Me, before I knew how impractical I truly was.
I was determined to the very end.
I'm sure you have all read the stressful and overwhelming blogs about how to pack your life for 11 months in one single backpack. You have felt pressured to get just the right things, to tough it out just the right way and to pack as little as possible. Your squad's Facebook page is littered with questions about the perfect way to pack.
Well if you are like me, impractical and struggling to live life without the small things like lipstick and hair straighteners, then free yourself from the pressure no more!
I am likely considered on my squad as the most impractical packer. At one point during the 11 months I had 9 pairs of shoes. What can I say? I love shoes. But I've even had months where I've had 3 like everyone else.
I'm here to encourage you that you CAN bring a hair straightener AND a curling iron at the same time. You CAN carry a full bottle of mousse and hair spray (not the useless travel size). Feel free to wear makeup every day if you choose. Don't feel silly if you bring the world's smallest scale, 4 resistance bands and even protein powder. I mean, I did, why shouldn't you?
You probably are trying out all of your shiny, brand new equipment and trying to put it all in your backpack and having a small meltdown because it sure seems like after your sleeping pad, tent and sleeping bag, there's no more room for anything else. Stay calm. Don't panic. I got nervous at the end of every month and asked the same question, "How did I bring all of this and how on earth do I do it again?" Some how it all fits. And some how, I carry it all.
You are probably thinking you will walk miles and miles with all your stuff. HA! Not so. We walked quite a bit at training camp and we walked a mile once in China, but that was all.
And you have probably read that the world doesn't have things like makeup, medicine, socks, underwear or just the right clothes for your environment so you better stock up on everything while in America. This is just not true. The whole world has floss and toothpaste and chocolate. It even has WiFi.
It is true that the world does not carry maple syrup except for Ukraine, so if you want to pack McCormack's imitation maple flavor with you like I did, it's a VERY good idea.
If I could change anything, I would have brought less with me to start because I ended up buying new clothes. I also didn't have to buy a year's supply of floss.
So, if you are impractical, don't sweat it. If you really want to bring it, and you find room, bring it! There is NO shame. This is a judgment-free zone. Well, just right here. Your squad will likely judge you. It didn't sway me one bit.
And then if you are in month 10 and find a really sweet carved chair from Swaziland and want to bring it home because it was so cheap – find a way. If I can do it, so can you!
11 Impractical things I packed that I never regretted:
1. hair straightener
2. curling iron
3. body weight scale
4. 4 resistance bands
5. protein powder
6. heavy duty scissors that I bought month one
7. hairspray and makeup
8. McCormack's maple syrup flavor
9. one carved chair from Swaziland
10. my ukulele
11. And all the shoes I could manage
