The Joy of Packing a Suitcase
—Why pulling out my luggage makes me feel like anything is possible
There’s this moment, usually a week or so before a trip, when I pull out my suitcase and set it on the bed. And that’s when it hits me—we’re really doing this. That zip, that clunky roll across the floor, even the little smell of the closet where it’s been stored—it gets me every time. It’s not just about organizing clothes. It’s about imagining who I’ll be and where I’ll go.
Packing is its own kind of magic.
It starts with the bags. Do I want the soft roller? The hard-shell? The big one with room to spare or the tiny carry-on that means I’m keeping it tight and nimble? Each one says something different. A week in the city? Give me my sleek black duffel. A beach trip with the kids? Break out the checked bag and stuff it to the brim.
Then there’s the wardrobe part, which is maybe the most fun. Because packing is kind of like playing dress-up—but for grown-ups who book plane tickets and drink espresso in plazas. I start imagining where I’ll be and what I might need:
If I were walking through a cobblestone alley in Seville at dusk, what would I wear?
Well, I don’t usually wear a leather jacket, but in Spain? I might be a leather-jacket girl.
That scarf I never wear at home somehow makes sense in Paris. That sundress I’ve been saving? It was made for Costa Rica. Packing lets me lean into these little versions of myself that only show up when I travel—and I love that.
It’s also this satisfying little puzzle. What can I re-wear? What folds small? What’s comfy but still makes me feel like myself? I use a totally different part of my brain when I pack—one that’s creative and smart and a little bit dreamy. And I always feel a tiny bit proud when everything fits just right.
Of course, it’s not just about the stuff. It’s about the possibilities. Packing makes it real. It turns maybe into almost. It’s the beginning of the shift—stepping out of regular life and into something open, unexpected, and alive.
And that’s why I love it.
That’s why I look forward to it.
That’s why I’ll never stop traveling.
Because packing isn’t just preparation—it’s transformative! And that, my friends, is where the adventure begins.
