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Just a Bit of Anxiety

I’ve always gotten really excited for trips. When I was little and my family used to go on vacation to Cape Cod every year, I would always pack a week early and pack EVERYTHING. I brought all the clothes that I could ever possibly need, at least five stuffed animals, and all the toys and books I could fit next to me in the backseat of the family sedan. I like to think I’ve gotten better. Moving in and out of college wasn’t as bad as it could have been. I say that, but as I drove all my belongings back home after fall semester, the car looked like I was a severe hoarder. Still, I didn’t have to hire a moving truck or ship my clothes home in boxes. I’m hoping this time around I can really nail it and only pack what’s needed and pack it efficiently. (I sometimes get exasperated and just shove clothes and shoes into bags. I know this doesn’t work from all the surface area problems I’ve done in math class but for some reason, shoving them in just seems like it would work better.)

I had a dream last night that I forgot to pack socks. I know it sounds silly, but in the moment it was really scary. In the dream, I finally found one pair of old black socks to take, but as soon as I opened up my suitcase to put them in, everything fell out. My plane was about to leave and all my clothes and belongings were strewn about the room and I still only had one pair of socks to take. Talk about a nightmare.

This is what I’m trying to prevent. I’m going to make a good, long packing list and meticulously abide by it. I’m making a promise to myself not to shove anything into bags. I will fold neatly. I will only take the shoes that are absolutely necessary and I’ll limit myself to two stuffed animals. As much as I love my shampoo, I don’t need to take it with me. I can get a new hairdryer (but my straightener comes with me, that’s non-negotiable). No clothes will have to be sent in boxes to me. I am going to squash my pre-departure fears! I will be a packing goddess!