The Packing Dilemma

As I prepared for a 2-month trip to the Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland, I had a huge dilemma: I could only take a carry-on suitcase. Well, I didn't have to take a carry-on only, but I would have to store my suitcase in a public locker for a week during the Scottish Tour. I wasn't willing to do that. Besides, it would be much easier to carry the smaller suitcase around than lug a regular checked baggage onto public transportation and around city streets. I decided to take a week's worth of clothes with me; I could get 2 weeks out of it and then wash in my lodging. 

The "Stuff"

In my suitcase:

3 Baleaf Yoga Dress Pants (black, brown, khaki)

2 Active Pants (gray, blue-the blue one is not this brand but is very similar)

1 Cuddl duds bottom (because the active pants are pretty thin...I may need that extra layer, especially at the beginning of my trip) 

1 Fleece-lined, waterproof pants

2 Fleece Tops (black, olive)

5 Long-sleeved & 3/4 sleeved shirts

2 Short-sleeved shirts

1 Pair of pajamas

6 Pairs of underwear

1 Bra

6 Pairs of socks (2 are Merino Wool)

Boots (Lightweight and very comfortable)

Toiletry bag (which won't have much in it since everywhere I'm staying will provide toiletries)

Door lock (Peace of mind/extra security)

Laundry Sheets

Quick-dry towel

Retractable portable clothesline

Universal Travel Adapter (as a backup for the PWR Travel Pro-see below)

Daypack

Crossbody

Cardigan

Z-Pack (Just in case)

In my backpack:

A pair of jeans and underwear in a compression cube

Packable raincoat and down long jacket

2 portable chargers (1 is a backup ): The PWRMobile PWR Travel Pro lets me charge up to 5 devices (although the cord for my phone doesn't charge it for some reason), has 3 different adapters, and also has wireless charging 

Sneakers (Very lightweight and super comfy)

Earplanes (Seriously...these work wonders!)

Airfly

Earbuds

Neck travel pillow & mask (The last overnight flight I was on was the first time I used these...it was also the first time I actually slept on a plane!)

Nustrips (This also helped me sleep on the plane)

Medicine

Glasses/contacts

Owala Water Bottle

Tablet

Making It All Fit

Let me preface this by saying I'm not a small woman, so my clothes are not small either. I really like Baleaf because the material is not only light but also quick-drying. I can wash the pants, hang them up, and they'll be dry the next day. 

As I look back over the list, it looks like a lot, but it really does fit into my carry-on and backpack. Once I get to my first destination, I'll unpack and reassess as needed. 

I started "practice packing" a couple of months before the trip because I can get a bit OCD and anxious about stuff. I didn't want to be kept up at night as the trip got closer because I wasn't going to be able to fit everything in my suitcase.

First, I tried compression cubes only. I did it, but it was tight. I'm finding that the compression cubes limit how the clothes go in the suitcase. I also am finding that I tend to overpack the cube, so they're bulky and take up a lot more room than I think they should.

This isn't all of my clothes in these 2 cubes; just the pants in 1 and the fleeces in the other

I was curious to see what would happen with the vacuum bags. I know there are people who swear by them. I put the pants in 1 bag and all of the shirts in the other. I placed the pants on 1 side of the suitcase and the shirts on the other side. I put the pants on top of the first layer in the suitcase.

As I opened the suitcase, this is the very top layer

When I unzipped one side, this was the top layer

And then under that: shirts, underwear, pjs

The top layer of the other side was the bag that held my pants

The bottom layer

The result: I had a hard time zipping my suitcase closed. It was bulging a bit. So, back to the drawing board. I decided to do a combination of cubes for my fleeces & pants, then use the bag for the shirts. It worked a little better.

Shirts on top

Under the shirts (I forgot how I configured my boots from last try; this way didn't work as well)
Quick dry towel and cuddl dud are in the compression bag

Pants in the big bag, 2 short-sleeved shirts in the small

The suitcase closed more easily, but it was still a bit tight. Once again to the drawing board. This time, I didn't use any kind of compression. I used a mixture of folding my clothes in thirds and rolling.

There are all of my clothes (except for fleeced pants, underwear & socks) on 1 side of the suitcase

WINNER!

I think I have a winner! I watched a video explaining how to correctly use a packing cube. The purpose of the cube is important: is it for organization or for saving space? For me, on this trip, it's definitely to save space. So, I will be foregoing the bags and cubes. I think I can save more space with my clothes by folding and rolling better, as seen in this video. Since I was able to fit almost all of my clothes on 1 side (except for my socks, which will go in my boots, cardigan, fleeced pants, and underwear), that leaves me with a lot of space on the other side of my suitcase. That makes me feel so much better!