Here are the stages of, “Sooo I have to pack everything that I need for a year into a 65 Liter backpack?” procrastination that I’ve experienced so far.
1. Denial
I mean, it’s pretty much still packed up from training camp anyway. AND since I normally pack for a week-long beach trip the night before, a trip in which I can only fit my stuff into ONE backpack should actually take less time, right? OF COURSE.
2. Anxiety
I just got a snapchat from my team leader who is finished packing, and I haven’t even gotten all of my stuff! I have to get a maxi skirt… from where?? I don’t think I’ve ever even tried one of those on. And what kind of trip requires you to order a one piece bathing suit and new leggings at the same time? I hope I didn’t wait too long to ask for my Charles Schwab international checking card in the mail. You know what? I’m just going to…
3. Pray
Every blog I read says racers think back to how much they stressed during packing and laugh. I have enough reasons to laugh at myself, so I’m not going to worry at all! I’ll just bring minimal clothes and pick stuff up along the way. After all, living in community is what it’s all about, right? Jesus will provide if I leave something out. No need to have a heart attack.
4. Underestimating the time it takes to do EVERYTHING
Just a quick trip to Baton Rouge to pick up the last few things I need? 5 hours later, I’ve only gotten tennis shoes and a pair of earphones. 3 stores later and I have yet to find a maxi skirt… Maybe I’ll make one like I saw on pinterest. That should only take a couple of hours right? Definitely. Oh, and the 5 min I thought it would take to deflate my sleeping pad and roll it back up just like it came in its itsy bitsy, minuscule REI packaging? I’ll let you know when I achieve that.
5. Beginning to pack 7 days before launch
I might be starting later than most, but this is actually the earliest I’ve ever done ANYTHING in my life before. How could I not be proud of myself? I’ve worked hard on this extremely disorganized, practically illegible packing list for HOURS, and I’ve laid out all of my gear and packing cubes on the bed. If that doesn’t deserve a break, I don’t know what does!
Just a little honest humor about meshing my personality with this seemingly impossible task of packing for the World Race. I refuse to acknowledge that I wrote this as a method of procrastination. Blogging is just as productive. Life is too short to stress… I’ll finish the rest tomorrow.
