Why I Love Packing
You’re probably expecting this to be a boring blog post about packing.
Spreadsheets. Lists. Cubes. Rules.
But here’s the thing — I love packing.
I know that makes me a little weird, but packing has always been part of the magic for me. It’s the moment when a trip starts to feel real. When the idea of an adventure turns into something I can physically hold in my hands.
I’m not a fashionable, perfectly styled traveler. I love comfy clothes, practical outfits, and Nike shoes that let me walk for hours without my feet screaming at me. I live in athletic wear, beach-friendly clothes, and things that won’t ruin my day if they get dusty, wrinkled, or soaked in tropical rain.
For the last 16 years, my life has fit into a 65-liter backpack.
And honestly? I’ve always been a little jealous of Europeans with their sleek, female-designed backpacks that curve perfectly to their bodies or unzip right down the middle so you can grab clothes without unpacking your entire life. Meanwhile, I’ve been loyal to my slightly chaotic, old-school top-loader.
Packed and ready for Korea. Bailey was there for the send-off — a moment I’ll always carry with me.
How I Pack My 65-Liter Backpack
Over the years, I’ve developed a system — and I know exactly where everything is.
The bottom pouch is reserved for socks, underwear, bras, and bathing suits. If I can squeeze in my sandals or gym shoes, even better.
The top pouch is for warm layers: a sweater, hat, mittens, and anything valuable or important that I want quick access to. There’s also a small front pouch where I keep random essentials — bottle openers, pens, highlighters, little things that somehow always come in handy.
Inside the main compartment, there’s a small hidden sleeve where I always keep my makeup, jewelry, my “Canadian wallet,” and — if it fits — my hair straightener. Everything else in the main section is strictly clothes.
Unimportant clothes go on the bottom. Important clothes go on top.
Hot destination? Warm clothes on the bottom.
Cold destination? Summer clothes on the bottom.
I always keep my beach towel and microfiber towel near the top, along with my toiletry bag. I also try to bring a pair of nice flats, because I do like dressing up occasionally — but let’s be honest, I walk like a newborn deer learning to stand when I wear heels. Those stay out of the backpack and at home.
And if you’re wondering about my winter coat — I’m usually wearing it in the airport (because airports are freezing), then strapping it to the outside of my backpack once I hit tropical weather.
From empty to packed: how everything fits inside my 65L backpack.
The Second Backpack (a.k.a. My Airport Survival Kit)
I also travel with a smaller backpack, which doubles as my personal item. That’s where my laptop lives, along with my travel wallet, passport, and extra warm layers. Airports turn me into an ice cube, so I never skimp on something cozy.
I try not to overdo it here — warm clothes take up a lot of space — but comfort always wins.
My smaller backpack pulls double duty — airport days, city exploring, and everything in between.
Yes, I Overpack (And I’m Fine With That)
Here’s my confession: I overpack.
Whether I’m going away for a weekend or a full week, I somehow pack the same amount of clothes — just with more underwear for longer trips. A girl needs options.
I usually pack one outfit for daytime, one for nighttime, pajamas, and multiple bathing suits. I need a different swimsuit for each day. Is it excessive? Absolutely. Am I changing? Never.
Packing makes me genuinely happy. I get giddy knowing that an adventure is coming — a new country, a new city, or a familiar place I’m excited to return to.
I even enjoy unpacking. I dump everything straight into the washing machine and sort it later. While I put everything away, I replay memories in my head — where I wore that dress, the night that top was involved in, the day I walked until my legs gave out.
This is the part where I convince myself I need all of these things.
I Pack Other People’s Bags Too
I love packing so much that I’ve packed my friends’ suitcases more times than I can count.
If you’ve read my other blogs, you know my friend Keri from South Africa. She’s amazing — but packing is not her strength. When we met in Laos, her suitcase and backpack were overflowing. Somehow, I managed to repack everything, so that her suitcase was organized, her backpack was empty, and there was still room left over.
Another friend once asked me to help pack for a month in Europe — mostly because he didn’t want to look like a “Canadian hick.” I helped choose outfits, packed everything neatly, and sent him on his way.
He came back with absolute chaos. His suitcase was a genuine mess. I just shook my head in disbelief. I could never let my suitcase look like that — where are you even supposed to find things?
I love packing so much that I’ve become the unofficial packer for everyone around me.
Where Did I Learn This?
Without question — my mom.
She is the packing queen.
I’ve watched her come out of stores with four full shopping carts and still manage to fit everything into a Toyota Camry and make sure everyone had legroom. Costco trips? Same thing. Overflowing carts. Perfectly packed car. No stress.
After 16 years of traveling, I feel like I’ve inherited this skill. I know exactly where everything is in my backpack at all times — no digging, no panic, no dumping things on hostel floors.
And just this year, I finally upgraded to a new 65-liter backpack. It’s fancy. It’s organized. It opens easier.
I cannot wait to test it out.
My mom is the original packing queen. If three Costco carts can fit into one car, anything is possible.
How Do I Fit Everything?
I roll my clothes. Always.
Big items go in first, then smaller and smaller pieces. I fill every nook and cranny. Sometimes that order changes — especially in winter — but the method stays the same.
Do things wrinkle? Sometimes. But it depends on the fabric. And honestly, after a few hours on a bus or plane, wrinkles are the least of my concerns.
Roll it, stuff it, go. If it survives a 10-hour bus ride, it’s good enough for me.
What I Actually Pack
This changes depending on the destination, but generally, my backpack includes:
2 sweaters (one worn, one packed)
2 pairs of jeans
1 pair of sweatpants (plus airport sweats)
1 thin sweater
1 pair of leggings
2 pairs of jean shorts
2 pairs of athletic shorts
2 workout tank tops
4–6 tops
1 nice dress
1 casual dress
It’s not perfect. It’s not minimalist.
But it works for me.
And after all these years, packing isn’t a chore — it’s part of the adventure.
Years of trial and error led to this. Everything I need, packed with intention.
