How many times have you returned from a trip only to discover that at least some of the clothes you packed in your suitcase were left folded without ever seeing the light of the day? Well, I do not about your traveling packing skills, but I had to work on mine before being able to state that I am now officially a "light" traveler!

I still remember the first time I began packing for a trip overseas and laying out all those stuff I originally thought of carrying to the other side of the Atlantic. My bed was full and the carpet around it seemed pretty packed as well. I panicked when I dragged my "perfect-sized" suitcase inside the room only to discover that it could barely fit one third of the things I have placed on or near the bed. I recall laughing at the sight of the suitcase in comparison with the heavy load scattered around my bedroom. There was no way anything would fit in there! I placed the suitcase at an empty corner and before aborting this impossible mission, I tried to check off my list what seemed as unnecessary or over the top. For example, regardless of the cold weather, nobody needs three pair of gloves. The four pair of jeans became two, and so forth. By the time I had successfully stacked almost half of my previous previously exposed wardrobe back into my closet space, I felt hungry, confused, and that more than three hours have passed; even though this process took me not more than one. But then I discovered with pleasure that I was able to fit my belongings to my black medium-sized carry-on luggage and I felt proud of my accomplishment.

Since then, I have packed, unpacked, and repacked my possessions tiny or big, heavy or light, useful or slightly not, more than 100 times. I am not considering myself to be an expert, but I have certainly advanced my ability to see, before it is too late, if the stuff I want to carry can actually be carried and safely reach their destination point. My advice to all of you that have gone through a similar experience or are planning to board a ship, enter an airplane, or ride a train, is to travel light. Not only you will save precious space in your luggage for the things you will want to buy during your vacations, but most importantly you are able to carry your belongings without feeling that you could have done a better job. Although when I unpack I still discover something I did not wear or use while being away, I am certainly a better backpacker and I managed to survive during all those endless hours that I had to wait to get on board, without hurting my back, arm or neck. Good luck with your packing business and remember to have fun during your much desired recreational trip.

Kadence Buchanan
http://recreationsource.net/