Dear Pre-Launch World Racer,
Welcome to the joy of preparing for the unknown! I certainly know how intimidating it can be to think about fitting everything that you need for the next year into approximately 65 liters worth of backpack. It’s hard and it’s scary and it gives you all the feels. But if you’re honest with yourself, there’s a small piece of you that’s strangely excited to give this minimalism thing a fighting chance.
To give you some perspective, I have a lengthy history of enjoying things like air conditioning and curling irons and mascara. I feel deep affection for my feather pillow and trustworthy air conditioning and accessory options. I’m not super into sleeping on the floor or camping in general. I do enjoy any excuse to skip a shower, but that’s a different story. #4thdayhair #lazygirlprobs.
Before my Race in 2014, I think I spent more time reading packing blogs than I did anything else. I combed over articles on Pinterest and tirelessly investigated tips and tricks from former Racers. I had an Amazon wishlist and an REI cart that was perpetually updated with the new “thing” I’d decided would make my Race comfortable and good. I deeply wanted to be stylish and prepared but still flexible and low maintenance. It was a lot.
Maybe that’s you. You’ve done all of the research and changed your mind about eleventy billion times about all sorts of little details and you’re just not sure if you’re cut out for this whole “carry everything you own for the year around the world on your back” thing. I’m here to tell you that you can do it. Take a deep breath and remember why you said yes to this. Remember that you’re hoping for change and growth and understand that good things are often birthed through discomfort and building something new usually starts with tearing down something old.
Without further ado, here are some packing truths from me to you.
Be true to who you are.
You might be leaving the country for the next 11 months but you are still you. If you wear jeans & a t-shirt every day of your life at home, that will likely translate onto the Race. Maybe you wear sundresses all of the time or you’re a huge fan of cardigans. Whatever you like to wear in the states, pack it because chances are that you’re going to enjoy wearing that thing overseas, too.
(Jeans & a v neck: my uniform Month 7)
Remember that whatever you choose to say “yes” to means that you’re choosing to say “no” to something else. So it’s important to understand what your personal priorities lie. I’m a clothing girl so my strategy is to bring plain colored things that are easily layer able and can be mixed and matched. Secondary to me are accessories (earrings, a scarf, a statement necklace) that match at least 2-3 of the outfit options I’m bringing. I’m not incredibly picky about toiletries and believe that all health woes can be solved with some prayer, peppermint oil and ibuprofen. If your priority is electronics, bring ‘em! But know that it might mean removing a pair of pants from your pack or just straight up adding extra weight. This is your Race so please know that you can read all of the advice in the world but it’s no substitute for a good dose of self awareness and a hearty helping of humility.
Pack for a 10 day mission trip…ish.?
In preparation for my Race, I tried to think in terms of a ten day mission trip and that was helpful in some ways but not in others. In terms of toiletries and amount of clothing, the 10 day framework is perfect. Unless you’re super particular about a brand for something like shampoo or lotion, you don’t need to bring enough to last the whole year. Just bring enough for the first month or so and pick up along the way. The outliers to this rule are things like deodorant and tampons. You may have a harder time with those. Spray on deodorant and applicator-free tampons are available so if that’s up your alley you are golden. If not, you may want to account for some extra space in your pack. I brought 3 full size deodorants on my Race and had zero regrets about it.
On the flip side, when considering clothing options remember that you’re going to be living your real life. Preparing for a 10 day mission trip, I’d bring lots of camp t-shirts and long shorts or loose yoga capris. There’s certainly need for that but not a whole wardrobe of it! You’ll most likely be meeting people for coffee, teaching English, leading bible studies & youth groups, preaching sermons, building relationships, and a slew of other things that are not just building houses or painting. You’re going to want to feel presentable.
During my Race, I did a lot of manual labor and work projects but never once thought to myself “Man! I wish I’d brought another junky t-shirt to paint in!” One or two options is plenty. As the year progresses, things that started off as “nice” options will get worn out or stained and feel usable for a work project situation. So bring things that make you feel like a normal person.
(I wore some semblance of this outfit nearly every day in southeast Asia)
Dove is everywhere.
As I mentioned before, you don’t need to carry every single thing you could possibly need over the next 11 months on your person from the beginning. The world is big and full of options. I found that Dove is a relatively global brand and available in Africa, Europe and Asia so you will be able to restock on shampoo and conditioner and body wash. Be careful in Asia when purchasing face wash or lotion. Many of their options contain whitening agents that will slightly bleach your skin. But as long as you’re aware of the labels, you can find ones that are bleaching-free. After the African sun gets a hold of you, you might be in the market for some whitening product!
(Big shout out to doxycicline for the strawberry face)
Clothing is available too! Asian markets were incredible and full of fun t-shirts and colorful pants and H&M was on nearly every continent so you will have options. My squad traveled from the heat of Africa to Eastern Europe, where it snowed at least once every month. We found some great second hand stores and stocked up on winter apparel but it was mostly practical not completely fashionable.
We traveled through Hong Kong on our way to Asia and spent a week sweating more than ever before. I was so grateful that I’d ditched all of my winter clothing until we arrived at our ministry location in China. We stayed in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains and it was cold more often than not. The solution: layer up!
