Rant: A Note on Packing

On Monday I head back to school and as my friends start to converge on the lovely college town I realize how drastically different my perspective on preparations are.  This rant is mostly inspired by a cyclical argument from dinner last night with some friends and maybe this doesn’t apply to everyone, so apologies upfront.  That said, I’ve found that I pack light compared to everyone.  For example to go abroad for 6 months I brought a backpack and one medium sized piece of rolling luggage.  It goes beyond packing, I guess I just don’t have that much stuff.  I seem to be the only person I know who still only has one pair of sneakers/everyday shoes.

The discussion for the week is all about getting ready for school.  Am I mentally prepared?  Sure, why not.  Do I have a way to get there?  As of two days ago, yes.  Have I started packing?  No.  That’s where I get lost.  Packing is a singular action that takes an hour at most.  I don’t need to prepare to start, dive in and then take breaks, only to return to the task like a dreary coal miner.  You just take your stuff and transfer it into a bag.

I am flabbergasted at people who lay things out or think through the process like a you’re chosing a life partner amongst a lineup.  I’m also lost at people who bring so much stuff.  If anything, that makes the process so much easier.  Dump it in some luggage or just cram it in the car.  I eagarly await the usual image of freshman showing up on campus with cars stuff like a tube of cookie dough.  Just one prick of a toothpick and it all spills out.