Why do people act like it’s a moral failure to not pack light? AIBU to enjoy taking stuff on holiday with me?

[igotitbadforyou]

I’ve noticed this on a lot of packing/holiday threads. Lots of sneering and looking down on people for packing more than is “needed”.

Technically you could go on holiday with the clothes on your back and a spare pair of underwear and that be that, but I enjoy having options and taking some of my home comforts with me.

Why do people act like it’s wrong to do this? It doesn’t impact anyone else.

I never ever wear anything twice - apart from maybe jeans / trousers. Ever. What’s to be proud of about overpacking? It’s no more morally worthy than minimal packing.

I LOVE packing. I LOVE planning my outfits. (I outfit plan every Sunday so I know what I’m wearing every day this week already, even though I’m not going away!) But I’ve travelled a lot so have managed to wean myself off a lot of “just in case” thinking.

Do I personally do everything perfectly? No, but do I continually try to do better? Yes. Can we all make improvements? Yes, but only when we think it will make a difference. And I think the stats from this poll are actually very demonstrative of that.

Yes, but whilst I might take more luggage than you on holiday, I'm fairly sure there are things I do that are more environmentally friendly than things you do.

None of us has a perfect footprint, which is why singling out one habit and using it as a measure of someone's environmental responsibility seems rather pointless.

You’re going to need a holiday after this thread @igotitbadforyou !!

are you the Op with the brother who isn’t taking you to the airport?

Who?

I’m not really sure why people think this thread has been stressful? To be honest it’s given me a good laugh!

You didn’t ever lend your mum your pillow?

Who are these people taking such a critical and vested interest in your packing? Who even sees what you’re packing if you’re travelling alone?

I’m saying it’s more something I’ve seen on social media etc., not personally targeted towards me

I would’ve, if she’d not laughed at me for bringing it and told me it was completely unnecessary

Oh right
in that case, if no one is making out to you that you’re over packing then just ignore social media.

I grew up in the days of a free 23kg suitcase and I have found it hard to adjust!

yes! A 23kg bag each, but there were no fines for being overweight. Our local airport would allow you to take 33kg before you got told to take things out

Ive done 10 days in Italy for the past 3 yrs with just a Ryan Air carryon. That included a couple if tshirts i washed, a bikini, a beach towel, a dress, flip flops, toiletries and medication and a couple pairs underwear and socks. This year ive give got a bit more space as the size has gone up 5cms!!!. wash and wear that's the key for tshirts and wash my one pair of shorts every couple of days!!@

But do you not get bored of not having any options? What do you wear out to dinner?

Nope. I'm not a big clothes person so this doesn't bother me. I go solo and not having to lug a case around is very freeing!!!. plus I dont go out to "dinner" I tend to graze throughout the day so getting dressed up doesn't bother me either

Exactly. It would be weirder not to smell. A day’s sightseeing in 35C would make my back drip with sweat, sorry TMI!

I make a list in advance of what I intend to wear every day and night. I keep previous years’ lists too for inspiration. My sister takes hardly anything. We are very different!

I do this as well. I still take a lot of stuff but it does mean that most of what I take gets worn apart from the ‘contingency pants’. I try to think through what we might be doing each day so that I’m not caught out by not having trainers, an extra pair of shorts etc.

The only exception is gym gear which I religiously take away on the off chance that I fancy a workout, yoga class or weights session (none of which I do regularly at home). It’s been on more holidays than DC and inevitably comes back in its packing cube.

Amen to this op, went on a four day trip away with amazing packer friends who only brought the small bag so I copied them. It was miserable having no choice of clothes or toiletries!!! Can I ask how people do the perfume thing if you’re not checking in? Or do you just live without?

I use an atomiser pod. You can get them from Superdrug.

I have long thick curly hair I can get through a bottle of conditioner in a week on holiday with lots of swimming!

I have some lovely clothes that I can only wear on holiday and I am damn well going to wear them! I love taking my 'special' (aka expensive 😂) toiletries too. I also hate having to pare stuff down for a small case, it takes me literally days of packing and unpacking and repacking and on and on... I'd rather just have a big case and chuck everything in 😁😁

Yes I have my specific holiday clothes too! Love them! Generally much short shorter and dresses than I would ever wear in the UK !

I’m doing the same these days 😂 I’m driving from Ireland, staying a couple of nights in London and driving to Southampton. I’m tired of luggage weight anxiety!

I'm a very light packer, I have no problem with wearing the same 5 outfits for weeks as long as I can do some washing (and ironing).

I like traveling light because I love being nimble, able to walk long distances and ready in 10 minutes. For that reason, I don't really like to travel with heavy packers, it's a clash of traveling philosophies.
Last time I traveled with one, her stuff were everywhere in the flat, and every morning and every evening it took her over an hour to get ready to go out.
And don't get me wrong, I love fashion, I love being well dressed, but I rely on minimalist items that all work with each others when I travel.
I don't even own a suitcase actually.

Honestly? It only bothers me (either way) if someone else’s packing inconveniences me. I host people quite often - the people who turn up with not enough stuff (they are free to use my washing machine) or unsuitable stuff cause more of a problem than those who overpack. Having someone announce that they forgot to pack shoes for their children and then gaze at you expectantly is annoying.

In the same way, I was on a flight home from Finland a few years ago. So many people had brought only hand luggage and it got to the point where they announced that, unless people started checking in their bags, the plane couldn’t take off.

I see what people have said about the Heathrow / Gatwick express having people with large suitcases but I think that’s to be expected on the airport trains.