For many packing can be a stressful time. Full of tough questions like: should I bring my own pillow?, what if I need this in three months? and It would be wise to take this along…
As any person who has ever gone on a trip for more than one night does, I began with a list. Now, this list may not always be written out or really specific but there is a general list to avoid forgetting something important.
Racers are no different. If you are like me I started my packing list the same time I got accepted to the Race (February). I’m a planner so my list started off HUGE and slowly got BIGGER!! As I look at my list now, I see where my head was. I was using logic, I never once consulted the Lord. I was practical, knowing I could possibly need an item one time, so I should just pack it.
I had read blog after blog and watched an embarrassing amount of YouTube videos on packing, so my list consisted of just about everything and anything. I started this journey month one with a pack that weighed 48 lbs and a smaller pack that was about 25 lbs. Each month on the race I dropped items I once thought were necessary.
Along the way, I learned the items that were truly important and the others were simply connecting me to what my life was. In the beginning, it was hard to drop items, but as I progressed through the race it got easier and easier. This prompted me to write a blog about packing, in the beginning, and in the end.
My Initial Packing List:
El Salvador: Thought I still needed everything…
Guatemala: I dropped my fanny pack, 2 shirts, 2 basketball shorts, coloring book and pencils.
Honduras: I dropped my cardigan, lotion (it was too big).
Nicaragua: DayQuil and NyQuil (liquid), Large sunscreen, bug lotion, Sweatshirt, collapsable bowl, aloe, sent open letters home, sent 2 journals home.
Cote d’Ivoire: Unbreakable mirror, 1 pillowcase, 1 journal, baby powder, hat.
Ghana: Tank top, bottle of shampoo, Clorox wipes
Nepal: Tent, E-mergency packs, playing cards, 1 karabiner got stolen.
India: 2 curtas, 2 leggings, underwear, comb.
Sent home during PVT: Raincoat, 2 curtas, sleeping bag, insulated leggings and long sleeve top, heavy travel adaptor, tent repair kit, more letters, and journals.
Thailand: My long skirt, 1 shirt.
Malaysia: Tennis shoes, 1 shirt, belt, E-mergency packs, golf ball, underwear, zip lock bags, headbands, socks, sunglasses, bug lotion, small bag.
Indonesia: I will get rid of- my sleeping sheet, flipflops, knee-length skirt, sports bras.
This is why I have decided to write my final packing list. I got rid of so many items with relative ease because I knew the Lord would provide for me. If I needed something I didn’t have often one of my teammates would still have it, or I would be able to get it nearby. What I’m trying to say is you don’t need to bring everything you could possibly think you will need. There are grocery stores around the world, clothes are cheap most of the time and adaptors can be picked up for about a dollar.
My Final Packing List
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Clothing:
Toiletries:
Other:
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Technology:
Sleeping:
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I sill recommend making a packing list, but you don’t need to go overboard. Before you leave, take time to pray about items that you are unsure of. Above all else, DO NOT bring something you don’t use at home! You still will not use it on the Race. Trust me!
My pack started at 48 lbs, it is currently at 31 lbs and I still have the Indonesia items to drop! The lighter the better!
Abandonment.
Minimalism.
Living on a needs basis.
Live is much more fruitful when you choose to live this way. I challenge you to try it.
