away in three weeks. I like to take everything away with me because the last thing I want to be doing is running to a pharmacy to grab paracetamol or something.

I have somehow accumulated all of this during the last couple of months but also somehow have nothing. No meds or anything like that.

Both airports have the 2L rule as opposed to the 100ml.

AIBU to still feel entirely lost?!

I’ve got all these holiday toiletries but still somehow have nothing!
OP posts:
Original poster
everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:43

JoshLymanSwagger · 04/08/2026 13:41

Oh, and DH said to pack immodium...because of a rather trying trip (with his ex-w) up the Nile...💩

I will always pack Imodium after I shat myself on the tube!

OP posts:
WineAndBridgerton3322 · 04/08/2026 13:43

everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:32

So if you were sick on holiday, your partner would just leave you to it?!

Show quote history

I've never been so suddenly severely ill on holiday, with no warning. I'm in my 40s. Even a stomach bug doesn't come out of nowhere. Certainly a flu or a cold you can feel them coming too, enough warning to drop by a pharmacy on my way to the hotel. I'm sure it does happen but not frequent enough to justify carrying all that with you.

Original poster
everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:44

WineAndBridgerton3322 · 04/08/2026 13:43

I've never been so suddenly severely ill on holiday, with no warning. I'm in my 40s. Even a stomach bug doesn't come out of nowhere. Certainly a flu or a cold you can feel them coming too, enough warning to drop by a pharmacy on my way to the hotel. I'm sure it does happen but not frequent enough to justify carrying all that with you.

Show quote history

It’s happened to me.

It was awful and I felt like death. I was crying in bed, my parents were debating flying out to Norway to bring me home because I was that unwell. There was no way I was getting to a pharmacy, I barely made it to urgent care.

OP posts:
Roseonthebalcony · 04/08/2026 13:45

WineAndBridgerton3322 · 04/08/2026 13:43

I've never been so suddenly severely ill on holiday, with no warning. I'm in my 40s. Even a stomach bug doesn't come out of nowhere. Certainly a flu or a cold you can feel them coming too, enough warning to drop by a pharmacy on my way to the hotel. I'm sure it does happen but not frequent enough to justify carrying all that with you.

Show quote history

You can totally wake up with a stomach bug during the night.

Imightbeinthewronghere · 04/08/2026 13:49

everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:41

Okay, if being adult about it means making yourself worse, go ahead!

Show quote history

Most of the tablets you're talking about don't cure the illness, a cold is a virus, nothing will cure it, paracetamol etc alleviate the symptoms

Original poster
everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:49

Roseonthebalcony · 04/08/2026 13:45

You can totally wake up with a stomach bug during the night.

Show quote history

Ah but you forget, these are superior adults

OP posts:
Original poster
everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:49

Imightbeinthewronghere · 04/08/2026 13:49

Most of the tablets you're talking about don't cure the illness, a cold is a virus, nothing will cure it, paracetamol etc alleviate the symptoms

Show quote history

Yes which is very important in terms of a fever etc?!

OP posts:
Imightbeinthewronghere · 04/08/2026 13:50

everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:44

It’s happened to me.

It was awful and I felt like death. I was crying in bed, my parents were debating flying out to Norway to bring me home because I was that unwell. There was no way I was getting to a pharmacy, I barely made it to urgent care.

Show quote history

Are you always this dramatic?

If you were that ill, why didn't you call an ambulance?

Imightbeinthewronghere · 04/08/2026 13:50

everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:49

Yes which is very important in terms of a fever etc?!

Show quote history

A fever is just the bodies way of responding, so take it it will bring your temp down, it won't cure what is causing the temp

JoshLymanSwagger · 04/08/2026 13:51

@everylittlethingis What do you normally carry in your handbag each day when you go to work?

I'll go first:
V small purse containing £30 cash and some coins, a debit card and a tiny nail file.
Mobile phone.
Sunglasses (summer only)
Umbrella (only after checking forecast)
Painkillers.
Gaviscon.
Sanpro (pos inc a spare pair of pants)
Pen.
Folded "Tesco" bag for life.

Your turn.

Original poster
everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:51

Imightbeinthewronghere · 04/08/2026 13:50

Are you always this dramatic?

If you were that ill, why didn't you call an ambulance?

Show quote history

Are you always this rude?

OP posts:
Imightbeinthewronghere · 04/08/2026 13:52

@everylittlethingis do you suffer from health anxiety?

Original poster
everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:52

JoshLymanSwagger · 04/08/2026 13:51

@everylittlethingis What do you normally carry in your handbag each day when you go to work?

I'll go first:
V small purse containing £30 cash and some coins, a debit card and a tiny nail file.
Mobile phone.
Sunglasses (summer only)
Umbrella (only after checking forecast)
Painkillers.
Gaviscon.
Sanpro (pos inc a spare pair of pants)
Pen.
Folded "Tesco" bag for life.

Your turn.

Ha, a lot more than that!

My favourite is my “oh shit” kit, which has saved me on more than one occasion

OP posts:
Imightbeinthewronghere · 04/08/2026 13:52

everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:51

Are you always this rude?

Show quote history

I prefer honest.

Are you always so defensive?

Original poster
everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:53

Imightbeinthewronghere · 04/08/2026 13:52

I prefer honest.

Are you always so defensive?

Show quote history

You can prefer what you like, it doesn’t change how you are!

I fear that I may go against the talk guidelines if I say more, so I shall leave it there.

