The dreaded packing

This is it, the time has come for me to empty the contents of my wardrobe into my suitcase. This may be easy for the average person who has a couple of outfits they wear, but not me. I have a large wardrobe followed by a chest of drawers, both are stuffed full which is probably the beginning of my issue. However, as I knew this day was coming I have been keeping track of what I have been wearing during summer, so I know what to pack for Australian winter.

Although I have a slight obsession with buying clothes, I do really enjoy clearing my wardrobe out. There is something therapeutic about, taking everything out, trying it all on and deciding if it’s going to be worn any time soon. Furthermore, I really enjoy reorganising my drawers, making my clothes neat and tidy again – like I said, therapeutic.

Over summer I managed to clear out 5 bin liners worth of clothes, I was hoping this would make my life easier, but believe it or not, my wardrobe was still full (one of my friends even asked me if i’d actually had a clear out, success? I think not). The clearing out of clothes did, however, become a success for my sister and brothers girlfriend, as they get to go on a free shopping spree and take what they wish.

As I said all this should make the task of packing significantly easier, it did not. The stress begun when I had to choose which suitcase I was going to use. My suitcase, which I bought when I was 17, does not hold 30kg (this is our baggage allowance for all three flights, woohoo). It came down to the suitcase my parents have had for 30 years, or a soft bag which my brother suggested I stuff full as it’s easier to mould.

Turns out Iain needed a suitcase so we’re taking them both, even though the 30-year-old case’s wiring is sticking out (Iain is using that one).

The next challenge was, do I fold or roll my clothes? As a method of procrastination I spent some time watching Youtube videos about packing your life into a suitcase. However, this was extremely unhelpful and only furthered my anxiety and stress about beginning the pack. I ended up watching an elderly lady roll her clothes and advise on what to do if you do not want something to get wrinkled – I don’t think wrinkled clothes are an issue in my case. As you can see, I ended up down a rabbit hole of youtube videos about packing but not how to pack efficiently.

After all the stress I felt about packing, the clothes I had laid out on the floor took up less than the full suitcase (around 2/3) and I hadn’t packed anything into my backpack yet. I suppose that’s tonights challenge, packing my backpack, fold or roll? Here’s hoping it’s not going to stress me out as much.

One thing I have learnt from packing is that I am a hoarder of clothes, I never give them away as I always think What if? What if one day that becomes fashionable again? what if one day I find something amazing to wear it with? Secondly, I have realised that I contribute to fast fashion a significant amount and I do not know how I feel about it. Recently, I have been attempting to buy things from the likes of Depop as it is better for the environment and most of the time you can find more than what you were looking for. My most recent shopping spree was on Ebloggers, who donates the money people spend on buying clothes, to charity.