Chronic overpacked. Help!!!

[StereotypicalBarbie]

We’re off on a 7 night all inclusive break this week to Spain: me, DH, 2 DCs.

My whole life I’ve been an overpacker. I can remember going on first holiday alone as a teen and dragging case which I couldn’t lift as so heavy.

We’re never over weight with cases, in fact, we’re usually using about half luggage allowance but it’s the fact that lots of clothes don’t get worn and we normally bring back a “clean clothes” case.

We went on a city break at Easter and same thing.

DH and DC1 are better than me, but DC2 is similar and wants to take loads (she
loves fashion and has a lot of clothes).

And toiletries…. Don’t get me started!

Any advice, it actually stresses me out and then my DH is stressed seeing me stressed and then the recriminations at the end of the holiday when we’re packing to come home and putting all these clean clothes away. Recriminations is a bit strong but hopefully you know what I mean.

the cure is going backpacking for a weekend

tbh we usually pack on clothes change too little and buy at destination.

it's so nice being able to tip the contents of the suitcase directly into the washer when back home.

It sounds anal as but I've started packing for myself by outfit and (I know, this is sad) but I actually write my outfits down on paper so I can try to wear many items more than once. I also try to wear my "evening" items from the first week for daytimes (going for breakfast/mooch about town/day trip) Tue following where appropriate. This part of the packing means I also take clothes that aren't too dressy which again makes them easier to mix and match

This has massively helped my life long over packing compulsion.

I was very proud of myself this year having done 11 nights in Italy and show wise I just took chunky Birkenstock type plastic sandals for the day and two pairs of flat leather sandals, one black and one tan for night which o alternated. In previous years I would have taken double that but still only worn three.

Baby steps OP

Have a lovely holiday.

Pack 7 day outfits, and 4 evening outfits (each to be worn twice). Chose lightest /smallest options. 4 pairs of shoes, sandals/trainers/ evening shoes/flip flops.
Job done.

We're the complete opposite and never need hold cases, get it all in a cabin suitcase and still bring clothes home. Maybe I don't have enough clothes.

Hi from a fellow overpacker!

However I have coped this year with very strict baggage allowances (and where we had to carry our bags / cases around rather than just checking them in and not having to deal with the consequences of packing too much!).

One outfit per person, per day. Be realistic about where you will re-wear stuff (eg a dress only worn for dinner can be worn more than once, jumpers/ cardigans don’t need 1 per day etc.) If you’re putting in something that doesn’t belong to an outfit, take it out again.

1 spare outfit per person. You probably still won’t wear it all.

Know it’s not the end of the world if you need to buy more stuff. If you manage it for this trip you will find it liberating and easier to do again a second time. For me it comes from wanting to be prepared for everything but really…what’s the worst that could happen? You rewear something or buy something while you’re away. The world will not end!

Also, if you do take too much this time, write down what you‘ve taken that wasn’t worn when you get back. Might help you rationalise next time.

3 pairs of shoes max - trainers, sandals, flip flops.

I also keep notes of what I didn't use or need to. After a couple of holidays you definitely see a pattern

When you have decided all the shoes you are taking, remove half of them.

They are heavy, take up loads of space, and be honest - don't you just wear your 2 favourite pairs every single day?

1 comfortable pair for day, one pair for evening. Possibly flip flops depending on type of holiday. That's it.

I used to be the same but I’m the opposite since I became a backpacking camper. I actually challenge myself to taking less each time. It’s part of the fun. So you could start with only one case, then a smaller case, then share a case with your partner, then just a packing cube or whatever. Last time I flew I took a toddler (first time) and we took way too much but I still managed with only my handbag as a carryon.

I purchased these before holiday to wear in the day instead of flip flops (no longer find them comfortable) and have worn them to death since. They look great with shorts and too by the pool but also lovely with floaty dresses and maxi skirts. Really got my money's worth.

Surprisingly I can walk for miles in them and while my feet sweat occasionally it's barely noticeable

www.schuh.co.uk/womens/schuh-tiara-flatform-eva-footbed-white-sandals/1748601060/

I'm a cronic over packer too. Buy some Dr Beckman travel wash and some washing up gloves and wash anything you spill food on ( my son did this daily on holiday and everything came out clean in the sink).

I packed 8 outfits for 10 days and it was still too much. Pack thin and light clothes. Beach dresses for the day. I also take too many shoes. You only need flip flops, trainers ( well any walking type shoes) and one dressy pair.

I think aiming to where at least half what you take twice.

I'm flying Ryan Air next month so I will be wearing some of my very end of life clothes to bin while away.

Look at r/onebag on Reddit for tips. 3x tops and 3x bottoms = 9 outfits... Taking cabin luggage only means no waiting around for your hold luggage at the airport... Develop a sleek capsule of good quality things and you'll feel gradually ok about leaving stuff at home. Scary the first time, but INCREDIBLY freeing!

