Packing is an up-hill battle

I really tried to pack light for this trip I’m on right now. I forced myself to use a carry-on sized suitcase and I even lightened my purse. Why does it feel like I still brought too much stuff? Luckily W came on this four-day trip with me this time, so when I didn’t have any more room in my suitcase I just added my extra stuff to HIS! I feel like that’s cheating though, right?

I don’t know how in the world I’m going to pack for my three-week trip in March. Especially since I’m going to COLD places. Just now, I was thinking I didn’t even pack enough warm stuff for this trip, because I’m freezing and wish I had more layers. But that would have involved me packing a bigger suitcase, which I was trying to avoid! I guess there really is no way around it. I am a naturally freezing-cold person, and even in Southern California I wear three layers of clothing in the evening.

I’ve already been planning for weeks, what I’m going to pack for this upcoming March trip where I have to go to Northern California, and New England for, actually, almost a whole month. I’m going to be pretty much just wear the same outfit every single day I think – skinny jeans, boots, black turtleneck, cardigan, and thick woolly sweater; and a Pashmina. And a coat. That should keep me warm enough.
The other problem with packing is my excessive amounts of toiletries and hair-styling tools. Especially now that my hair is absolutely impossible to style, I have to bring a blow-dryer, a hot iron, two brushes, and a pick. Not to mention piles of bobby pins and barrettes. Then there’s the five different hair products: shampoo, conditioner, styling cream, root-boost spray, styling putty, and hairspray. Wait, that’s six products. Ridiculous. Add that to my body lotion, face cream, night cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, makeup remover, cotton balls, nail polish remover, ear plugs, benadryl, advil, chapstick, and all my makeup! It’s too much stuff! I am so high-maintenance!

One of my trips in November, I didn’t pack the blow dryer. That was my tiny attempt at packing lighter. Maybe that will have to be the case again. Or I just pack that one outfit like I said, because I never end up wearing all the clothes I bring anyway, and that should leave me enough room for my entire bathroom. Thank you very much.