OP posts:
Imightbeinthewronghere · 04/08/2026 13:53

everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:51

Are you always this rude?

Show quote history

Blunt, I'll take that

Roseonthebalcony · 04/08/2026 13:56

Imightbeinthewronghere · 04/08/2026 13:53

Blunt, I'll take that

Show quote history

So sick of posters like you who continuously harass the OP over their preferences. It’s pathetic.

JoshLymanSwagger · 04/08/2026 13:57

everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 13:52

Ha, a lot more than that!

My favourite is my “oh shit” kit, which has saved me on more than one occasion

Show quote history

Oh blimey, I forgot - Car/house keys including a steiff teddy bear keyring which wouldn't get me far.🤦🏻‍♀️

Normally it's just keys, card and cash.

My car has sanpro, pants, pain killers...anything else is overkill for me.

Anyway, I hope you and your suitcase of the miraculous potions 😁😉 enjoy survive your trip.

✈

eta, there's also half a loo roll tucked away in a door pocket - purely for emergencies...😳

Imightbeinthewronghere · 04/08/2026 14:03

Roseonthebalcony · 04/08/2026 13:56

So sick of posters like you who continuously harass the OP over their preferences. It’s pathetic.

Show quote history

I am not harassing anyone, this is a forum for discussions.

Original poster
everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 14:13

JoshLymanSwagger · 04/08/2026 13:57

Oh blimey, I forgot - Car/house keys including a steiff teddy bear keyring which wouldn't get me far.🤦🏻‍♀️

Normally it's just keys, card and cash.

My car has sanpro, pants, pain killers...anything else is overkill for me.

Anyway, I hope you and your suitcase of the miraculous potions 😁😉 enjoy survive your trip.

✈

eta, there's also half a loo roll tucked away in a door pocket - purely for emergencies...😳

Edited
Show quote history

I have a carry on bag solely for toiletries!!

I prefer to be prepared. The one day I leave it behind, I end up needing it

OP posts:
Original poster
everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 14:13

Roseonthebalcony · 04/08/2026 13:56

So sick of posters like you who continuously harass the OP over their preferences. It’s pathetic.

Show quote history

It’s just pointless isn’t it?

OP posts:
Doone22 · 04/08/2026 15:24

WTAF??
Whats wrong with buying shampoo, conditioner, suncream, moisturiser out there?
If im going for 10 days or less I take a couple of everything in a small packet (2 immodium, 2 painkillers, 2 antihistamines, 2 plasters) plus mini toiletries (the 4 above). If more than 10 I dump the mini bottles and just buy out there.
I can't believe how much junk you're taking

Original poster
everylittlethingis · 04/08/2026 15:30

Doone22 · 04/08/2026 15:24

WTAF??
Whats wrong with buying shampoo, conditioner, suncream, moisturiser out there?
If im going for 10 days or less I take a couple of everything in a small packet (2 immodium, 2 painkillers, 2 antihistamines, 2 plasters) plus mini toiletries (the 4 above). If more than 10 I dump the mini bottles and just buy out there.
I can't believe how much junk you're taking

Tell me you’ve not read my posts without telling me. I have very sensitive skin so won’t be buying out there as I don’t want huge eczema flares!

OP posts:
Bjorkdidit · 04/08/2026 15:32

Plus in 10 days, apart from the suncream, you'll use hardly any of it so most of it will get wasted.

momtoboys · 04/08/2026 15:33

Annocrates · 03/08/2026 13:20

Op, I've returned from 8 days in Italy last week and here's my list (that I managed to fit into hand luggage only and used several items up leaving space for souvenirs).
Bodycare
Shower Gel
Body Sun Cream
Aloe Vera After Sun Cream
Hand Cream
Feet Balm
Body Moisturizer
Body Shimmer Moisturizer
Body Spray
Perfume
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Mouthwash
Floss
Contact Lenses
Contact Lense Solution
Sanitary Products
Loofah
Razor
Foot File
Nail File
Nail Clippers
Tweezers
Haircare
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hair UV Protection Leave-In Spray
Hair Oil
Hair Mousse
Hair Brush
Hair Scrunchie
Hair Claw
Hair Elastic
Hair Straighteners
Skincare
Face Sun Cream
Face Mist
Face Moisturizer
Face Serum
Eye Cream
SPF Lip Balm
Face Cleanser
Micellar Water
Face Mask
Under Eye Patches
Cotton Pads
Cotton Buds
Make Up
Make Up Brushes
Beauty Blender
CC Cream
Concealer
Setting Spray
Face Powder
Bronzer
Blusher
Highlighter
Mascara
Eyeliner
Eye Pencil
Eyebrow Gel
Lip Gloss
Lipstick
Cosmetic Cotton Buds
Healthcare
Vitamins
Plasters
Antiseptic Wipes
Paracetamol
Lemsip Sachets
Beechams
Imodium
Antihistamine Tablets
Kwells Motion Sickness Tablets
Antihistamine Cream
Burns Cream
Eye Drops
Bug Spray
Miscellaneous
Antibac Gel
Tissues
Antibacterial Wipes
Blotting Papers
Chewing Gum
Sewing Kit
Scissors
Pen
Magic Leaves Laundry Sheets
Tide Pen
Laundry Pegs
Sandwich Bags
Bag Clips
Clingfilm

I have it saved in my notes app and reuse every year. I hope it helps.

Christ on a bike!