There comes a moment before every trip when someone inevitably asks, “Do you really need all of that?” And every time, the answer is yes. Not because we're planning a six-month expedition for a three-day getaway. Not because we're incapable of making decisions. But because experience has taught us one very important thing: you never know.
The extra pair of earrings? Necessary. The backup lipstick? Absolutely. The safety pins you've carried on every trip for the last five years without using once? Essential. Because while some people pack for the trip they're taking, many of us pack for the trip and every possible "just in case" that comes with it.
Overpacking has somehow earned a bad reputation, often mistaken for indecisiveness. In reality, it's preparation.
Take the toiletries pouch, for example. It starts innocently enough with a toothbrush and face wash. Then comes the hundred skincare products. Wet wipes, tissues, hand sanitiser, hair ties, bobby pins, medicines, sanitary essentials and a random safety pin that has somehow become the most reliable member of the travel party. And somehow, every single one of these items ends up serving a purpose.
Then there are the extras. The charger for the charger. The backup hair tie. The spare pair of underwear or socks. The medicine you haven't needed in months. The tote bag folded inside another bag. The tiny collection of things that seem unnecessary when you're packing but suddenly become invaluable when you're away.
The outfit that felt perfect while packing might not feel right when you're actually there. The shoes that looked comfortable at home might feel very different after a full day of walking. The extra layer you almost left behind.
Then there are the things we pack simply because they make travelling easier. The neck pillow that takes up too much space. The oversized tote for airport essentials. The claw clip. The extra packet of tissues. The snacks, very important. The things nobody notices until somebody needs them.
Maybe that's the real reason we overpack. So the next time someone raises an eyebrow at your carefully curated collection of extra outfits, backup accessories, emergency items, remember: You're not overpacking. You're being prepared. Because, just in case.