Packing. Minimalist Version

Hello everyone!

I am leaving tonight on a red eye flight to NYC!!!  Foulger Music Festival starts on July 1st, and I will be spending a couple of days with my friend Timmay (Tim Paek) and his wonderful family before the festival starts.  Usually, I would have started packing a couple of days in advance, but this time around, I didn't get to start packing until last night. eek. Within the first 5 min of packing, the room was a mess, and I was panicking a tinsy bit.  My parents always say that I carry my whole closet and wardrobe with me when I travel, and though I always deny it, it's mostly true.  So this time, I set a goal for myself to pack only the minimal amount of clothing and accessories, use only 1 medium sized suitcase (and a carry on rolly), and be under the 50 pounds limit.  This, my friends, is a tall order.  However, since I will only be gone for only 4 weeks this time around (in the past it's been 5-6 weeks), I thought I could manage... perhaps.

I started out by throwing down what I thought I needed, but this soon became a mountain of clothes...

Below shows my progress only about a minute into this process.  

Obviously, this wasn't going to work.  

So I began to categorize the clothes to see exactly how many of each I was bringing, 

and this actually helped to minimize the wardrobe selection quite a bit!

I started with the dresses because they are something I absolutely need.  I will be wearing them not only to perform, but also to attend other performances.

I packed 2 full length gowns, 5 shorter dresses, and 2 maxi dresses.

Then, the tops.. These are always the hardest for me to whittle down...

but I chose 6 sleeveless blouses and tops and 6 short sleeved blouses and tops for everyday wear. 

And just in case it gets cold, I also packed 3 longer sleeved shirts, 2 cardigans, and 1 sweater-ish top.

I hear it's like an oven in New Jersey (where Foulger is), so I probably won't need the warmer tops,, 

but better safe than sorry!

bottoms are where I tried to minimize the most,, and I can see myself throwing in a couple more in my suitcase as I am heading out the door.  I don't know if I can survive on such few items of clothing 

for the bottom half of my body!  for 4 weeks!

It's only 1 pair of pants, 1 pair of capris, 2 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of leggings, and 1 skirt.

I try to tell myself that it's alright because I also have the dresses...

ok. I'm going to have to throw in another pair of shorts and another skirt. 

and maybe another pair of leggings..

Then, I packed the basics, the necessities, like camis, pjs, etc.

6 tank tops, 2 shirts, 2 workout shorts, and 1 pair of pj pants.

These will probably all be worn for sleeping.  I'm not even packing tennis shoes because every year I tell myself I will run, and I don't end up doing anything of the sort.  Maybe I'll do some yoga.

Accessories were pretty easy.  I don't wear that much jewelry because violin playing is not very conducive to jewelry wearing,, at least not for me.  I've lost so many earrings because I take them off to play and never remember to pick it up; I can't wear rings on my left hand because it gets in the way of playing;

necklaces fight the losing battle against my violin for a space on my neck; 

and bracelets,, well, they get in the way on both of the arms when I play.

 so 4 belts and 2 boxes of jewelry 

(only because pearls take up a lot of space in those boxes--it could have been 1 box).

 and TADA!!!  all ready to go!

I really can't believe how little I am packing!  We'll see if it actually works out...  My grandma still thinks I'm packing too much, but I just don't know what else I can cut out. 

I keep reminding her that I will be gone for 4 weeks (emphasizing the 4 to show how long of a time that is), but she seems to think that's the reason I should cut some more  haha.  Baby steps, grandma, baby steps... Though this was definitely a huge step for me.

Do you overpack?  What do you do when you are trying to pack less?

Thanks so much for reading!

--Janny