Each pair of ‘bottoms’ ie trousers/shorts/skirts should be able to be worn with 3 tops.
That way you have 3 days worth of outfit with just 4 items instead of 6.

Don't agree, who cares if the clothes go on a little holiday but never get out of the bag? If you have the allowance then crack on.

I make sure clean and dirty clothes do not meet, so if I bring back a whole suitcase of clean clothes it just goes back in the wardrobe.

I can do 7 days with only carry on but where is the fun in that? I want to dress up, mix and match and enjoy my clothes on holiday. Just ditch the guilt.

Depends if you having laundry facilities or not - assuming one does, I pack clothes for just over half the number of days I'm going. eg, we're off for 10 days tomorrow, somewhere hot. I'm taking 2 shorts, 4 tees and 3 dresses (aiming to buy another pair or shorts and dress while there as I need some new ones), couple of bras, swimsuit, 7 pairs knickers. And a pair of leggings to put under a dress if it's cold or for going home. Two sandals and a pair of light trainers.

It is harder if the weather is uncertain though!

Camping has cured me of overpacking.
Make a list. Stick to it.
Figure out what you need clean each day - like underwear.
If you're going somewhere warm, don't take jumpers etc for every day, just take maybe one long sleeved top and a loose cardigan.
Pack in outfits and take no more than one spare top/trousers. Be ruthless about what you can wear more than once.
Don't take multiple PJ's. You can wear a worn t-shirt in bed.
You really don't need gallons of toiletries either..just essentials.

Apart from toothpaste, toothbrush & deodorant, you don't really need toiletries - there will be shampoo & shower gel in the hotel, and anything else is non-essential.

Wow thank you everyone for the responses. Just reading them all and will reply again, just making notes! (Seriously I’m making notes)

If you’re not overweight on luggage does it matter? I’d rather be prepared and put some
clean clothes away than stress about not having enough.

I’d also guess if you’re not overweight on luggage you can’t really be a proper chronic overpacker. Those are the people who are panicking at check in and taking stuff out of their suitcase to get the weight down.

I've got to the point now I can do 7 or even 9 days in a carry on case:

0.5-1x dress per day, depending how hot the place I'm going it (wear an evening change in the day later in the holiday), usually avoid anything that comes up close under the arms as that way they're easier to rewear.

1x sandals, 1x flipflops (if pool/beach), 1x trainers (wear on plane).

1x cardigan/jumper which isn't actively offensive with all the outfits (again wear in the UK if you want it rather than taking a second).

1x leggings and vest (or trousers and a t shirt or whatever) in case of it being freezing.

1x scarf (silk, packs tiny), 1x shirt (or alternative not hot cover up for shoulders).

And then toiletries are a bit of a mare with the single bag thing but I take very mini suncream, shampoo, conditioner and deodorant, antihistamine cream, insect repellent, a tiny 5ml perfume, my inhaler. Have given up putting lipstick in my liquids bags and no one has complained for several holidays now.

Provided you aren't over the luggage allowance, why worry? I take a suitcase and will often bring back stuff unworn - but on the other hand I've taken things with me thinking "I probably won't wear that but just in case" only for it to be really useful because it was hotter (or colder) than realised... Don't beat yourself up, if you're in the allowance it doesn't matter.

7 nights AI - presumably you'll be spending most of your time in swimwear and at the hotel?

I would take:
2 or 3 swimwear
1 or 2 cover ups for breakfast/lunch
flip-flops
Sunglasses
Hat
Lightweight beach bag
Evening outfits x 4 max (probably 1 pair of metallic flat sandals that close with everything)
1 dress I can wear for sightseeing.
1 pair sports vest shorts socks trainers (more if likely to be doing more sporty stuff)

To travel: wear trainers, leggings and shirt or dress

7 knickers

You don't need 7 day outfits if you're just going to be by the pool.

Do you want my list?

I think through what I'll be doing each day and go from there. I also don't take one outfit per evening anymore. And if it's an AI hotel and I won't be going out out, I go even more casual.

Shoes: 1 x flip flop
1 x walking sandal- can be worn on plane
1 x nice sandal
1 x wedfe

@Hbh17 is that you DH? Exactly what DH says!

I’m going to go against the grain here!

If overpacking makes you feel better and more comfortable and you’re not over limits- do it! I’m doing 2 weeks AI next week and going with BA so will pack my full 23kg, take on a cabin bag and fill it (usually with one or two outfits and cossies in case my luggage goes awol) and a handbag. I like being prepared!

I plan outfits in advance when I go away but always put extra options in because I like the choice- I hate feeling like I have to wear a certain outfit of an evening and want to have a wardrobe to peruse!

The only thing I am strict on is shoes- I always have three. One pair of trainers for plane, fliplfops for the pool and sandals for evening.

Im also good with toiletries and decant everything. Throughout year I put any travel sizes I’ve finished or small pots in a clean makeup bag and store it so when it comes to travel I can use all the minis!