Luggage

So there are some who come into work who just have a ridiculous number of bags. They either need to come down the elevator because they can’t carry it down the stairs or it takes them multiple trips to move all of it. I hate to say it but they look crazy.

So rewind to August 19th, not only the best day in the world (my birthday), but the day I was at Union Station getting ready to board a train which marked the start of my YAV adventure. I have 2 massive suitcases, a backpack, purse, and pillow. I probably looked absolutely ridiculous to most. Now on amtrak they don’t weigh your luggage so I could get away with whatever the bags weighed. Now it is August 26th the day I flew from New York to Atlanta. At the airport they actually weigh your luggage. I had one bag at exactly 50 lbs and the other was 72 lbs. I knew going into it would be overweight but the $50 price tag was WAY worth it to have my precious belongings (and 10 lbs of Jack Rodgers) in Atlanta. I mean I could’t repeat outfits at work. Again I probably looked crazy with my 122 lbs of checked luggage not to mention my huge backpack and monster of a purse.

So to bring it all together one day in September our executive director wrote a reflection about the bags we pack and how they are only for a week or so. Can be read here: http://centraloutreach.wordpress.com/2013/09/10/september-10-2013/  It wasn’t until recently that I really thought about it. I thought the world was going to end because I could only pack a months worth of stuff for the beginning of my year. I complained about my arms hurting from wheeling around my precious summer clothes and ‘necessary’ belongings. These people who I think look crazy because they can’t handle their bag look the same as me every time I travel. The difference, their life is in those bags, for me its just a week or even weekends worth of stuff.

As I write this I have been thinking about traveling home for Christmas in 10 days. I am dreading the packing. I also wait until the very last minute and don’t think through what I need and always tend to over pack. (Read my suitcase is regularly over 50 lbs when I fly somewhere for more than 4 days) So this holiday season I am challenging myself and you to really focus on what you will need for traveling over the holidays. I will let you know how much I end up taking home for the 2 weeks I will be there. I am hoping for 1 large suitcase and my toiletry bag.

I hope everyone is having a joyous holiday season!