Let's Talk with Debra H. Goldstein
I hate packing
March 5, 2026
I’ve been on the go throughout the country for the past three weeks. First, in a nine-day span, I managed to spend time in Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. I visited family during the first two stops. San Francisco was a combination of four days of work-related activities and catching up with friends and fans at the Left Coast Crime Conference. My more insane travel takes place this coming weekend.
On Friday afternoon, I am driving almost three hours to Dahlonega, Georgia. Because I am one of the featured authors at this year’s Dahlonega Literary Festival, I’m going the night before so there won’t be any chance that I’m late for my early morning panel.
When I made my plans, I planned to drive back to Atlanta late in the day, but my daughter, realizing there won’t be tickets for all the grandparents, aunts, and uncles, decided to throw our grandson a Saturday night pre-graduation dinner in Maryland. Instead of dawdling after my panel and signing finish, I will drive directly to the Atlanta airport to catch a plane. If all goes as planned, I will make it to the dinner. I’ll also be there for an informal Sunday brunch before I fly home on a three o’clock flight. Insane, but I cherish the time spent with family, friends, and fans. The only real problem is that I hate packing.
For me, packing for a trip is a tortuous process.
First, I make sure everything I might possibly want to take is back from the dry cleaners, has been washed, or, if necessary, purchased. Then, I sit with pen and pad and contemplate the trip, deciding exactly what I need from how many pairs of underpants to whether any formal attire is called for. Once I address my clothing – indicating what should be worn on any given day – I add miscellaneous items to my list ranging from medications to computer cords. I stare at the list and decide to pack tomorrow when I’m not as tired or busy (this depends upon if I make the list at night or during the day).
The time to do the deed arrives but first I need the right sized suitcase. Am I carrying on? Do I have a dress I don’t want to crush? Am I going to a conference where I need to take extra books, bookmarks, or other swag? I choose a suitcase, but I’m so worn out from the process, so I take another break.
Eventually, there is no way for me to avoid packing. I pull everything out of my closet, drawers, or wherever. That done, I stare at the stack on my bed or the couch and decide to watch a TV show or allow myself thirty minutes of reading time before I tackle putting things into the suitcase.
An hour later, especially if the clothing is on my bed, I pack. It takes five to ten minutes.
Relieved, I soak in a long bath. I am exhausted. How about you? Do you have a packing ritual?
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Posted in Let's Talk, with Debra H. Goldstein • Tags: Debra H Goldstein, I Hate Packing, Let's Talk, Suitcase, travel | 6 Comments
I really enjoyed reading The I Hate Packing post. I don’t travel much anymore, but when I did, packing was a disaster. I always too too many clothes. One suitcase for shoes. My clothes suitcase was filled to the brim and felt like it had 50 lbs of cement in it it was so heavy. I was exhausted from just lugging it around. This post took me on a trip down memory lane.
Hi Debra! I love the packing process. I use a packing rack to help decide what I’m going to wear for each day of my trip, and then it all goes in the suitcase. Easy, peasy!
Debra, even though I keep a list of items that need to be packed for every trip on my phone, I invariably find after I’ve arrived that I’ve forgotten something!
I once forgot my suitcase! That was a double disaster. I’d agonized for days over what fit and what went with what, only to have left the darn suitcase in the back room. Fortunately, I have an understanding guy. We went to the outlets nearby and got everything. It seemed costly until we hit the drug store for the rest of it. Ugh. I also remember to pack a little Woolite, in case I totally miss a wardrobe section. Once I forgot to pack the kids undies. We were dropping them off with his parents while we had a weekend get away. Did not even know we’d done that until the next day. My dear mother-in-law went to the kids’ store in downtown Westfield and got the kids sorted. After that experience, I never forgot anyone’s underwear again!
One of the more recent improvements in my packing methods is mesh bags. I put an entire day’s outfit inside it and zip it shut. Then each day, I pull out the bag outfit and I’m good to go…
My mother was ne of those extra-careful packers. she knew how to fold every kind of garment so that it arrived without a wrinkle. Alas, I never had her patience for the perfect fold. I load my bed with every possible candidate for the trip, then unload it onto the floor or a chair when it’s time for bed. I’m up early the day of departure hastily assembling items and hoping there’ll be something to wear for the duration of the trip.
Use an Excel spreadsheet to plan your packing. Use packing cubes. Pack a cube – go to your computer & color in the appropriate cells. When all cells are in color – you’re done. Plus, you can copy your spreadsheet and with a few tweaks have everything ready for your next trip. Have been doing this for years and rarely forget anything. Love all the books and Booklover’s Bench!