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.

Get the 'weekend away' packing list sorted. If you are going away for more than a couple of nights, you don't need much more.

If you're well inside the allowance then what's the problem? Pack as many things as you like and don't stress. I enjoy having a choice. And yes, do swap a few essentials between suitcases so you're OK if one of the cases goes AWOL for a day or two.

@Caspianberg thank you. Going to look at packing cubes. I keep
seeing them on instagram. Are they worth it?
@Insommmmnia wow, that is very impressive. Enjoy your trip, I hope you have a amazing time.
@RosemaryDill that is also very impressive. It’s inspiring me to do things differently.

I struggle too

Haven't been on an aircraft for a while

I decant toiletries into small bottles or take small sizes

Try to have one colour theme so everything matches

don't you just wear your 2 favourite pairs every single day?

Yes but I don't know which 2 pairs they're going to be until I get there. It's annoying to think "I had a pair of shoes that would work so much better than either of these but I left them behind even though I had plenty of space."

Definitely decant toiletries into smaller bottles. And literally just take the basics. So I would take shampoo, conditioner, ONE styling product, deo, shower gel, absolute basic make up. No jewellery.

@DueyCheatemAndHow thank you. I do usually decant. Going to take the basics like you say and use bits provided in hotel. And make basics too like you say.

As long as you are below the weight limit for your check in luggage, and not trying to reduce further to go carry on only, I wouldn't worry about it . I often come back with a lot of unworn clothes - reason is mainly because I packed for situations that could have been - but weren't eg allowing for changeable weather that remained stable, or 'nice' clothes for evenings but then found the destination very casual - or that we ate out at lunch and not in the evening etc .

Hi @StereotypicalBarbie

I used to be a terrible overpacker, but for me it was a symptom of a bigger issue with my wardrobe in general, which was just not working for me. I had many clothes that weren't practical for my day to day life, or that didn't quite go with my other clothes, or that I didn't really love, or didn't fit properly. I felt overwhelmed by how much stuff I had, but at the same time, I felt like I had nothing to wear, despite having several wardrobes and chest of drawers full of clothes! The problem was that I didn't have the right clothes to suit my needs.

So just before our last house move, I got rid of about 70% of my clothes and made a promise I would be much more careful about what I buy in future. I now only buy something if I know it will work with my wardrobe and over the years, I have tried to invest in timeless, well-maid, versatile pieces in neutral tones, as these are easier to mix and match. I try to stick to classic looks in a limited palette of colours. I avoid buying clothes that feel "aspirational", because I know they will just sit in my wardrobe. I am happy to spend more on clothes because every item I buy gets worn a lot, so I feel like I get my money`s worth!

I found that having a more streamlined wardrobe with well-fitting clothes that are better suited to my lifestyle means that packing has become much less stressful. Usually I can decide a few days before I leave what I will be wearing and I don't need to pack so many different outfits to choose from.

I always make a list a few days before I go and try to stick with it. I should say that I don't mind wearing the same outfit more than once and I tend to go for a more casual look, but I imagine if you like dressing up and wearing a different outfit every day, you would need to pack more. But for me, being a light packer feels great!

Sorry just noticed a typo! I meant well-made, not well-maid 😂

Sounds a lot, I will pack half of it

@BlueBlazerBlack thank you, that’s really interesting and I get where you’re coming from.
I’ve also had a clothes cull at various points over the last few years but I just find it hard to get my head around ‘holiday wardrobe’. But I probably need to get my wardrobe into a more capsule style.
This thread has been so helpful, thank you for all the comments. It’s so interesting that many of you have said, your luggage isn’t overweight, don’t worry. So I guess I have made slow progress over the years when I used to be holding my breath putting my suitcase on the scales.
But it’s just also just this feeling I have that as a family we have a lot of ‘stuff’ though it’s probably all relative. I just don’t want to keep dealing with all these things, it’s sort of weighing me down mentally.
And when I say stuff, I don’t mean loads of fancy, expensive items, it’s just ‘stuff’.

I will update when I’ve packed. Currently procrastinating about starting!

Hi, I thought I’d come back and update if anyone’s interested.

We’re back from our week away and I managed not to overpack!!

I took (for 7 nights all inclusive)
3 bikinis - all worn
2 pairs of birkenstocks- both worn
2 dresses for evening - both worn twice
1 pair of trousers for evening - wore three times
2 t shirts - worn once with evening trousers
2 linen shirts - worn once in evening/day cover up/travelling home
6 day dresses(!) - wore three so that was my fail!
Wore trainers to travel in.

All in all, I’m pretty pleased with myself.

Things I didn’t need, travel iron (I rarely iron at home so not going to on holiday I realise), took two books, didn’t read either as borrowed a book at hotel which I read and returned but I’m going to get a kindle I think.
Took 2 beach towels but didn’t use.

Took minimal make up, one pair of earrings, necklace and wedding/engagement rings.

We had three medium suitcases instead of usual four.

We’ve got a load of washing but I’m washing clothes that have actually been worn.

Sorry can’t remember who mentioned it, but I’m also going to look at packing cubes as I think that will make life much easier. (Didn’t have enough time to order them for this holiday.)

Thank you for all the suggestions, it was much appreciated.

Thanks for the update. Did you enjoy your holiday?

@KirstenBlest thank you, yes it was really relaxing (and hot). Just what we were looking for.

We took backpacks as hand luggage to Italy flying ryan Air. Bag went under seat in front and had separate compartments for clean/ dirty/ passports and wallets etc. Was easy to manage as we had to travel on a train from pisa to Florence.
I remember I took 3 dresses, 1 Pair converse, cpl pairs leggings,loads of knickers, few prs trainer socks 1 cardi Didn't take Toiletries apart from sun lotion/ deoderant as hotel had the basics. I took make up too which was a waste of time but I did pack a small perfume bottle. Squeezed a bum bag in too for trips into town etc. Think I paid £30 for the bag. We were away 7 nights