Confessions of a Chronic Overpacker (and How I Finally Stopped)

Table of Contents

My Dark Secret: I Was That Overpacker

Why Overpacking Happens (It’s Not Just Me, Right?)

The Low Points of My Overpacking Life

Packing Anxiety and the “What If” Monster

The Turning Point: My Suitcase Intervention

How I (Finally) Learned to Pack Lighter

Weird Tricks That Actually Worked for Me

The Emotional Side of Packing (and Letting Go)

Overpacking vs. Travel Comfort (Where I Still Cheat a Little)

My Current Packing Ritual (and Why It Feels Like Therapy)

Final Thoughts: A Work in Progress

1. My Dark Secret: I Was That Overpacker

Okay, confession time. I used to pack like I was fleeing the country permanently, not going on a four-day city trip. I once brought nine pairs of socks for a weekend in Rome. Nine. I don’t even own nine good pairs of socks. Half were mismatched, one had a hole in the toe, and somehow I still thought, “But what if I need them?”

My friend Lara still teases me about the time I lugged a full-sized hairdryer and a curling iron to Barcelona. Spoiler: I used neither. (I wore my hair in a bun the entire trip because it was 32°C and I was sweating like a rotisserie chicken.)

2. Why Overpacking Happens (It’s Not Just Me, Right?)

Overpacking is kind of like… emotional insurance. It’s your brain whispering, “You’ll regret it if you don’t bring this sparkly blazer you haven’t worn since college.” And I’d listen every time.

Part of it is fear—fear of being unprepared, fear of looking sloppy in photos, fear of being the person in sweatpants at a chic café. But, also? It’s a little bit about control. When you don’t know what travel will throw at you, you pack for every scenario like you’re prepping for a zombie apocalypse.

3. The Low Points of My Overpacking Life

There are many, but here are the greatest hits:

1. The Airport Stairs Incident – I once nearly toppled backward dragging a 28kg suitcase up a narrow staircase in Prague. Some kind stranger basically became my sherpa.

2. The Extra Bag Fiasco – Bought too many souvenirs in Istanbul, had to buy a second bag just to get everything home. Customs probably thought I was smuggling rugs.

3. The Crying in Paris Moment – Tried to haul my suitcase across cobblestones at 11 PM. Nearly cried when a wheel broke off. (Okay fine, I did cry.)

4. Packing Anxiety and the “What If” Monster

I call it the What If Monster.

• What if it rains? (Pack 3 jackets.)

• What if I get invited to a fancy dinner? (Pack heels I can’t walk in.)

• What if I spill coffee on myself? (Pack backup outfits… plural.)

The What If Monster is undefeated. Unless you learn to outsmart it.

5. The Turning Point: My Suitcase Intervention

The breaking point? A trip to Japan where I physically couldn’t fit my suitcase in the overhead rack. A sweet old man helped me, but he grunted so loud that people stared. Mortifying.

After that, I thought: This has to stop. I can’t keep being the person everyone side-eyes at boarding.

6. How I (Finally) Learned to Pack Lighter

6.1 Capsule Wardrobe (a.k.a. fashion minimalism for the lazy)

I don’t do fashion math well, but I forced myself to pick 7 items of clothing that all matched. Tops, bottoms, one sweater, one “nice” outfit. Suddenly, everything worked together, and I didn’t feel like I was dressing in clown colors.

6.2 The 3-Shoe Rule I Swear By

• One pair for walking

• One pair that’s slightly dressy

• Flip-flops if necessary

That’s it. No “just in case” heels. If Meghan Markle invites me to tea in London (unlikely), I’ll buy shoes there.

6.3 Packing Cubes (and my very messy relationship with them)

I used to think packing cubes were for obsessive people who label their spice racks. Then I tried them. And yes—they saved me. Except when I overstuff them and they basically become bricks. (Still progress though, right?)

7. Weird Tricks That Actually Worked for Me

• I roll my underwear and shove it inside my shoes. (Gross? Maybe. Efficient? Absolutely.)

• I pretend my carry-on is the only bag I’m allowed. Forces me to be ruthless.

• I lay everything on the bed, then cut it in half. Then cut it again. Dramatic, but effective.

8. The Emotional Side of Packing (and Letting Go)

Packing isn’t just about stuff. It’s about identity. Like, who am I on this trip? Adventurous Arvin who hikes mountains, or Fancy Arvin who wears linen pants and orders Aperol Spritz?

Learning to pack less meant letting go of all those imaginary versions of me. Which was… weirdly hard.

9. Overpacking vs. Travel Comfort (Where I Still Cheat a Little)

Listen, I’ll admit it: I still bring a memory foam travel pillow and an inflatable one on long-haul flights. I like options, okay? Comfort is where I refuse to “minimalize.”

Also, I once used a hoodie as an eye mask. 10/10 recommend.

10. My Current Packing Ritual (and Why It Feels Like Therapy)

Now, before trips, I do this little ritual: put everything I think I need on the bed, then slowly take away anything that doesn’t spark actual joy (yeah, I stole that). By the end, my bag feels light, my shoulders don’t scream at me, and I actually enjoy dragging my suitcase through the airport.

It feels… freeing. Like uncluttering my brain.

11. Final Thoughts: A Work in Progress

Am I a reformed minimalist packer now? Eh. Not quite. But I’m a recovering overpacker, and that’s something.

So, tell me—are you an overpacker too, or are you one of those magical unicorns who can travel Europe for two weeks with just a backpack? Because honestly, I still don’t know how you do it.

 

Author Profile:
Hi, I’m Florian Werner, the founder of FLOWZOOM. The idea for FLOWZOOM started during an unforgettable trip around the world. After spending what felt like forever on long flights, I noticed just how tough it is to stay comfortable while traveling.
I tried every travel pillow I could find, hoping for some relief—but nothing worked the way I needed it to. That’s when I decided to create my own. At FLOWZOOM, we focus on designing pillows that actually do what they’re supposed to: keep you comfortable and supported while you travel.
I’ve spent years figuring out what makes a great travel pillow. My goal is to make every trip easier for people who, like me, want to enjoy their journey without the aches and pains. I’m proud to share what I’ve learned through FLOWZOOM’s products and tips for better travel.
Here’s to making every trip a little more comfortable!