Dont panic…
This is a blog for the future racers out there. First off, if you are reading this it’s probably not your first packing blog you’ve read so I will try to make it at least mildly unique, secondly, reading this shows a level of commitment to the world race that I want to congratulate you on. It’s a wild, crazy, hard, and transforming life we live out here on the field. You’re going to love and hate it depending on the day, but I can almost guarantee you won’t regret it.
So heres some things I want you to know so you can make some educated decisions about that bag of yours.
THING 1— Bring an IPhone, trust me. You will be using air drop ALL the time C&C’s, pictures, videos, listening prayers, all of it. Airdrop makes life SOOOO much easier. even those of you saying “I never use airdrop i can make it without it” true but you life will be so much harder. (Also, if you can, get one with LOTS of storage. your little 15g standard isn’t going to make it. Trust me you don’t want to have to choose between your photos and your spotify. It’s a rough rule I learned the hard way)
THING 2— Two words. External. Hard drive. Ok it’s three words. (While writing this I literally just had to empty the trash on my lap top to upload two new photos…) But seriously, there are several reasons why this is a good idea. Number one, movies. Even if you don’t know how to get them on there now chances are someone on your squad does, probably more then one. I started this race with no movies and now I have an extensive collection of movies and TV shows that I have picked up from squad mates and hosts. But I don’t have a hard drive so I have no where to put them except on my friends hard drive. (Thanks mom for coming in clutch with bringing one to PVT in a couple weeks). Secondly for backing things up. Back up your phone to your laptop and your laptop to your hard drive and store them in different places, just in case.
THING 3— Bring the clothes you wear everyday! I know you have seen this on just about every packing blog you have read, so just do yourself a favor and listen to us. If you wear jeans at home bring them you WILL want them. If you sleep in the Nike shorts you were told not to bring, bring them just don’t wear them to ministry or not when your sleeping. If you love your flannel like me, bring it. Jewelry, bring it. Put the quick dry zip off pants down and walk away. You will thank us later. (side note: It really doesn’t matter what you bring, you will hate ALL your clothes by month three anyway. You might as well bring things you like now and you might have a chance of feeling yourself in them longer)
Also shoes, bring the ones you wear at home. I have worn my Birks every single day, no regrets.
*I am a size 16, most days, If you are somewhere around my size you will not be able to “pick up clothes everywhere” Southern Africa has been great, Asia, not at all. same goes for shoes, Im a size 10 there are no shoes anywhere that fit me.
THING 4— Bring something that makes you feel at home. I have a blanket that I LOVE. I can’t imagine my race without it. Some people turn a sheet into a sleeping bag liner instead of buying one, a stuffed animal, anything that makes you feel at home. Pictures to decorate with are great, too.
*bring a real pillow, the Thermorest ones are good, real ones are best, blow up ones are NO.
THING 5— Cold medicine, ibuprofen, sleep aids, and contact solution, these things (typically) are hard to find so they are good to stock up on if you are a person that needs them. A friend of mine says that as far as contact solution is concerned you don’t have to dump it every day calm down you won’t die.
THING 6— Toiletries are everywhere. People shower all over the world. (one very true exception is deodorant, they have it everywhere but its weird, roll on or spray mostly no sticks)
THING 7— Bring things to do/ learn. Calligraphy pens, drawing supplies, games, cards, a ukulele, etc. these are great things to have. Also if you’re a reader who likes real books bring a few along with your kindle/ nook you will be able to read them, drop them and pick up more and you will love it.
THING 8— Bring a portable luggage scale, weight limits are different all over the world this will be clutch and all your squad mates will be jealous.
THING 9— Get yourself a LARGE charging bank, really wish I had one of these, they are awesome. And if you have apple products they have an adapter kit that has pieces that fit into your charger that makes them comparable with most places they are a life saver.
THING 10 (VERY IMPORTANT!!)— Your race will be different then mine, your countries, your hosts everything will be different. All those blogs that tell you what you do and don’t need gear wise, (ex. tent/sleeping bag) do yourself a favor and don’t listen to them. You might need them and you might not, but if you don’t bring something don’t expect that other people will share with you. Your journey will be unique and awesome pack for a unique and awesome journey.
*Last note, don’t let people make you feel bad about how heavy your pack is. It’s 11 months, and if you are willing to carry it then rock it and don’t feel bad about it.
Sorry it was a lot longer then I thought it was going to be. Have an amazing journey and keep fighting to learn from the Lord be looking everywhere, He’s teaching you something you just have to be looking for it.
Signed a month 8 racer.
Thanks for stopping by.
Lyndie