(I think I’m wearing all of the clothes)
There’s also a glorious World Race tradition known as The Free Pile. This is basically like the greatest second-hand store you can imagine where people from the squad will put things they no longer want or need. Those items then become up for grabs to the rest of the squad. It was a great place to trade out a shirt you were sick of or pick up someone else’s superfluous sunscreen. My original squad will readily tell you that I’m all about that free pile life.
Perhaps you’ve never shared clothing and accessories before. I want you to know that will quickly change. I grew up with one younger brother and have a best friend and roommate who’s a size 2 so I entered the Race without much clothes-sharing under my belt. But it became a staple way to expand my wardrobe options without having to carry extra things. My original team had 4 girls of different sizes on it so we didn’t necessarily share pants but we often swapped cardigans and sweaters and headbands and scarves. It provided so many more fun choices and was also a subtle way of bonding us in sisterhood.
Hold it all loosely.
I’m all for bringing things that you like and really enjoy but remember that whatever you’re bringing might get lost or ruined or taken. As you pack, be sure to acknowledge and remember that and make a cognitive choices that you’re willing to take that risk. One of my teammates had an incredibly sentimental and important necklace stolen month 9 and it was really hard for him. Another teammate left her favorite sweater on a bus in China after a long series of travel days and had to mourn it.
Computers break and screens crack and iPods suffer water damage. Favorite sweaters get ripped and shirts get stained and shoes get lost. This is real life and these things happen so understand the risk.
Embrace the unknown… and the different.
It’s literally impossible to prepare for every possible situation and perceived need that might arise over the next year. If we’re being really honest, that’s also impossible in “normal” life in America but packing for a year overseas forces you to confront that reality. You might get malaria or a bad stomach bug or a crazy batch of homesickness and it will feel hard. You might wonder how you could have prepared differently or better and that’s ok. The Lord will be faithful in it all. He will provide for your every need as it arises, even if it’s not the way that you expected it to be.
You’re going to change over this next year in so many ways. Some that you’re probably not even expecting. Your personal style will morph and change and it’s wonderful! Embrace it. On my Race, I gained freedom in so many things. It may sound silly but a big reflection of that was in my clothing choices. I’ve been a fan of personal style for a long time but it’s often been tied to approval addiction (What will other people think of this? Is this stylish?). Over the course of 11 months, I developed the courage to take risks in relationships, in outreach and in my wardrobe. I wore a headband hippie-style just because I could. I paired shirts with pants that questionably “matched” because I had limited options and kind of strangely enjoyed the green and blue and tan together.
(All about the headband life)
(This “World Race” matches)
(Too Missionary Chic for words)
This time around:
I learned a lot from packing mistakes and celebrations of the past and feel like I’m entering this season of squad leading packed well. Because I will only be on the field for five months, I prepared toiletries a little differently and will not be bringing a tent.
I’m a huge fan of packings cubes and try to put everything in those. I’m also a fan of lots of underwear. One of my squad mates was ultra minimalistic and did the Race with just three pair of exofficio underwear and washed them constantly. To me, it’s a worth the packing space to include 14-20 pair. I like nail polish so I’m bringing some. I rely on other people for things like portable speakers, though.
Here’s my clothing this time around: 
Lots of black and pink and blue. The top left corner are my shirts: 3 tanks & 7 sleeved. I have just one t-shirt with a logo or saying on the front and the rest are relatively plain. The top right corner is my outerwear. A chambray shirt, North Face quarter zip fleece, pink full zip hoodie from target, a camel colored-cardigan (it’s got 3/4 length sleeves and is long enough to cover my bottom…. win-win) and a colorful kimono! The bottom left are skirts/dresses: 1 maxi skirt, 1 knee length & a favorite black sleeved dress from H&M that I wore a ton on my Race. The final corner contains my bottoms. I’m bringing two pair of jeans with the option to drop and/or cut into long shorts at least a pair at the end of Europe. I have one pair of thick yoga leggings from Victoria Secret for lounging around or wearing under a dress. I have a pair of loose yoga capris that are kind of junky and could be used for manual labor. There’s a pair of Asia-style pants from H&M that I picked up from my teammate Civanna on my original Race and are crazy comfortable and versatile. Finally, a pair of Patagonia shorts that are too short for ministry but I can sleep in or lounge in or wear in a swimming situation.
Unpictured: 3 camisole/tank tops, a pair of thinner leggings, a pair of tights & a pair of bike shorts to wear under skirts.
Shoes: I’m bringing a pair of tennis shoes. (unpictured)
My trusty Rainbows.
Croc flops. The single most versatile shoe I’ve ever owned. They weigh next to nothing and are incredibly multi-purpose. On my Race I wore them to church, into town sight-seeing, hiking Victoria Falls, as shower shoes and pretty much daily in Asia. These are my favorite.
And, finally, these:
So, here’s the thing… on my original Race I always said that if I knew I was going back to Europe in the Fall/Winter/Spring, I’d pack boots. I love them and wear them constantly in cooler weather. The pair that I’m bringing are ones that I picked up second hand a few years ago. I’m wearing them on the plane, so they’ll take up zero space in my pack and I’m fully comfortable leaving them behind in Europe. They’ve lived a good life.
Is it the best decision for you to bring boots? Maybe not. But this time around, I’m spending the first 3 months in Europe in Autumn, so it’s a worthy yes to me.
I hope that this has been helpful to you in your preparation. If you’ve gleaned nothing else, I hope that you walk away with the freedom to make the decisions that you feel are best and right for you! Now get packing!
